It’s so hard to say something about tourism in general. For each country the economic and environmental effects have been different. And over-tourism is a real problem.
But the reason why I still promote traveling is my belief that it indeed promotes understanding and tolerance. If we don’t visit one another, we have such a limited experience of life.
A limited experience of life and the ability and willingness to "others" people we don't know. I can't help but thing Western Europe has seen such a long period of peace is because those countries mix together so much more than before.
Great article with plenty of food for thought. I have not traveled as much as you but I agree there are a lot of places in Europe I will avoid in the summer now due to the intense heat, crowds and inflated prices. I went to Malaga city in February and it was lovely. Quite warm, no crowds or major queues (apart from the Picasso museum), and a pleasurable city to explore. But come to Killarney in summertime and it is swamped with tourists. And this what our local authorities and Government want.
Yeah it really depends doesn't it. It's definitely easy to sway over to negativity when you encounter crowds at certain places. I'm so reluctant now. I remember being at a viewing platform overlooking a fjord and wanting to shoot all the drones out the sky!
Thanks for this fantastic piece! You would definitely enjoy reading "The New Tourist" by Paige McClanahan--I believe her conclusion was that government is the only way to directly influence tourism, it's here no matter what and individual tourists can't really be responsible for it.
I think there is an aspect of tourism's upside/downside that is worthy of consideration: how does it affect the intangible aspects of a culture? For instance: in most Chinese cities, every old town is like a Disneyland. They're all pretty new, they all have display boards for X feature of the local culture, they all sell the local treats in neat packages--they're all different but the same. What does that mean really for the spiritual elements of a culture, the rootedness that traditional foods can give, the way a culture can act as a bridge between the past and the future? In China, people are 1) increasingly unmoored from the past 2) increasingly caught up in the rat race of capitalism 3) increasingly turning to nationalism. Is that a cause, effect, or a bit of both of this sort of Disneyfication? Then again, what the hell is wrong with Disneyland?
I'm curious: why were you guys living in Sarajevo of all places? I live in Tirana and have been meaning to go visit Bosnia and Herzegovina for ages!
Uggh, I didn't realize China was manufacturing "old towns." That sounds pretty unpleasant. And so directly commodifying their culture does feel like removing all of the genuine parts and leaving something quite shallow.
As for why we lived in Sarajevo, it sounded interesting and we were spending a big chunk of time in the Balkans, so going there was only natural. And so glad we did!
A thoughtful survey. Over tourism has meant that some places are just not worth visiting any longer. Florence and Venice come to mind as being so full, it’s too difficult to get to the places you came to enjoy. You can’t savor when you’re being jostled.
We have a friend visiting Western Europe right now and he wants to enjoy it, but he says the crowds are exhausting. I wish there was some better way to regulate things other than waiting for locals to get fed up and protest or tourists to get fed up and stay away.
This is the proverbial slippery slope that we speak of all the time, or, another cliche, "damned if you do and damned if you don't." There are many who want to keep things as they are, even though the way things were wasn't necessarily working. People afraid of change, of progress. As a fellow traveler, I have seen the same things you have seen. Croatia was the third country we visited in 2019 and I was amazed how advanced it was compared to some other places. Meanwhile, I am here in Albania, and they are still pretty far behind but making fast progress. I'm involved with some people doing development of a coastal property, and on one hand it's a shame to ruin the natural environment, but it will bring in lots of money to the local economy. I think it's a matter of moderation. The over tourism backlash is legitimate, since some places are just not worth going to anymore, or at least during the busy tourist season.
It is DEFINITELY legitimate. I get locals being fed up with the situation. I just wish they aimed their blame less at the tourists and more at their own governments, and fellow citizens who want the tourism.
Most of all, I think it's inevitable in today's world. If it's there -- whatever that is -- it will be discovered. Amazing the stats for the differences when countries like Thailand did embrace tourism vs Cambodia. Great that you pulled all that together for we the reader, thanks!
I wonder if governments who open their borders to tourism also do other things to help their populations. So is tourism the primary driver of increased standards of livings or other "enlightened" governmental policies. Probably both. What do you think?
It's an interesting question. I have read that countries in Southeast Asia have invested in education, and as a result, they have young, educated, and very promising workforces. Meanwhile, much of South America is corrupt and hasn't invested in such things, and as such, their futures are much more grim.
It’s so hard to say something about tourism in general. For each country the economic and environmental effects have been different. And over-tourism is a real problem.
But the reason why I still promote traveling is my belief that it indeed promotes understanding and tolerance. If we don’t visit one another, we have such a limited experience of life.
A limited experience of life and the ability and willingness to "others" people we don't know. I can't help but thing Western Europe has seen such a long period of peace is because those countries mix together so much more than before.
