tourism’s biggest problem – be part of the solution?

B1

Overtourism

Overtourism is the phenomenon where a popular destination becomes so overcrowded with visitors that it negatively impacts the quality of life for residents, the experience for tourists, and the environment itself. It’s not just about large numbers; it’s about the concentration of those numbers in specific places at specific times.

Here’s a breakdown of why overtourism is the central problem and how it connects to other critical issues:

1. The Core Issue: Overtourism as a Symptom and a Cause

Overtourism is both a symptom of tourism’s success and a cause of its most severe problems.

Geographical Concentration: Mass tourism isn’t spread evenly. It focuses on a small number of „honeypot“ locations like Venice, Barcelona, Kyoto, Amsterdam, and Machu Picchu.
Seasonality: The problem is exacerbated by everyone traveling at the same time (e.g., summer in Europe, holidays).

2. The Cascading Effects of Overtourism

This central problem creates a domino effect of other major issues:

A. Environmental Degradation

Strain on Resources: Overwhelms local water and energy supplies.
Pollution: Increased air pollution from travel, noise pollution, and litter.
Ecosystem Damage: Erosion of natural trails, damage to coral reefs, and disruption of wildlife. A classic example is the temporary closure of Maya Bay in Thailand („The Beach“) to allow its ecosystem to recover.

B. Socio-Cultural Resentment

Loss of Authenticity: Historic towns become crowded, commercialized theme parks, losing their original character.
Displacement of Residents: The rise of short-term rentals (like Airbnb) drives up housing costs, pushing locals out of city centers.
Resident Anger: This leads to protests and anti-tourism sentiment, as seen in graffiti and demonstrations in cities like Barcelona and Venice.

C. Degradation of the Tourist Experience

Long Lines and Crowds: The very attractions people come to see are spoiled by the crowds.
Rising Prices: Locals and tourists alike face inflated prices for goods, services, and accommodation.
Homogenization: Unique local shops are replaced by international chains and souvenir shops, making every destination feel the same.

D. Economic Vulnerability

Leakage: A significant portion of tourism revenue often leaks out to international corporations (airlines, hotel chains, tour operators) rather than benefiting the local economy.
Over-reliance: Destinations become dependent on tourism, making them extremely vulnerable to shocks like pandemics, natural disasters, or political instability.

Other Major Contenders for „Biggest Problem“

While overtourism is the central hub, these other issues are critically important and deeply interconnected:

Sustainability and the Climate Crisis:
- The Carbon Footprint: Aviation is a significant and growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The core model of mass, long-haul travel is fundamentally at odds with global climate goals.
- Resource Consumption: Tourism places a heavy burden on local water, food, and energy, especially in developing nations.
The Post-Pandemic Labor Shortage:
- The industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled and unskilled labor. Many who left the sector during COVID-19 did not return due to issues like low pay, precarious hours, and high stress, leading to service disruptions and operational challenges.
Economic Inequality and Leakage:
- Ensuring that the money tourists spend actually stays within and benefits the local community remains a huge challenge, particularly in developing countries.

The Path Forward: Shifting the Paradigm

The industry’s biggest challenge, therefore, is not just managing these problems individually but fundamentally shifting from a model of volume to a model of value. The solutions being explored include:

Dispersal: Promoting lesser-known destinations and encouraging travel during the off-season.
Management Tools: Implementing tourist taxes, timed entry tickets, and visitor caps.
Regulation: Limiting short-term rentals to protect housing stock.
Promoting Regenerative Tourism: Going beyond „do no harm“ to a model where tourism actively improves the destination—environmentally, socially, and economically.

In conclusion, while climate change is the existential threat and labor shortages are an operational crisis, overtourism is the most visible and immediate „biggest problem.“ It is the point where environmental damage, resident anger, and a poor tourist experience collide, making it the most urgent issue for destinations worldwide to address.

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A2

Today, the biggest problem in tourism is that too many people travel to the same popular places. This is called overtourism. It causes many problems for the environment, for local people, and for tourists.

Let’s look at the problems in more detail.

1. Too Many People: Overtourism

What it is: Famous cities and places have too many visitors. The streets, beaches, and monuments are too full.

