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Skal Europe Academy with Josep Ejarque

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On April 3rd at 6 PM Skal Europe is holding the first continental webinar, organized by Skal Italia in English. The subject is fascinating for all the destinations rebuilding tourism after Covid, particularly those with over-demand and over-exploitation of resources.

Josep Ejarque is a Destination Marketing and Destination Management Professional, working in the tourism sector since 1985. From 1985 to 1995, Head of Marketing and Communication of the Tourist Board of Catalonia and Barcelona. From 1995 to 1999 he was responsible for the management of the Tourist Board of Corunna, in Spain. From 1999 to 2005, he worked in Turin as director of the Turin Tourism Board, responsible for the Destination Management and Marketing of the city of Turin and for the organization of the XX Olympic Winter Games. From the beginning of 2006 and until 2008 he was general manager of the Regional Agency for Tourism of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Turismo Fvg. Today he is president of Four Tourism, a consultancy company specializing in tourism management and marketing of tourist destinations.

Josep Ejarque specializes in Destination Management and Destination Marketing. Tourism policies, business management, planning for the definition of marketing and communication strategies, management and creation of tourism services and products.

The Zoom connection link

Skal Europe Academy – “Close number in touristic Municipalities” Josep Ejarque
Time: 3 April 2023 06:00 PM Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Wien

Zoom meeting link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87886206697?pwd=bm9wd2QrVHVUSHJtaDlvNUxNZzJMQT09

Meeting ID: 878 8620 6697
Passcode: 670756

Or click the button below

Go to Josep Ejarque's Webinar

About over-crowded destinations

Overcrowded tourism destinations can have devastating effects on natural, cultural, and social resources. Venice and Prague are prime examples of popular tourist destinations that have suffered from overcrowding in recent years. In 2010, Venice saw around 18 million tourists, and Prague had around 4.1 million visitors. These numbers steadily increased over the years, with Venice having around 25 million visitors in 2019 and Prague having around 9.2 million visitors in the same year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists drastically reduced in 2020, with Venice having only 5.3 million visitors, and Prague having only 1.9 million visitors.

The increased number of tourists has led to a depletion of natural resources in these cities. Venice's lagoon has suffered from pollution and erosion, and the constant flow of tourists has contributed to the problem. Similarly, Prague's Old Town has been worn down by the constant foot traffic, and the city's air quality has suffered due to increased traffic congestion. The cultural and social resources of these cities have also been affected, with residents feeling the pressure of constant tourism and struggling to maintain their way of life. In Venice, the population has declined drastically in recent years, as many locals have been priced out of the city due to rising living costs.

The over-tourism of Venice and Prague serves as a warning of what can happen when the number of tourists exceeds the capacity of a destination. It is important to take measures to ensure sustainable tourism practices to protect these valuable resources for future generations.

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