I am SUCH a believer in travel! But. Yeah... LOL
Great article with plenty of food for thought. I have not traveled as much as you but I agree there are a lot of places in Europe I will avoid in the summer now due to the intense heat, crowds and inflated prices. I went to Malaga city in February and it was lovely. Quite warm, no crowds or major queues (apart from the Picasso museum), and a pleasurable city to explore. But come to Killarney in summertime and it is swamped with tourists. And this what our local authorities and Government want.
Thank you, appreciate that. And I do feel your pain...
Yeah it really depends doesn't it. It's definitely easy to sway over to negativity when you encounter crowds at certain places. I'm so reluctant now. I remember being at a viewing platform overlooking a fjord and wanting to shoot all the drones out the sky!
Ughh, the drones are annoying AF.
The worst.
My husband wants to invent some sort of pocket-travel RF jammer to take down all the drones. 😂
I'LL INVEST IN THAT!!!
I believe international law allows a bazooka in cases such as those. In fact, I'm sure of it.
No judge would convict me for destruction of a drone by bazooka!
that second to last line would probably get us pretty far! like at least try to not be a jackass and show some respect for the place you're in.
I'm truly trying to make it my motto in life. More catchy than the Golden Rule, I think!
Thanks for this fantastic piece! You would definitely enjoy reading "The New Tourist" by Paige McClanahan--I believe her conclusion was that government is the only way to directly influence tourism, it's here no matter what and individual tourists can't really be responsible for it.
I think there is an aspect of tourism's upside/downside that is worthy of consideration: how does it affect the intangible aspects of a culture? For instance: in most Chinese cities, every old town is like a Disneyland. They're all pretty new, they all have display boards for X feature of the local culture, they all sell the local treats in neat packages--they're all different but the same. What does that mean really for the spiritual elements of a culture, the rootedness that traditional foods can give, the way a culture can act as a bridge between the past and the future? In China, people are 1) increasingly unmoored from the past 2) increasingly caught up in the rat race of capitalism 3) increasingly turning to nationalism. Is that a cause, effect, or a bit of both of this sort of Disneyfication? Then again, what the hell is wrong with Disneyland?
I'm curious: why were you guys living in Sarajevo of all places? I live in Tirana and have been meaning to go visit Bosnia and Herzegovina for ages!
I will check out that book! And thank you for the kind words.
Uggh, I didn't realize China was manufacturing "old towns." That sounds pretty unpleasant. And so directly commodifying their culture does feel like removing all of the genuine parts and leaving something quite shallow.
As for why we lived in Sarajevo, it sounded interesting and we were spending a big chunk of time in the Balkans, so going there was only natural. And so glad we did!
Nicely explores the complexities. I like how you kept it light and went deep. Thanks.
We try! 🙂😍
Thank you, Jessica.
A great read, thank you so much!
Appreciate that!
Thanks for reading!
Really enjoy your perspectives😎
Thank you, Michelle.
Thanks!
A thoughtful survey. Over tourism has meant that some places are just not worth visiting any longer. Florence and Venice come to mind as being so full, it’s too difficult to get to the places you came to enjoy. You can’t savor when you’re being jostled.
We have a friend visiting Western Europe right now and he wants to enjoy it, but he says the crowds are exhausting. I wish there was some better way to regulate things other than waiting for locals to get fed up and protest or tourists to get fed up and stay away.
Thank you. And I agree. We will NEVER return to Western Europe in the summer -- May through mid-October. Not worth it.
This is the proverbial slippery slope that we speak of all the time, or, another cliche, "damned if you do and damned if you don't." There are many who want to keep things as they are, even though the way things were wasn't necessarily working. People afraid of change, of progress. As a fellow traveler, I have seen the same things you have seen. Croatia was the third country we visited in 2019 and I was amazed how advanced it was compared to some other places. Meanwhile, I am here in Albania, and they are still pretty far behind but making fast progress. I'm involved with some people doing development of a coastal property, and on one hand it's a shame to ruin the natural environment, but it will bring in lots of money to the local economy. I think it's a matter of moderation. The over tourism backlash is legitimate, since some places are just not worth going to anymore, or at least during the busy tourist season.
It is DEFINITELY legitimate. I get locals being fed up with the situation. I just wish they aimed their blame less at the tourists and more at their own governments, and fellow citizens who want the tourism.
Moderation, yes! And also the pace of change. It can't be too much too fast. And hopefully, the locals have a big saw in whatever happens.
Most of all, I think it's inevitable in today's world. If it's there -- whatever that is -- it will be discovered. Amazing the stats for the differences when countries like Thailand did embrace tourism vs Cambodia. Great that you pulled all that together for we the reader, thanks!
Thank you for the kind words!
I wonder if governments who open their borders to tourism also do other things to help their populations. So is tourism the primary driver of increased standards of livings or other "enlightened" governmental policies. Probably both. What do you think?
It's an interesting question. I have read that countries in Southeast Asia have invested in education, and as a result, they have young, educated, and very promising workforces. Meanwhile, much of South America is corrupt and hasn't invested in such things, and as such, their futures are much more grim.