How we can prevent overtourism

Tourism is an important source of income for many countries. It boosts the economy and creates jobs. However, despite its benefits, tourism can cause a number of problems that can affect the environment and local communities. Especially when it comes to overtourism, some destinations are struggling with the negative consequences that result from growing numbers of tourists.So it is important to understand what overtourism really means in order to find solutions to this problem.

What is overtourism?

Responsible Tourism Partnership describes overtourism as "destinations where hosts or guests, locals or visitors, feel there are too many visitors and the quality of life in the area or the quality of the experience has deteriorated unacceptably." In a Report of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) it is acknowledged that overtourism is mostly due to "the lack of good management and uncontrolled development". Some destinations have a growing number of tourists, while others are waiting for their visitors to discover them.

An Study shows that the native population of Venice will be zero in 2030. This means that in just ten years the city will only be there for tourists. The consequences of over-tourism can also be seen in faraway destinations around the world. "Many tourists do things they shouldn't," says Machu Picchu tour guide Nelson Huaman Quispe. "For example, some people climb the structures. Some take the rocks. Some mark the ground and do things they shouldn't do. ... It's chaos." Like Venice, Machu Picchu is on UNESCO's list of endangered world heritage sites as a result of over-tourism.

How can over-tourism be prevented?

To provide solutions to this problem, the World Tourism Organization recommends improving capacity and dwell time in attractions. It is also important to ensure that local communities benefit from tourism. As TripLegend, we believe that choosing less visited destinations is beneficial to avoid over-tourism. The world is full of secret gems that need your attention. To avoid overtourism, you can simply choose a less visited destination for your next adventure and adopt sustainable practices.

We hope you better understand the massive consequences of mass tourism and now know how to avoid over-tourism. As Triplegend, we are advocates of eco-friendly travel. We avoid popular destinations and prefer to, secret jewels of the world. In doing so, we offset the carbon footprint of our travelers and plant a tree for every single guest that accompanies us on our adventures. To find out more about what you can do to travel sustainably and responsibly, take a look at our Eco-Friendly Travel Guide.