How You can Help Stop Over-tourism
Tourism is good for the economy. When people visit places, they spend money on plane tickets and bus rides. They also eat our or purchase items from local shops. Some countries even rely mainly on their tourism industry to survive. The problem is over-tourism is a real issue. Some people flock to certain destinations and damage the place. Some beaches can’t hold hundreds of beachgoers at the same time. Maintaining these places can also be challenging. At some point, the local government has no choice but to close these destinations to help the place recover. As a traveler, you can also contribute in preventing this problem. Here’s how.
Stay longer in one area
You might think it’s a weird suggestion and doesn’t really solve anything. The truth is you can help if you decide to stay longer in one location. You don’t have to keep moving around and crowd some areas. You also don’t have to fit everything in a short amount of time and congest some destinations. You can visit museums during off hours. You can also take your time in enjoying these places.
Respect the locals
When renting a property, make sure you follow the rules. Don’t be too loud. When using public transportation, limit the number of bags you bring with you. Most people using it are going about their day-to-day lives. You don’t want to inconvenience them because you’re taking up too much space. When visiting destinations, read signs and determine the rules.
Explore places that aren’t too popular
You don’t have to stick with popular tourist destinations only. You may also consider going to places less traveled. You’re not only avoiding overcrowded locations; you’re also supporting local tourism. You will have an experience most people won’t have since they only visit places that are known to most tourists.
Respect the environment
The environment suffers heavily with tourism. Try your best to follow the rules to protect the environment. Keep your trash until you find a bit. If there are different containers for the trash, make sure you place it in the right one. Don’t feed the animals if there are signs telling you not do. Don’t cut trees or flowers. You should also avoid zoos with terrible practices or have no regards for animal welfare. Research the places before visiting them to ensure that you’re not hurting the environment.
Travel during off-season
If possible, plan your trip during an off-season. You will enjoy various destinations since they’re not overcrowded. You also help sustain the economy. You’re going there when local businesses aren’t making enough money. It might be challenging considering your work schedule, but it can be done. If you plan ahead and ask for a few days off, you can make it happen.
You don’t want to be like any other tourist. You wish to be respectful of other people’s places. You’re only a visitor. Once you leave, someone else has to deal with the problems you’ve caused. Know your responsibilities and be a better tourist.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://static.euronews.com/articles/stories/05/87/25/84/1200x675_cmsv2_d490a072-c9a3-584f-a7ee-efff04b3c8ee-5872584.jpg 2nd image from https://www.insider.com/places-famous-for-tourism-locals-dont-want-you-2019-8
