The Role of Tourism Education in Overtourism and Destination Management

A proposed walking route for young visitors in Coimbra, Portugal, demonstrates how cultural tourism can mitigate overtourism by engaging families and fostering local development through non-formal educational programs. The study suggests that well-designed heritage interpretation products for youth can raise awareness of cultural conservation while diversifying tourist experiences. Researchers analyzed socio-economic, cultural, and attitudinal impacts of UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) designation on Coimbra’s Alta and Sofia districts, combining literature reviews with surveys to inform the route’s design. Findings highlight the potential for destination managers to enhance competitiveness by integrating informal educational activities that satisfy young and family tourists while strengthening local value creation.

Carreira, V., Azeredo, J., González-Rodríguez, M. R., & Díaz-Fernández, M. C. (2021). The Role of Tourism Education in Overtourism and Destination Management. Overtourism as Destination Risk, 35–48. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83909-706-520211003