Examples around the world:

Europe: Cities like Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam are very crowded.
Asia: Famous places like Bali (Indonesia), Kyoto (Japan), and Thailand’s beaches have the same problem. In Thailand, the beautiful Maya Bay beach was closed for some time because too many tourists were damaging the nature.
Peru: Too many people want to see Machu Picchu, and the ancient stones are getting damaged.

Why it is bad:

For locals: Life becomes difficult and expensive. Houses become too pricey for locals to rent.
For tourists: Long lines, crowded photos, and a stressful experience.
For the place: Historic sites can get damaged.

2. Damage to Nature and the Environment

Tourism can hurt our planet.

Pollution from Travel: Airplanes, cars, and cruise ships make a lot of pollution. This is bad for the air and for climate change.
Too Much Trash: In many popular places, there is a lot of litter. For example, on Mount Everest, there is trash from climbers. In the oceans, plastic from tourists can hurt fish and coral.
Using Too Much Water: Tourists often use a lot of water for hotels, pools, and showers. In places with little water, like some islands, this is a big problem.

3. Problems for Local People

When tourism grows very fast, it can cause problems for the people who live there.

Life Becomes Expensive: Shops and restaurants raise their prices. Apartments become very expensive because owners prefer to rent them to tourists on websites like Airbnb. Local people cannot afford to live in their own cities.
They Lose Their Culture: Sometimes, a city changes too much for tourists. Traditional shops close and only souvenir shops open. The city loses its real character and culture.
Anger and Protests: In some cities, local people protest against tourists. They write messages like „Tourist, go home!“ because they are unhappy.

4. The Problem of Seasonality

This means that everyone travels at the same time of the year.

What happens: In summer, Europe is very crowded. In winter, everyone goes to ski resorts. This means that for a few months, places have too many people, and for the rest of the year, they are empty and businesses have no money.

What is the Solution?

The solution is to be a smarter tourist.

Travel to less famous places. Visit a small town instead of a capital city.
Travel in the off-season. Go to Europe in spring or autumn, not summer.
Be respectful. Learn a few words in the local language, don’t make too much noise, and always put your trash in the bin.
Support the local economy. Eat in local restaurants and buy from local artists.

In conclusion, the biggest problem is that tourism is not balanced. The goal for the future is to have tourism that is good for everyone: for the planet, for local people, and for tourists.

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A2

Cheat Sheet: How to Be a Good Tourist

The goal is to be a traveler, not just a tourist. Here are easy things you can do.

1. For the Planet: Travel Lightly

🚌 Use Local Transport: Take a bus or a train instead of a taxi. It is cheaper and better for the air.
♻️ No Plastic: Carry your own water bottle and shopping bag. Say „no“ to plastic straws.
💧 Save Water: Take short showers. Reuse your hotel towels.
🗑️ Leave No Trace: Always put your trash in the bin. If you see trash, pick it up. Leave nature beautiful.

2. For Local People: Be a Guest, Not a Invader

🛍️ Buy Local: Eat in local restaurants, not international fast food. Buy souvenirs from local artists.
🏠 Be Respectful: Remember, you are in someone’s home. Be quiet in the streets. Respect local customs and dress correctly (for example, cover your shoulders in a temple).
👋 Learn a Little: Learn to say „Hello,“ „Thank you,“ and „Please“ in the local language. A small effort makes a big difference.

3. For a Better Experience: Go Your Own Way

📅 Go in the Off-Season: Travel in spring or autumn, not in summer. It is less crowded, cheaper, and more pleasant.
🗺️ Visit Different Places: Instead of only the famous city, visit a smaller town or a village. You will see the real culture.
⏳ Stay Longer: Stay in one place for a few days. Learn about it. This is better than visiting 10 cities in 7 days.

Simple Plan for Your Next Trip

Do This…	Instead of This…	Why It Helps
Eat at a small family restaurant	Eating at McDonald’s	Your money goes directly to a local family.
Take a train between cities	Taking a short-flight	You see the countryside and reduce pollution.
Visit a less-famous town	Only going to the capital	You help spread the money and reduce crowds.
Travel in September	Traveling in August	The weather is still good, but it is less crowded.
Learn „Thank you“	Speaking only English loudly	You show respect for the local culture.

In short: Be curious, be kind, and think about the place you are visiting. You can be part of the solution

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Overtourism, part 1/2 (B1, A2)

B1