- overtourism ruining quality tourism?
CNN has article on #overtourism => link
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Summary in A1:
Many places in Asia have too many tourists now. This problem is called overtourism. It means there are too many people visiting the same places. This makes life hard for local people and bad for nature.
Some famous places with this problem are Bali in Indonesia, Kyoto in Japan, Phuket in Thailand, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An in Vietnam, and Boracay in the Philippines. These places are very beautiful, but they are now very crowded. The streets are full, and the beaches have too many people.
In Kyoto, many people say the city is too busy. Buses and trains are full of tourists. Some tourists act badly and do not respect local culture. In Bali, there is too much traffic and a lot of trash. Many rice fields are gone because new hotels are built. This makes floods worse.
Boracay Island had to close for six months because there were too many visitors and too much damage. Maya Bay in Thailand also closes every year for a few months to help nature recover.
There are many reasons for overtourism. Plane tickets are cheap. People want to travel after the Covid-19 pandemic. There are many tourists from China and India. Governments also make strong ads to get more visitors.
Some places try to fix the problem. They stop tourists from going to some areas or make new rules. But it is difficult because tourism gives jobs and money.
Experts say tourists should travel more responsibly. They can visit small, quiet places, go in low season, and respect local people. Asia has many beautiful places. If tourists travel carefully, they can help protect nature and local life.
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Summary in A2:
Many popular travel destinations in Asia are now facing a big problem called overtourism. This happens when too many tourists visit the same places, creating problems for local people, the environment, and even for other travelers.
Experts say places like Bali, Kyoto, Phuket, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Boracay are among the most affected. Streets and beaches are full, traffic is heavy, and many visitors don’t respect local customs. In Kyoto, for example, local residents complain about crowded buses, noise, and tourists taking photos in private areas. Almost 90% of locals say overtourism has made life worse.
The tourism boom started after Covid-19 travel restrictions ended. Cheap flights, social media, and big advertising campaigns made travel easier than ever. More people from large countries like China and India are also traveling around Asia. According to travel organizations, places like Vietnam have seen over 20% more visitors this year.
Overtourism is also damaging the environment. In Bali, too many hotels have replaced rice fields, causing floods and water problems. Boracay Island in the Philippines had to close for six months in 2018 to repair damage from too many tourists, and Maya Bay in Thailand now closes two months each year to protect marine life.
Governments are trying to control the situation with visitor limits, higher taxes, and temporary closures, but it’s difficult because tourism brings jobs and money.
Experts suggest that travelers can help by being more responsible. They can visit less famous places, travel in the low season, and respect local traditions. Even in busy countries, it’s still possible to find quiet, beautiful areas away from the crowds. Traveling respectfully can help protect local life and nature while still enjoying Asia’s amazing culture and beauty.
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Summary in B1:
Many popular travel destinations in Asia are now facing a big problem called overtourism. This happens when too many tourists visit the same places, creating problems for local people, the environment, and even for other travelers.
Experts say places like Bali, Kyoto, Phuket, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, and Boracay are among the most affected. Streets and beaches are full, traffic is heavy, and many visitors don’t respect local customs. In Kyoto, for example, local residents complain about crowded buses, noise, and tourists taking photos in private areas. Almost 90% of locals say overtourism has made life worse.
The tourism boom started after Covid-19 travel restrictions ended. Cheap flights, social media, and big advertising campaigns made travel easier than ever. More people from large countries like China and India are also traveling around Asia. According to travel organizations, places like Vietnam have seen over 20% more visitors this year.
Overtourism is also damaging the environment. In Bali, too many hotels have replaced rice fields, causing floods and water problems. Boracay Island in the Philippines had to close for six months in 2018 to repair damage from too many tourists, and Maya Bay in Thailand now closes two months each year to protect marine life.
Governments are trying to control the situation with visitor limits, higher taxes, and temporary closures, but it’s difficult because tourism brings jobs and money.
Experts suggest that travelers can help by being more responsible. They can visit less famous places, travel in the low season, and respect local traditions. Even in busy countries, it’s still possible to find quiet, beautiful areas away from the crowds. Traveling respectfully can help protect local life and nature while still enjoying Asia’s amazing culture and beauty.
