Spatial Morphology of Overtourism Perception: A Qualitative Study of Morphological Pathologies in Iconic Tourism Destinations

Li Ziming; Zhang Jiahao

doi:10.58683/sp.2180

Published : 2026-07-11

Vol. 50 No. 2 (2026)

Spatial Morphology of Overtourism Perception: A Qualitative Study of Morphological Pathologies in Iconic Tourism Destinations

Li Ziming

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2911-4291

Zhang Jiahao

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0379-4494

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58683/sp.2180

Abstract

This study examines how spatial morphology shapes tourists’ perception of overtourism in iconic Chinese destinations and their resulting dissatisfaction. The author adopts a qualitative multiple-case design and Gioia-informed coding to analyse 120 digital complaint narratives from the Forbidden City, West Lake, and Gulangyu. Three morphology-related mechanisms are identified: funnelled immobility in enclosed heritage sites, persistent ambient density in open landscapes, and infrastructural compounding in island destinations. These mechanisms show that tourists’ dissatisfaction is not simply the result of high numbers of visitors but also stems from how access, circulation, visibility, and transport interfaces mediate crowd pressure. The study advances a morphology-sensitive understanding of overtourism perception and suggests that destination governance should go beyond generic crowd control and include targeted interventions at spatial interfaces where crowding becomes experientially harmful.

Keywords:

overtourism, spatial morphology, perceived crowding, tourist dissatisfaction, destination governance

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Ziming, L., & Jiahao, Z. (2026). Spatial Morphology of Overtourism Perception: A Qualitative Study of Morphological Pathologies in Iconic Tourism Destinations. Studia Periegetica, 50(2), 2180. https://doi.org/10.58683/sp.2180

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Li Ziming

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2911-4291

Affiliation:

Centre for Sustainable Urban Planning and Real Estate (SUPRE), Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

Zhang Jiahao

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0379-4494

Affiliation:

Department of Economics, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia