
The ability to travel is a marvelous luxury, and it's one that more and more people are able to enjoy every year! In 2023 alone there were 1,304 million international travelers, and the amount is rising every year.
With the number of travelers ever-growing, many popular destinations have experienced something called overtourism. The World Tourism Organization defines overtourism as “the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences the perceived quality of the life of citizens and/or the quality of visitor experiences in a negative way."
Some symptoms of overtourism include landmark damage, pollution, damage to natural environments, endangerment of protected species, and disruption to the local ways of life. In some countries, overtourism has also caused a housing crisis for locals as landlords prefer to rent their houses to tourists for higher prices.
With all the damage being caused by overtourism, what can you do to help solve the issue? Here are 5 tips that you can implement on your next trip!

1 | Avoid Peak Seasons and Times
Instead of traveling at the same time as everyone else, try traveling in the shoulder or low seasons. This might mean researching a little bit to see when those seasons are for your particular destination. Smaller crowds and cheaper flights and hotels are some of the benefits of avoiding the peak season!
If it is impossible for you to avoid the peak season, try avoiding the peak times of day. Visit popular monuments in the early morning or in the evening or night to avoid the afternoon crowds. Steer clear of using public transportation during rush hour and consider eating meals at slightly different hours than the typical.

2 | Break Away from the Well-known Attractions or use the Second-city Tourism Method
Instead of planning your trip around all the viral or well-known attractions, try visiting some lesser-known areas! This could mean hiring a local guide to take you to some of their favorite spots that are off the beaten path. Traveling to more obscure locations through smaller communities can give you a more authentic experience of the country–with not another tourist in sight!
On the other hand, if skipping all the big attractions is not your cup of tea, try using the second-city tourism method. This method works by first going to that “big” location on your list, then afterwards visiting a more obscure location in the same country. This can help bring attention to those smaller landmarks while positively impacting those communities.

3 | Shop & Eat Locally
Instead of always eating on the cruise ship or at the hotel, try some local food and buy some handmade souvenirs! When you shop and eat locally on a trip, you know the money you spend gets circulated directly back into the local community. This can allow small businesses to survive and also provides you with an overall better experience of the culture you are exploring.

4 | Respect Locals, the Environment, and the Road Laws
This one may seem obvious, but unfortunately problematic tourists have caused issues in many countries. Be respectful of your group's noise levels, especially at night. Avoid peak commuter travel times so as not to cause extra crowding on local transportation. Don't take pictures of private property or locals without permission. Follow road laws and don't litter. Basically, try not to be that bad tourist. These simple tips foster good relationships between the residents and tourists while also helping to protect the landmarks for future adventurers and generations to admire.

5 | Travel Slower & in Smaller Groups
Instead of rushing through your itinerary to get in as much as you can, try spending a few days in each location! When you spend your time and money in these communities it helps to bolster the local economy. Slowing down also allows more time to explore the area and connect with the inhabitants. Traveling in smaller groups creates less of a social bubble. Landmarks are a big part of any trip, but experiencing the culture and people is just as important.
So next time you are getting ready to travel abroad, take the time to think over these 5 tips to avoid overtourism. The ability to travel is a wonderful gift, and we want to steward this privilege well.
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