How mass tourism is endangering the Dolomites

Overview

Mass tourism in South Tyrol is endangering the unique beauty of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region has just 530,000 inhabitants, while as many as 33 million overnight stays are recorded every year. Too many, according to locals. With the South Tyrolean government's Tourism Development Concept 2030+, the debate over how to deal with the region’s natural heritage has grown heated. What is a World Heritage designation actually worth? Does it really help to protect a unique landscape - or just serve to market it?