Beyond the Hotspots: A Framework for Identifying and Evaluating Alternative Attractions to Counter Overtourism

Historic cities facing overtourism require evidence-based visitor dispersal to balance tourism growth with sustainable destination development. Focusing on Kyoto City, Japan, this study proposes an integrated analytical framework that combines objective tourism supply (POIs) and tourism demand (GPS trajectories) with visitor subjective perceptions from online tourist reviews to identify Alternative Attractions for Visitor Dispersal and evaluate their Composite Attractiveness. We (i) map supply–demand patterns to distinguish Hotspot Attractions versus Alternative Attractions (high-supply/low-demand); (ii) quantify Subjective Perceptions via an Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis pipeline (ABSA) across landscape, experience, service, and transportation; and (iii) embed these sentiments into an improved Two-Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) method that reframes accessibility from “reaching places” to “attaining high-quality experiences.” Kyoto exhibits a marked supply–demand mismatch, with Alternative Attractions concentrated around Fushimi, Sakyo (Nanzen-ji area), and outer Arashiyama. Negative perceptions (e.g., crowding) diminish the attractiveness of central Hotspot Attractions, whereas positive perceptions (e.g., pleasant atmosphere) enhance the attractiveness of peripheral Alternative Attractions, offsetting locational disadvantages. This framework offers not only data-driven support for Kyoto but also a replicable, experience-oriented model for sustainable tourism spatial management in other similarly challenged destinations.