In recent years, the phenomenon of overtourism has emerged as a critical challenge for urban centers globally, often straining the delicate balance between economic gain and social harmony. While tourism undeniably injects vitality into local economies, excessive tourist influx can disrupt residential life, alter urban landscapes, and foster tensions between visitors and long-term inhabitants. Recognizing these complexities, a pioneering study led by Junior Associate Professor Haruka Kato at Osaka Metropolitan University delves into the spatial dynamics of tourism accommodation in Kyoto, one of Japan’s foremost cultural and historic cities. This research meticulously quantifies the intensity of tourism accommodation relative to residential presence, ultimately unveiling intricate geographic patterns that underscore the pressing need for nuanced urban management.
Kyoto, renowned worldwide for its rich heritage, receives millions of visitors annually, drawn to its temples, shrines, and traditional districts. Consequently, the proliferation of tourism accommodations—ranging from hotels to short-term rental apartments—has surged, raising concerns about the potential erosion of local neighborhoods’ character. To systematically evaluate this phenomenon, Professor Kato developed the tourism-accommodation intensity index, a metric computed as the ratio of accommodation rooms to residential households within discrete neighborhood units across the city. This index serves as an objective measure to identify whether tourist accommodations have overtaken the residential fabric in specific areas, thereby signaling hotspots of touristification.
Employing rigorous data collection methods and advanced spatial statistical analyses, the study mapped Kyoto’s urban landscape, detecting significant concentrations of tourism accommodation that surpassed the number of residential households. The analysis revealed six distinct neighborhood-units on the southeastern periphery of Kyoto’s historic city center where the intensity index crossed the critical threshold of 1.0. In these hotspots, the quantity of accommodation rooms exceeded that of homes, indicating not just high tourist presence but an explicit imbalance detrimental to the residential environment.
One of the key findings from this spatial investigation is the correlation between tourism accommodation intensity and proximity to transportation hubs. Neighborhoods in close vicinity to major train and bus stations demonstrated a higher propensity for accommodation hotspots. This trend suggests that accessibility plays a pivotal role in shaping the distribution of tourist facilities, with businesses and property owners gravitating towards areas that offer seamless connectivity for visitors. While this pattern inherently aligns with tourist convenience, it concurrently exacerbates spatial inequalities by concentrating overtourism effects in transport-linked neighborhoods.
Beyond purely geographic observations, the study integrates socioeconomic implications tied to these hotspots. The dislocation and displacement risks for local residents become pronounced as living spaces diminish in favor of lodging establishments. Such transformations can lead to heightened property prices, altered commercial landscapes favoring visitor-centric services, and ultimately, a reduction in the vibrancy of traditional community networks. The findings from this research illuminate how unregulated growth in tourism accommodations may fracture urban social fabrics, creating enclaves optimized for transient populations at the expense of locals.
In light of these insights, Professor Kato’s research underscores the urgent necessity for refined urban planning and zoning policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of overtourism. Data-driven zoning strategies could empower municipal authorities to regulate the density and distribution of accommodation facilities, particularly near critical transport nodes and heritage zones. Implementing such measures would not only preserve residential integrity but also sustain the cultural ambiance that forms the backbone of Kyoto’s tourist appeal.
Moreover, the methodological approach characterizing this study represents a significant advancement in urban tourism research. By developing a quantifiable intensity index that incorporates both accommodation density and household counts, the research delivers a replicable framework for examining similar dynamics in other tourist-heavy cities worldwide. The integration of spatial statistics offers policymakers a robust analytic tool for ongoing monitoring and adaptive governance in the face of evolving urban-tourist interactions.
It is noteworthy that this research relied on comprehensive datasets encompassing accommodation facility registries and residential census data, analyzed through geographic information system (GIS) technology. Such a blend of data sources and spatial analytics facilitated precise mapping and pattern recognition, reinforcing the credibility and applicability of the conclusions drawn. Through this lens, the study positions itself at the intersection of urban planning, tourism studies, and social geography, contributing a multidimensional understanding of the challenges posed by tourism accommodation growth.
The timing of these findings is particularly relevant as cities globally grapple with sustainable tourism models post-pandemic. The abrupt shifts in travel behaviors and evolving regulatory environments emphasize the importance of evidence-based policies tailored to mitigate overtourism’s externalities. Kyoto’s experience, as detailed in Professor Kato’s research, offers both cautionary insights and strategic pathways for harmonizing tourism development with community well-being.
Furthermore, the study advocates for increased collaboration between stakeholders, including municipal planners, local residents, tourism industry operators, and transportation agencies. Such multi-sectoral engagement is vital to crafting interventions that balance competing interests and safeguard urban liveability. By fostering open communication channels and leveraging spatial data analytics, cities can navigate the complex terrain of tourism accommodation management with greater precision and inclusivity.
Beyond immediate urban governance implications, the research invites further scholarly inquiry into the nuanced socioeconomic impacts of tourism accommodation intensification. Future studies could explore longitudinal effects on demographic shifts, housing affordability, and cultural heritage conservation. Additionally, comparative analyses across diverse urban contexts could identify universal patterns and locally contingent variables influencing tourism accommodation dynamics.
In synthesizing quantitative metrics with spatial and sociocultural analyses, this investigation embodies a forward-thinking paradigm essential for addressing contemporary challenges posed by global tourism flows. Kyoto’s example, illuminated through the tourism-accommodation intensity index, offers a compelling case study for cities worldwide striving to balance economic opportunity with preserving urban identity and residential stability.
As urban landscapes continue to evolve under the pressure of global mobility and tourism demand, the insights derived from this study provide a critical foundation for informed policymaking and sustainable city management. Professor Kato’s work exemplifies how empirical research, grounded in rigorous data analysis and spatial understanding, can shape effective strategies that promote harmonious coexistence between residents and visitors in cherished urban heritage sites.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: Spatial patterns and geographic characteristics of tourism-accommodation intensity hotspots in Kyoto city
News Publication Date: 19-Apr-2025
Web References: 10.1016/j.annale.2025.100178
References: Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights
Image Credits: Haruka Kato, Osaka Metropolitan University
Keywords: overtourism, tourism-accommodation intensity, urban planning, Kyoto, spatial analysis, zoning policy, tourism hotspots, accommodation density, geographic information systems, sustainable tourism, urban sociology, transportation hubs
