Abstract
Overtourism in Alpine destinations is often framed as a seasonal and spatial imbalance rather than an absolute numbers problem. This presentation examines South Tyrol (Alto Adige) and Trentino to link concepts of the tourism product and mountain tourism to recent dynamics in flows, capacity and impacts. Using official statistics and the South Tyrol Sustainable Tourism Observatory, we document rising arrivals (8.7m in 2024, +3.6%) and overnight stays (37.1m, +2.7%), alongside a strong summer concentration (≈60% of stays May–October; nearly half in June–September).
Foreign markets dominate in South Tyrol (72% of nights in 2024) while Trentino remains more domestic (58% in 2023). Accommodation capacity continues to expand, yet average gross occupancy approximates 40%, with higher rates in 4–5-star segments, indicating uneven use of beds over time and space.
These patterns amplify traffic on key changeover days, operating costs, pressure on hotspots and infrastructure, and resource intensities in water and energy. We argue that effective responses should target shoulder months, diversify products and origin markets, and coordinate visitor management at the scale of places and mobility corridors. Continuous monitoring through harmonized indicators supports evidence-based dialogue and policy for a balanced, resilient visitor economy, grounded in local partnerships and international frameworks.