While travelling can bring great satisfaction and happiness to an individual, there are, of course, negative aspects to everything. When we travel to world-famous destinations, we unintentionally influence the way local industries perform and how residents live. Although our consumption of local products and services contributes to the destination’s economy, the threat of over-tourism is ever-increasing and has begun to show its effects.
An article by Fox discusses the impact mass tourism is beginning to have on Venice, Italy. Since seeing a 10% rise in the number of tourists arriving in 2018, Venetians have experienced rising costs in living and accommodation due to inexpensive Airbnb rentals and strained architecture. Fox reports that Venetians feel the authentic Venice experience is being smothered and tourists are not able to fully appreciate the culture, sights and history Venice offers. Another issue facing Venice is the presence of giant cruise ships which disrupt the city’s waterways, cause damage to marine life and even collide with architecture and other vessels.
When I travelled to Venice this year, I witnessed this issue myself. The winding, cobbled streets were littered with souvenir kiosks and “genuine leather” stands at every turn, and tens of guided tour groups squeezed past us. I saw people jumping in the fountains, feeding doves, and drinking alcohol near the canals. Walking to the beautiful St. Mark’s Square, I turned to see the nose of a massive cruise ship, completely overwhelming the intricately designed Saint Mark’s Basilica.
Not all hope is lost, however, as there are numerous ways in which, as tourists, we can ensure we do not contribute to over-tourism in not only Venice but other famous cities around the world too.
Spend a longer amount of time in a city, at least overnight, and use local accommodation instead of Airbnbs.
Respect locals, private property and the local environment.
A tip is to also learn some basic sentences in the local language; this not only helps you navigate the city (I would have benefited from this in Paris!) but also in showing etiquette.
Respect local culture and customs. For example, if going to a temple, bring a shawl to cover your shoulders.
Ultimately, travel in a respectable manner and take your time to enjoy the sights. Be a part of the solution to over-tourism, not the problem.