The Overtourism Paradox: How Iceland and Puerto Rico Expose Global Class Divides

Ten years after the term 'overtourism' entered the global lexicon, the travel industry's approach to destination management remains flawed. Originally designed by and for affluent Western nations, these frameworks often fail to account for the socioeconomic realities of less resilient economies. By comparing Iceland’s ability to use its sovereign wealth to manage visitor impacts with Puerto Rico’s struggle against predatory development and housing displacement, this analysis reveals a hidden class divide. The current travel model often functions as a form of resource extraction, where the comforts of the global tourist are subsidized by the loss of local community infrastructure and identity. Moving forward, the travel industry must transition from simple destination management toward a model of destination sovereignty. True sustainability requires prioritizing local community needs over the frictionless movement of travelers, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are not outweighed by social and environmental costs. The future of travel depends on this critical shift in perspective.