If it feels like everyone went to Europe this summer, you’re not alone.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, international tourism will reach or even surpass prepandemic levels this year, and many popular tourist destinations are leading the pack.¹ According to a 2024 Reuters article, “Throw a stone in Manhattan, and chances are it will hit a New Yorker preparing for a European vacation.”²
And to Europe, they came. Tourism to Europe has increased by 6% in 2024,³ and the continent is expected to hit record tourism numbers this year.⁴ A recent New York Times article titled “Was This the Summer European Tourism Reached a Breaking Point?” concluded that tourism, combined with climate change, has put major pressure on popular tourist destinations, some of which are near their breaking points.⁵
But it’s not just Europe. Tourists are wreaking havoc on U.S. national parks,⁶ vandalizing Asian landmarks,⁷ turning neighborhoods into unlivable party zones,⁸ and endangering African wildlife.⁹
This article will dive into overtourism and how you, as a visitor, can travel without exacerbating the problem.
What Is Overtourism and Why Is It a Problem?
Overtourism happens when too many visitors go to the same place. When this occurs, destinations become less authentic and lose their charm. It exhausts resources and strains or even pushes out locals. There are negative impacts on infrastructure and wildlife. It’s hot, crowded, expensive, and busy. It’s the opposite of what you, as a visitor, want to experience, and it complicates daily life for those who live and work there.
You may have seen reports of protests against tourism in Barcelona, Spain, and Mykonos, Greece. Thanks to an exponential increase in vacation rentals in certain regions, like Ibiza, locals can no longer afford to live there. Water shortages are happening. Rents are rising.
Many places are furiously trying to combat these consequences of overtourism. Some destinations, like Venice, Italy, have started charging entry fees or additional tourism taxes. Others, like Seville, Spain, are limiting short-term rentals, while Barcelona is regulating the number of cruise ships that visit. Amsterdam is restricting the construction of new hotels.
While controlling overtourism largely comes down to political decisions and government regulations, visitors can always make intentional choices regarding where, how, and why they travel. We’re not saying don’t go. But there are ways you can ensure your vacation doesn’t mean locals can’t rent an apartment or that you’re contributing to a water shortage. It just takes a little bit of insight, thought, and careful planning for your next trip.
Here’s how you can travel mindfully and sustainably, see key attractions, and have amazing vacations without ruining things for everyone else.
Top Tips for Traveling When, How, and Where Everyone Else Is
I could go on and on about how and why too many tourists are visiting certain cities, how these cities are being affected, and what local governments are doing to solve it. But I’d rather talk about how you, as a visitor, can help. Here’s how you can travel and see all the places in the world you’re dying to visit without putting pressure on destinations. You’ll have a more pleasant stay with fewer crowds, better weather, and better prices. And, you can sleep easier knowing your visit won’t be detrimental to a destination.
1. Consider Your Timing (Travel in Shoulder or Offseasons)
Greece in shoulder season is delightful. Image Credit: Alexandre Chambon via Unsplash
Yes, you can still visit Mykonos, Machu Picchu, and Yellowstone. However, being more conscious about when you go not only reduces strain on the destination during crowded times but also ensures you have a more enjoyable time.
We’re not necessarily saying you should hit up European beach destinations in the freezing depths of winter or visit the Bahamas in prime hurricane season, but perhaps an October trip to Greece or a May trip to Tulum, Mexico, means you’ll encounter fewer tourists and more affordable pricing with decent weather. You won’t have to fight crowds on a hike or when taking a ferry. You can also support locals by contributing to the tourism economy at times of the year when an extra infusion is welcome instead of despised.
To find out when shoulder seasons are for your chosen destination, just Google “Shoulder season (destination),” and results should follow. In many places around the world, it might be when the dry season begins to turn into the rainy season or when cooler fall temperatures approach.
If you do find yourself smothered in crowds during peak travel season, visit the attractions at night or participate in night tours. You’ll see the destination in a whole new light (or dark, better said) and put less pressure on the infrastructure.
2. Follow the News and Plan Accordingly
Stay alert for possible situations in your destination. We’re not saying you should cancel your trip to Barcelona during a water shortage, but understanding the situation can help you be part of the solution, like taking shorter showers and being aware of water conservation regulations while on vacation there.
That said, if a natural disaster does occur, canceling or rescheduling your trip may be the best plan of action. Return when the destination needs those tourism dollars once again. A good example of this was Maui, Hawaii, during the 2023 wildfires. Obviously, visiting in the immediate aftermath wasn’t a good idea, but now the area hopes visitors will return and support local businesses, which brings me to my next point.
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3. Support Local Businesses
One of the biggest quips about overtourism is that visitors strain a destination without putting money into it. This often happens when cruise ships stop at a destination for just a day or tourists take organized day trips.
Don’t be part of the problem. Even if you are spending a day or just a few hours in a destination, eat at a local restaurant and shop at family-owned establishments.
When it comes to tours and guides, try to book directly, which supports locals. This not only benefits locals but offers you a more authentic and interesting experience, as you can enjoy the destination with someone who calls this place their home.
