There are some destinations around the world with so much history, acclaim, and grandeur that travelers show up in droves to get a piece of the pie. You know the places (likely because you’ve seen them in recent news). Places like Venice, Barcelona, Greece, and Bali.
The flip side of this fame is that many of the sites in these locations were not set up for the influx of tourists year after year, so too many visitors leads to negative social and environmental effects, resulting in overtourism. And while local governments try to keep pace with the rising popularity by way of renovations and improved infrastructure, updates can only happen so quickly—meaning tourists arrive and often there’s still work to be done.
Just as important, the influx of tourists inadvertently leads to difficulties for local communities. When tourists visit, they tend to spend more money on things like accommodations, transportation, and food than they would when they’re home, increasing the demand for goods and services. Higher demand means higher prices, which in many cases pushes the locals out (or at the very least makes things difficult for them financially).
While we’re not in the business of discouraging travel, it is our responsibility to encourage responsible travel, starting with how you can strike the fine balance between supporting local economies while ensuring that locals are able to continue living healthy, fulfilling lives.
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How can you avoid contributing to overtourism?
Consider a different destination: This may go without saying, but not traveling somewhere that sees an exorbitant amount of tourists is a great way to avoid contributing to overtourism. After all, there are tons of other places around the world that are worth a visit, see far fewer tourists, and would benefit from your tourist dollars. That being said, popular destinations are popular for a reason, so read on for how to minimize your impact if you do go.
Travel during shoulder season: Or better yet, off season. If you’re set on visiting a popular destination, this can be a great way to skip the lines, avoid overloading local communities, and save a buck to boot. Good travel windows tend to be September to early November, March to May, and January to February in much of the northern hemisphere, which sees the fewest number of tourists out of the whole year.
Time your excursions right: Summer and winter holidays are popular for a reason—kids are out of school and most people are ready for an escape. If traveling during these periods is a must, buy tickets to attractions in advance. As far as tours and attractions, either aim to schedule the first of the day and get to famous sites as early as possible to avoid mid-morning and midday crowds, or target the evening and end-of-day activities when most folks are heading to dinner.
Book tours that showcase sites in a different light: Opt for slightly-offbeat excursions. They tend to have shorter waitlists, go off the beaten path, and may even be slightly more affordable. And if you’re curious whether a tour truly feels like a local experience versus a tourist trap, just ask a bartender or waiter at a restaurant that you visit. They don’t have anything to lose and will likely give you their genuine opinion on whether it’s an experience worth investing in.
“On a recent trip to Athens, there was a pedal bike tour that biked past most of the notable sites in Athens,” says Going spokesperson Katy Nastro. “While we didn’t gain entrance to the Acropolis itself, the guide was super-informative in suggesting when to go and what you could consider skipping based on your preferences. They even suggested a trip to a lake outside of Athens, which I never would’ve thought to visit but ended up being my favorite part of the trip!”
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Consider day trips: Whether that means staying in the city and heading out for excursions to small towns, sites, or beaches during your stay, or staying farther afield and taking a day trip into the busy, city center to soak up the iconic sites. Both can relieve pressure on local economies and disperse resources.
Book the right accommodations: Staying in established, locally owned hotels or B&Bs helps you directly support the local economy and avoid indirectly displacing residents due to short-term rentals. These accommodations typically follow regulations, promote more sustainable practices, manage tourist numbers more responsibly, and are less likely to strain infrastructure. Also, book directly with the hotel or B&B rather than through a third party if possible.
Buy local: Purchasing your goods and services from local vendors and artisans ensures your spending directly supports the local community rather than large, external businesses that may not reinvest in the area. It also helps preserve local cultures and traditions.
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What to do if you’re traveling to an overtouristed destination
A Google search will tell you pretty quickly if the destination you’re headed to is experiencing an unsustainable influx of tourists. Once you’re equipped with the knowledge that there is a general sense of anti-tourism, ask yourself what you’re comfortable with.
While there have been protests in destinations around the world, including in aforementioned Venice and Barcelona, there haven’t been reports of locals causing violent harm to tourists. Perhaps most notably, locals have taken to spraying visitors with water guns in Barcelona. While the protests haven’t turned physically violent, some may find the situation to be uncomfortable. Let this inform your decision on whether you’d like to continue with the trip and the sorts of activities you’ll do or areas you’ll visit if you proceed.
It’s important to note that often locals tend not to necessarily be angry with the tourists themselves, but rather with the city officials who’ve helped facilitate the overtourism, which results in locals being priced out of the area or crowded out of certain sites.
There are some things that you can do to avoid finding yourself in the middle of the action.
Before you travel: In some cases, protests may be designated to certain days. Follow local news organizations to know when and where protests are likely to take place. Note that local stations are likely to give you more accurate and timely information than US-based outlets, in which case Google Translate might come in handy for translating articles.
Also, note the nearest US embassy in your destination, should you need to get in contact.
While you’re traveling: Try to steer clear of meeting areas where protests are scheduled to occur. And if there is a planned protest while you are visiting, opt for a day trip outside of the city. It’ll help you avoid the tension and may even end up being your favorite part of the trip!
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Resources
Want to learn more about overtourism and how you can help preserve your favorite destinations? Check out these resources:
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Sustainable Travel International: offers a downloadable sustainable travel tips list
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Center for Responsible Travel: provides research-based suggestions to promote responsible tourism
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UN World Tourism Organization: a leader in research and policy recommendations, including a code of ethical tourism
Travel companies
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Responsible Travel: offers tours that focus on minimizing environmental and social impact, broken down by destination, trip type, and even last-minute options
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Intrepid: certified B Corp that specializes in small-group trips led by locals
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Regenerative Travel: marketplace of hotels dedicated to environmental responsibility and positive community impact
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Traverse Journeys: Female-founded small-group tour company that prioritizes shoulder season travel when possible and builds a community partner into each trip so travelers can connect with locals
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