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Jeroen Bryon Ph.D

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Overtourism is fake news. Here’s why (3/5). 💥 The third myth around overtourism: it suggests that tourism is the major force of change in a destination. In reality, it often confuses correlation… | Jeroen Bryon, Ph.D | 15 comments

🏠 In university towns like Leuven, housing prices soar due to students and academics, while in Bruges, tourism is blamed. Brussels faces price hikes from EU institutions and expats, not tourism. Retail changes worldwide are driven by globalization, not just tourism. Questions arise around the real causes of these shifts, and if tourism is unfairly blamed. Key questions involve understanding cultural and economic drivers beyond tourism, and whether changes would occur even without tourist influence.
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Overtourism is fake news. Here’s why (2/5). 💥 In my last post, I argued that overtourism is a myth – fake news that needs to be debunked. Today, let’s tackle the second myth: the idea that at some… | Jeroen Bryon, Ph.D

📈 In 1975, George Doxey introduced the "Irridex" suggesting locals' attitudes shift from euphoria to antagonism as tourism grows. Richard Butler's "Tourism Area Life Cycle" claimed stagnation leads to inevitable overcrowding. However, no study has found a definitive "carrying capacity" for tourists. Butler later revised his views. While places like Bruges, Venice, and Barcelona face overtourism, many destinations struggle with undertourism. Effective policies can manage tourism, challenging the inevitability of overtourism.
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Overtourism is fake news. Sorry to disappoint you. 👨🏼‍🎓 Exactly 20 years ago, on September 27th, 2005, I defended my PhD at KU Leuven. The conclusion of six years of hard work. Six years of… | Jeroen Bryon, Ph.D | 30 comments

🌍 Sustainable tourism, defined by the UNWTO, considers the economic, social, and environmental impacts for both current and future scenarios. It addresses the needs of visitors, industries, environments, and host communities. Despite the various types of tourists like business, student, cultural, and holiday tourists, misconceptions persist. The essence of tourism involves co-creation with locals and conscious travel, yet one remains a tourist regardless. The real distinction lies in contributing to more sustainable and meaningful travel.
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  • 2 min

Overtourism is fake news. Here’s why (4/5).

📊 Bruges, 2023: Research by Bart Neuts highlights overcrowding perception costs, challenging overtourism myths. Local interviews reveal seasonal peaks, with "red flag streets" in the "golden triangle," a 1990s designated tourism area, now a hotspot. Concentration increases overcrowding perceptions, hindering tourism distribution. Solutions include AI models and dynamic pricing, demanding investment in attractions, mobility, and marketing. High costs question commitment to true redistribution. Beauty's universal appeal drives tourism, urging urban planning to integrate aesthetics broadly.
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