Could Port Douglas hit a "tourism tipping point"?
Tourism Study
Could Port Douglas be at risk of “overtourism” eating away at our community participation and fabric?
A Bond University research says as a top tourist destination, Port Douglas should at very least monitor civic participation as an early warning sign of overtourism, citing a new study of 42 Italian cities which found community participation held steady at low and moderate levels of tourism but fell sharply in cities with the highest visitor pressure.
But Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer Emma Tunnock says tourism’s significant role in the region means it is particularly important that a strong visitor economy goes hand-in-hand with a thriving local community.
“Tourism is the lifeblood of the Port Douglas and Daintree economy, supporting up to one in two local jobs, along with businesses and services that contribute to a vibrant and connected community,” Ms Tunnock said.
The Bond University study examined visitor hotspots including Venice, Florence, Rome and Milan between 2009 and 2023.
Researchers measured community life by creating an index tracking volunteering, involvement in local organisations, attendance at cultural events, voter turnout and crime.
The study found declines in community participation were most pronounced in destinations experiencing the highest levels of tourism pressure.
Venice offers one of the clearest examples. The population of its historic centre has fallen from more than 174,000 residents in 1951 to fewer than 50,000, while tourist accommodation has increased.
The researchers argue cities under intense visitor pressure risk becoming places designed primarily for tourists rather than communities built around residents.
One of the study’s authors, Bond University honorary adjunct senior research fellow Edmund Goh, said the findings did not mean tourism inevitably damaged communities.
“Tourism can support jobs, amenities and community life,” Professor Goh said.
“The concern is whether its scale and concentration begin to undermine the community that helps make the destination attractive in the first place.”
Rising visitor numbers are often cited as a metric of success but Professor Goh said the raw numbers revealed little about the health of the communities hosting visitors.
“Visitor numbers and community health should be measured together,” he said.
“Important warning signs include visitor nights growing faster than the resident population, increasing conversion of residential homes to short stays, and declining participation in local organisations or volunteering.
“I would also track resident turnover such as relocating to other suburbs or interstate, access to everyday services, housing stress and residents’ sense of belonging and influence over local decisions.
“The strongest warning is several indicators worsening together over time.”
In Australia, concerns about tourism pressure have emerged in destinations including Byron Bay, Noosa and parts of the Gold Coast, particularly around housing availability, short-term accommodation and infrastructure.
“If permanent households are replaced by rotating short-stay guests, a neighbourhood can lose people who sustain its everyday networks such as volunteers, club members, neighbours and regular participants in local activities,” Professor Goh said.
Residents who move further away may also find it more difficult to participate in community life.
Mayor Lisa Scomazzon said tourism and liveability must go hand in hand.
“Tourism is a vital part of the Douglas Shire economy, supporting local jobs, businesses and community services. Council’s focus is on growing the visitor economy sustainably while protecting the lifestyle and natural assets that make our region so attractive to both residents and visitors,” Mayor Scomazzon said.
“The local accommodation sector records occupancy of between 65 and 85 per cent for five months of the year, demonstrating a clear opportunity to attract more visitation, explore ways to extend the tourism season and disperse our visitors beyond Port Douglas. These figures do not indicate the sustained demand levels typically associated with overtourism.
“The residential vacancy rate for Port Douglas currently sits at four per cent, which is similar to pre-COVID levels and suggests housing availability remains relatively stable, including during peak tourism periods.
“Our goal is to ensure Douglas Shire remains a great place to live, work, invest and visit, while continuing to support a strong and sustainable tourism industry.”
TPDD is currently leading the development of a new Destination Management Plan in collaboration with Douglas Shire Council. The process will involve engagement with industry, community and key stakeholders, providing an important opportunity to consider the future of tourism in our region, including how we balance economic opportunity with community wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
“We are also progressing work around social impact measurement to better understand tourism's contribution to community wellbeing and identify opportunities to strengthen positive outcomes over time,” Ms Tunnock said.
“Community sentiment and engagement will be important considerations as this work progresses.
“We must also recognise the importance of maintaining a strong and viable year-round visitor economy. Encouraging visitation during our shoulder and summer seasons helps support local businesses, sustain employment and provide greater economic stability across the year, while also recognising the importance of balancing visitor demand with infrastructure capacity and community needs.”
The study Cities under pressure: Tourism intensity and the erosion of social capital in Italy was published in Tourism Management.
It was co-authored by Assistant Professor Filippo Marchesani of University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Assistant Professor Stefania Denise Escobar of Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and Professor Federica Ceci of University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara.