If you’re not sure where to start, research before traveling. Search for “local restaurants in (destination).” If you’re buying groceries, shop at local farmers’ markets. Flea markets or souks are often great ways to get original souvenirs or merchandise from locals. Activities like renting bikes and kayaks or taking walking tours are ways to support local businesses. Many of these establishments may only work with cash, so have local currency on hand just in case.
Consider downloading an app like EatWith, which offers cooking classes, food experiences, and dinners with locals, or Showaround, which offers guides and tours with locals. These provide more insightful and mindful travel experiences, allowing you to see a destination through the eyes of its residents.
Even if you are in a popular destination, take the time to visit local neighborhoods outside of the major landmarks and attractions. Rome, Italy, outside of the Colosseum, Vatican City, and Trastevere is a whole different universe, one that you might find you enjoy just as much as, or even more than, those famed attractions.
4. Be Conscious About Accommodation
It can be hard to make conscious choices about accommodation. You could stay in a hotel that’s committed to sustainability or is locally owned. Although short-term rentals are creating a housing crisis in many cities, staying in one that’s locally owned versus one owned by a company or organization will directly benefit a local.
Of course, we all love using our points and miles to stay for free at large resorts and big-brand hotels. However, staying in a boutique hotel or family-owned B&B is a way to mitigate some of the effects of overtourism by supporting locals.
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5. Think Outside the Box When Choosing a Destination
North Cascades National Park is a valid alternative to Yellowstone or Yosemite. Image Credit: Alex Moliski via Unsplash
We’ve already established that you don’t have to skip all the famous tourist spots, assuming you plan your trip conscientiously. However, if you’re going because you don’t know where else to go or just because everyone else is, there are other options.
According to a study by the Expedia Group, 59% of travelers didn’t have a specific destination in mind before selecting where to go. If this is you, or even if you do have a specific destination in mind, it’s worth considering alternatives.
Start by thinking about the type of trip you want to take — is it beachy, nature-filled, or urban? Instead of Barcelona or Bali, Indonesia, consider Tarragona, Spain, or Lombok, Indonesia. Using social media can help. Search for hashtags like #offthebeatenpath, #lesservisited, #secondcities, and #underratedcities.
Second cities, which are usually the cities in a destination after the most popular city, can be amazing alternatives to busy capitals or popular tourist hubs. Follow influencers who seek out original places to visit and read websites that highlight unique and less-visited places. This type of research may take you to Sinos, Greece, instead of Mykonos; Lyon, France, instead of Paris; and North Cascades National Park, instead of Glacier National Park.
Getting creative, being adventurous, and thinking outside the box can help you end up having a more authentic travel experience where locals welcome you with open arms and you don’t harm local resources.
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Second cities may be less crowded, more affordable, and more authentic alternatives to primary cities or popular tourist destinations. Here are some of the top second cities around the world and why you might want to add them to your bucket list.
6. Travel Slowly and Sustainably
Destinations benefit from tourists staying longer and spending money. I already mentioned supporting local businesses, but traveling slowly can help you really understand a destination and contribute to it by staying there longer.
The benefits of slow travel are vast. Besides just visiting the most typical tourist attractions, you have the time to visit the smaller, less popular ones with more opportunities to support local restaurants and businesses.
Be careful with tourist traps. Massive group tours can strain the city’s resources and contribute to overcrowding. Eating at tourist trap restaurants means you’ll overspend — and you may not be contributing to the local economy.
Traveling sustainably is harder, but taking the time to research and select eco-friendly hotels, activities, and guides is worth it. Be mindful of practices like orphanage tourism, tribal tourism, greenwashing (when companies falsely state their dedication to environmentally friendly practices), and unethical wildlife tourism, and instead choose activities like mindful diving or hikes with local guides. Follow leave-no-trace practices by picking up after yourself. Make sure activities like safaris are helping and not hurting local wildlife populations. Be respectful and friendly to locals.
What To Do if You Encounter Anti-Tourist Sentiments
You may have heard about protests against tourism in popular destinations like Barcelona and Mykonos. Protesters in Barcelona even squirted tourists with water guns. While a bit of water sprayed at you in the heart of a Spanish summer might actually feel welcome, you should avoid engaging with protesters. You shouldn’t necessarily cancel your trip, but steer clear of demonstrations and avoid protest areas.
Most of these protests are geared toward those in charge: politicians and government officials who haven’t found the right solutions to keep tourism in check, not the tourists themselves. That being said, if you’re drunk, unruly, rude, loud, or just being a jerk, yes, you’re part of the problem. Don’t be.
Bottom Line:
Protests against tourism aren’t necessarily aimed at you; they’re aimed at the government. Don’t cancel your trip because of these types of protests, but avoid protest areas. If major civil unrest occurs, you might want to rethink travel plans, but so far, antitourism protests have been relatively calm.
Final Thoughts
As time goes on, the world becomes more and more accessible to the average traveler, so overtourism isn’t going away any time soon. It’s human nature to want to explore and to go where everyone else is going. But using these tips, you can become a more mindful traveler and not make the problem of overtourism worse, and you may actually help improve the state of tourism instead.
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