Overtourism: How to be a responsible tourist - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service

More tourists are going on holiday than ever before, coinciding with a rise in protests against tourists and growing concerns about the impact on local cultures and climates.

In this episode of The Global Story, Lucy Hockings is joined by Rajan Datar, host of The Travel Show, to discuss the problems of overtourism and what tourists and locals can do to protect the places we love to visit.

00:00 Introduction
01:23 A record year for tourism
01:53 Growing tourist markets
02:31 "Overwhelmed by tourists"
02:54 Revenge tourism
03:19 What places are struggling with overtourism?
04:11 Anti-tourist protests
05:19 Hallsttat, the 'Frozen' village
06:00 Mount Fuji Lawson
07:31 Water scarcity competition between locals and tourists
08:10 Venice's admission fee solution
08:53 Travelling outside of peak times
10:02 Impact of climate change
11:02 What kind of travellers do destinations want?
12:14 Are tourist quotas a solution?
13:01 Are we reaching peak tourism?
13:19 Selfie culture driving tourism trends
14:24 New destinations becoming popular
15:12 "Please travel, but be more conscious"

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[Angels]

I’m a hotel front desk agent for 30 years here in the big island of hawaii, I have experienced a lot from the tourist there are good and bad. Back in the 80’s, the tourist were more caring and more respectful, now a days a lot of tourists are more rude, demanding, and some of them when they check out they forget to even flush they’re own “shit” and leave trash everywhere. Our housekeepers are extremely exhausted and tired, I know it’s there job to clean the rooms for the next guests. Hawaii depends on tourism please do your part treat our islands like your home, show some respect, read and follow the rules of each resorts, we’re here to service you with Aloha ❤😊

[tatzybatzy]

You are a guest when you travel is exactly what my grandmother used to say. Be a polite guest, not a rude intruder.

[phisit]

“You are a guest …” 👍 that’s so true! Respect the local culture.

[w.urlitzer]

I went to Japan, avoided Fuji, I took a slow train so saw plenty of it, and Kyoto, went to secondary quiet cities, and still got upset by tourist who couldn't behave. Japanese people told me it disturbed them a lot.

[TruePeaceSeeker]

I am very glad you mentioned Bali. There has been tons of tourist abusing their tourist visa to harm the land and locals

[axnyslie]

What everyone is tired of is obnoxious wannabe influencers with a bad case of Main Character Syndrome ruining it for everyone, locals and polite tourists.

[monballet]

You forgot to mention the people who go on a trip not to do tourism, but to drink, party and not want to understand anything about the country they visit. In this type of tourists there is egocentrism and great lack of culture. Precisely in Spain we have good examples of your compatriots who come just to do what perhaps at home they would not dare to do... you have not talked about this tourist profile, and there are many. Thank you

[rougeur]

Explore the world with kindness and care! Be a responsible tourist, support local communities, and preserve the beauty of our planet. If you want to be successful have the mindset of the rich, spend less and invest more, . Don't give up your dreams, I pray whoever likes and reads this will be successful!

[annaliza]

They said it all. Please travel but be conscious of the local culture, respect it. As simple as that.

[cstone]

It is absolutely absurd this Selfie-madness.

[gosikh]

As a backpacker, we spend money in local shops and stay at local hostels.

All that money stays in the region.

Staying at high end hotels means all that money goes out to MNC hospitality companies.

[susanrogers]

I have just come back from Barcelona, the influencers draping themselves over Gaudi's masterpieces, hogging views was disgusting, so self involved and selfish. It was laughable to see these idiots.

[benny]

This is my take on things: I don't travel because I want to, I travel because I have to. I don't call myself a tourist, but a visitor. I tend to plan trips where I can stay a month or even two. I only travel once every 5 to 7 years. I often go back to the same places again and again. I get to know the place, not exploit the place. My visits have a purpose: a camino, a workshop, a visit with friends or family that I have overseas. I've even worked in some places: London as an actor (U.K.) or Mexico as a teacher. It's to escape my lonely life here in Canada, where I'm stuck in a routine with my nose to the grindstone. I force myself to get out there to build my confidence, to experience new things, to get out of my comfort zone, to learn about the local culture and history. No cruise ships, no guided tours, no 7-day resorts, no paid luxury vacation in 5-star hotels. Yes, you see the iconic sights, but I much prefer going off the beaten path to discover something else. No selfies here. I leave technology at home. That's one reason I have to get away, to get away from that. I want to be set free from all those constraints and spend time wandering, sitting in cafes people watching, and spending time with people; be they family, friends, or people I met along the way. Travelling opens up a whole new world and is part of self-development, education, and contributes to bringing us together.

[LazyDaisyDay]

Interesting points raised.
My Aunt lives in a cottage in Bibury in the Cotswolds. She has (more than once) opened her front door and asked a party of Japanese tourists to kindly leave her private garden. They open her gate and walk in to take selfies - like its a miniature Disneyland. They all arrive in coaches inundating the few shops and tea rooms. Its the same in Burford where I live. Its the sheer amount of people that arrive at one time and the issues with their not having researched or been told what is and isn't appropriate. There is so little care and understanding. Selfie culture really gives me the ick.

[solangelauthier]

Tourists who do not travel in groups, dress appropriately, do not hit you with their backpacks and generally behave themselves do not cause problems

[aspiring...]

I have never stayed in an Airbnb.
I hope this helps.
I come from a country that depends on tourism.
I understand there must be balance. Ultimately, the needs of locals must come first.

[jonpostigo]

The problem is the gentrification of the cities. Airbnb has destroyed the market, making impossible por locals to rent. This turns the cities into photocopies, so artificial.

[QuynhNhu-nflq]

This topic is really engaging. Living in a tourist destination, I can see clearly the benefits as well as drawbacks due to overtourism. Travelling is great but just please respect, being a well-behaved guest☺️

[KeepWalkingNeverStop]

Im from Athens, Greece, have lived in Amsterdam, NL, for 8 years, and have recently repatriated to Greece in Paros. I work in a hotel and can only afford to do so because I have my own place on the island.

Airbnb has ruined the island and has made accommodation absolutely unaffordable. There is no housing, not even for doctors and teachers who are desperately needed here. The resulting staff shortages put immense pressure on local workers who have to do double shifts to make up for the lack of employees on the island caused by the shortage in housing.

The cost of accommodation has also made tourists feel a massive squeeze on their budgets, preventing them from going out to taverns, boat trips, and destinations around the island outside of Paroikia (capital) and Naoussa.

We get all the negatives of over tourism with too many people concentrated on the main villages, and many tourists cannot stretch their money enough to truly enjoy all that Paros has to offer. All we're left with are obnoxious and entitled rich American tourists who drive up prices and only know how to be American, messing with our local way of life.

A lose-lose situation for us all.

[juliagardner]

I have been travelling for over 40years!!I have returned to places I have loved...oh what a mistake.Over tourism and just too many people.Timed entry into many places and towns is one solution.