Excessive tourism in rural areas and possible solutions: A case study from the Czech Republic

Abstract

This study analyzes a specific case where local government utilized legislative tools to limit excessive tourism and assesses the impact of these measures on the tourism-saturated Pálava region in the Czech Republic. The initial research, conducted in 2021, focused on residents’ perceptions of tourism in the village of Dolní Věstonice, Czech Republic. A follow-up survey was carried out in 2024 to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented measures. Qualitative research primarily relied on primary data obtained through surveys, supplemented by secondary data from the Czech Statistical Office and the South Moravian Tourism Authority. Surveys revealed that tourism had negatively impacted the quality of life of local residents. The main measure proposed and subsequently implemented was a change in the zoning plan, which designated areas where further expansion of accommodation facilities would no longer be permitted. Additionally, providers of short-term accommodations were required to secure private parking spaces for their guests. Results from the 2024 survey indicate that 75% of respondents perceive an improvement in the situation, attributing this to the implemented measures. Furthermore, a survey among entrepreneurs revealed that these changes had no negative impact on businesses, with systematic improvements in parking arrangements being positively evaluated.