
Tourists pack into the historic center of Venice near Piazza San Marco.
Mar 24, 2018
The crowded streets of Barcelona’s La Rambla
Overtourism is becoming a serious problem around the world. Here’s how outfitters are working to be part of the solution.
Travelers often complain about crowds and are always looking for a way to avoid them. But the people who live in very popular places know that those crowds don’t ever go away. While residents may enjoy a real economic benefit from visitors, unchecked tourism has also caused overcrowding, put a strain on local resources, and in some cases, decreased a region’s livability.
Last summer’s anti-tourism protests in Venice, Barcelona, and other European cities marked a breaking point for residents of those communities: The negative impacts of overtourism were outweighing the benefits of their tourism dollars. Around the world, popular destinations have started taking steps to address the issue. Peru began limiting the amount of time visitors can spend in the ruins of Machu Picchu, and some U.S. national parks are considering requiring time-specific reservations.
Several tour outfitters are joining the fight, too, adjusting their itineraries to minimize impact on popular places, while still offering access to the destination’s most appealing characteristics.“With fewer people, [small groups] can tread lightly, leaving less of a mark on the destination.”
National Geographic Expeditions has designed many of its active expeditions to take small groups of travelers to areas where not many tourists go. Its Iceland: Volcanoes, Glaciers, and Whales Adventure goes way beyond the overcrowded Golden Circle to the far eastern and northern parts of the island; its Alaska Sea Kayaking Adventure gives guests the opportunity to explore Glacier Bay by kayak—an intimate approach that avoids the crowds and the carbon footprint of big cruise ships.
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The appeal of notable destinations doesn’t just go away, and even though savvy travelers are willing to choose alternative adventures, popular cities still draw plenty of visitors. How do tour operators address the thirst for those top 10 places?
“The tsunami of people pouring through the city on a cruising day adventure changes the dynamic [of a place], and dipping your toe in for a couple of hours without much help to the economy of that place only highlights the negative impact,” says Leigh Barnes, North America regional director for Intrepid Travel. “We consider the balance of going to those destinations that are popular, but we also make sure that tourist dollars get to the local economy.”
Many tour operators employ local guides—they’re resources on the ground who have a deep understanding of the culture and a familiarity with the area that clues them into the best times to visit places on a tour itinerary. With the help of Youssef Laamimi, a trip leader for Intrepid Travel’s Urban Adventures, I not only learned to navigate the intimidating souks of Marrakech, but also visited the avenues few visitors investigate: those inhabited by the makers of the goods sold in the souks. There, I tried my hand at weaving leather pieces into sandals and learned to appreciate a craft that is often unseen by those haggling for the best bargain in the market.Sign up for the Daily Wander newsletter for expert travel inspiration and tips
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