Panic in Cotswolds as locals face 'threats of violence' over tourist nightmare

Local authorities have vowed to address the "overtourism nightmare" plaguing Bourton-on-the-Water, a village beset by coach parking chaos and irate visitors.

The idyllic village, often referred to as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds', is so overrun with tourists that the council has stopped promoting it.

The sight of throngs of tourists is nothing new for Bourton, but this year, the closure of the designated coach parking area has worsened traffic and parking issues.

Locals have voiced their frustrations over the coach parking mayhem, which has led to traffic nightmares and even "threats of violence" from disgruntled visitors during peak times earlier this year.

The problem of overtourism in Bourton was acknowledged by District Council leaders at the most recent full council meeting.

Councillor Jon Wareing called on council leaders to commit to sustainable tourism for the village.

Mr Wareing said: "The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines overtourism as 'the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or quality of visitor experiences in a negative way'

"Does the cabinet member responsible for the economy and council transformation agree with me that Bourton-on-the-Water suffers from overtourism on this basis?

"And will he commit to ensuring that Bourton can develop an approach to sustainable tourism while building a more resilient economy with retail services for the residents of Bourton and the wider North Cotswolds?

"This should include prioritising parking for residents and looking to support parking for visitor traffic on the periphery of the village."

Council leader Joe Harris said he shares the concerns about over-tourism in Bourton-on-the-Water. He said the village is a popular destination, evidenced by high visitor footfall.

Mr Harris replied: "While we lack specific survey data on perceptions of over-tourism, we acknowledge the strong sentiments of residents regarding the negative impacts on their quality of life due to excessive visitor numbers. Balancing the needs of local businesses benefiting from tourism with the quality of life of residents is crucial."

He revealed that his administration has already taken preliminary steps to tackle the problem, including implementing a tourism levy on parking specifically designated for initiatives to mitigate the impact of tourism on the village and promoting visitor dispersal and public transport.

However, he admitted that more comprehensive measures are needed to address the issue and confirmed that the chief executive will arrange a meeting with Cllr Wareing to discuss the matter and develop effective strategies for the village.

He added: "Cotswold District Council is reviewing its parking strategy to optimise the use of council assets for the benefit of both residents and the local economy.

"Input from residents, town and parish councils, and visitors has been sought to address immediate and long-term needs."