Please sign in to post.

Overtourism isn't news

Posted by (Los Angeles) on

but this CNN article is a deep dive into the situation in Europe, with a few suggestions.

One callout:

In 2024, Europe’s tourism numbers reached new heights, with foreign arrivals surpassing 2019 figures, with a year-on-year increase of 12% since 2023. Portugal, which also has struggled with overtourism challenges, saw a 26% increase in arrivals in 2024 — and its popularity shows no signs of waning, as the country continues to rank high on lists of best countries to visit.

https://www.cnn.com/travel/overtourism-2025-summer-crowded-chaotic/index.html

Posted by
3244 posts

Correct, no news in this article. But I do not see a deep dive.

Does the next tourist attraction is arising around LA these days? The masses of tourists which want to visit the sad burned rests of the houses of celebs. "And this lonely chimney is the rest of the villa of star XY ... . See in our app how the house looked before. We stop for five minutes so that you can do selfies and pile up some ash or a burned brick to sell on eBay".

Overtourism seems for some places like the eleventh plague of Egypt: "may so many tourists come that there is no more housing to live for the local people, not enough food to eat, not enough water to drink, not enough space and freedom for the people living at this place". But compared to plague number eight (the locusts) the swarm of tourists might never disappear again. Over-dramatic? Sure.

And the final thought of the article might never happen in almost all travelers' mind:
"Whether you’re a travel company or destination or even a traveler when making decisions, ask yourself: How does this make things better for the local people who live here?”.

Posted by
20847 posts

ask yourself: How does this make things better for the local people
who live here?

I am supposed to be so presumptuous that I can judge the needs of individuals in cultures and economies that i know nothing about?

No, ask yourself am I behaving and conducting myself in a manner consistent with common courtsey and a respect for law? Then trust that the locals have a better understanding of their needs than you will ever have, and have enacted laws to support their needs in a democratic process.

I spent most of my life in one of the larger US tourist cities. I can not imagine how I would feel if some guy from Hungary started posting on line what I and my fellow citizens needed regarding tourism and housing and ...... San Antonio isn't Gyor, that guy wouldn't know where to begin and have any chance of being correct.

Respecting other cultures might begin with accepting that they can take care of themselves better than strangers can.

Add Reply

Please do not reply to violations of our Community Guidelines.