The Dark Side of Overtourism and How You Can Help

What’s one thing that is quite common between Rome, Barcelona, and Venice? Apart from the fact that these are European cities, the other thing that is quite common is the problem of overtourism. Whether it’s Venice, Lisbon, or Rhodes, every tourist destination is suffering from overtourism, and with the rising boost of tourism all across the world, it is sure to get worse with each passing year.

You set your foot in a new destination for vacation, and once you reach there, you find out that all the effort, time, and research have gone down the drain, as everything is overcrowded. That’s what vacation-related nightmares look like, right? But that’s the reality of tourism. Before you embark on your journey, you need to determine if the place you're visiting is worth all the trouble.

But is overtourism really such an issue? Well, it definitely is. Let’s explore the dark side of overtourism and how we can help overcome it:

Overtourism: How Is It A Big Issue?

Did you know that Barcelona had to shut down short-term rentals for tourists until the year 2028 because of the rising housing crisis? Yes, that’s how problematic overtourism is for a city. It is quite common in several tourist destinations, where many visitors flock to a place, causing tourist influences that have a negative impact on both the environment and the locals of the area.

It can lead to increased pollution, damage to historical landmarks and sites, excess garbage, littering, and the displacement of locals. It can also increase the price of services and goods in that particular area, as well as impact the quality of life of residents with high housing prices. So, how can we overcome it?

Research Before Your Travel:

Before you begin your journey to explore a new destination, find out what the tourism situation is like there. If it’s a crowded place, consider skipping it so you don’t contribute to overtourism. If you are looking to spend your weekend or vacation in a great place, search for alternatives that aren’t overcrowded.

Book your trip to a destination where you can minimize your impact on overtourism and still enjoy your vacation without any guilt.

Give Overcrowded Places a Bypass:

If it's overcrowded, you're definitely not going to enjoy the place anyway. That’s the mindset you need to have when searching for vacation spots this year. Will it help overtourism in any way? Well, it will. By not contributing to the tourist influx, you can help ease the pressure on such destinations and allow them to better cope with the crowds.

You need to be mindful and respectful of the places you're visiting, following their restrictions and avoiding damage to historical property, as well as disposing of trash properly. Be considerate of everyone, especially the locals, and support them as much as you can.

Go Off-Season:

Visiting a place that is overcrowded during peak season can only lead to uncomfortable journeys, overly crowded places, overpriced stays, and travel. That’s not what an ideal vacation is, right? That is why it is best to choose off-seasons to visit any destination so that you can have a better journey, explore more, and enjoy every place while reducing the impact of tourism there.

If we talk specifically about Europe, the months from October to April have fewer crowds, so you can skip summer and go for a winter vacation to enjoy your trip while avoiding overcrowded places.

Choose Sustainability:

Even if you have planned a weekend getaway to a country this holiday season, it’s important to be mindful while traveling. After arriving in a country, make sure to minimize your impact by investing in green initiatives. You can use public transportation instead of renting a car or driving yourself, which helps reduce traffic and carbon emissions.

Apart from that, choose sustainable and eco-friendly souvenirs instead of purchasing items made from animal skin or endangered species, as they can have a negative impact on the environment.

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