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Bonustext (A2)
The Biggest Problem in World Tourism: Too Many Tourists
Right now, the biggest problem is that too many people are visiting the same popular places. We call this „overtourism.“
What is overtourism?
It means a city or town has more visitors than it can handle.
Why is this a big problem?
- For people who live there:
- Their city becomes too crowded.
- The cost of food and houses goes up.
- Their quiet places become noisy.
- For the place itself:
- The streets, beaches, and nature can get dirty or damaged.
- There is more pollution.
- For the tourists:
- They have to wait in long lines.
- They can’t enjoy the places because they are too full of people.
- It doesn’t feel special or real.
Why is this happening now?
- It is easy to find cheap flights.
- Social media shows everyone the same beautiful places, so everyone wants to go there.
This problem is connected to other problems:
- It hurts the environment. Planes and cruise ships used by tourists cause air pollution.
- Local people may not get the money. Often, the money tourists spend goes to big international companies, not to small local shops.
What is the solution?
We need to change how we travel.
- Visit different places. Travel to smaller cities or towns that are also beautiful.
- Travel at different times. Avoid visiting during the busiest season.
- Be a better tourist. Be respectful, don’t litter, and spend money at local businesses.
In short, the biggest problem is that too many people go to the same places. The solution is to spread out and be more thoughtful about how we travel.
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BONUSTEXT (C1,C2)
The Crisis of Overtourism and its Uneven Distribution of Impacts
While other issues like climate change, economic sustainability, and post-pandemic recovery are critical, overtourism is the most visible, immediate, and socially disruptive problem. It represents a fundamental failure to manage the success of tourism itself.
Here’s a breakdown of why overtourism is the central issue and how it connects to other major problems:
1. The Core Problem: Overtourism
Overtourism occurs when the number of visitors overwhelms a destination’s capacity, leading to negative impacts on the quality of life for residents, the visitor experience, and the environment itself.
Key Manifestations:
- For Residents: Skyrocketing cost of living, displacement from city centers, degradation of public spaces, cultural commodification, and a general sense of their home becoming a theme park. This leads to rising anti-tourism sentiment, as seen in protests in cities like Barcelona, Venice, and Amsterdam.
- For the Environment: Strain on natural resources (especially water), pollution (air, noise, plastic), damage to fragile ecosystems (like coral reefs or hiking trails), and increased carbon footprint from transportation.
- For Visitors: A diminished experience characterized by long queues, crowded sights, „instagrammable“ hotspots that lack authenticity, and rising prices.
2. Why It’s the „Biggest“ Problem Right Now
- It’s a Direct Consequence of Success: The global tourism industry has rebounded strongly post-pandemic. The pent-up demand, combined with cheaper flights and the influence of social media (directing everyone to the same „must-see“ spots), has created a perfect storm.
- It’s a Systemic Failure: Overtourism isn’t an accident; it’s a result of a model that prioritizes volume over value. Many destinations and businesses are still geared towards maximizing visitor numbers rather than optimizing for quality, sustainability, and equitable distribution of benefits.
- It Fuels Other Major Problems:
- Climate Change: The concentration of flights and cruise ships to a small number of hotspots massively contributes to tourism’s carbon footprint.
- Economic Leakage: The infrastructure built for mass tourism (international hotel chains, all-inclusive resorts) often results in less money staying in the local economy.
- Cultural Erosion: The pressure to cater to millions can dilute local traditions and turn them into performances for tourists.
Other Contenders for „Biggest Problem“
While overtourism is the central node, these other issues are critically important and deeply intertwined:
- The Sustainability Paradox & Climate Change: Tourism contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions (around 8% globally, primarily from transport), yet it relies on stable climates and pristine environments to survive. Destinations are simultaneously victims of and contributors to climate change. The industry is struggling to decouple its growth from its environmental impact.
- The „Leakage“ Problem and Lack of Economic Equity: In many developing destinations, a shocking percentage of tourism revenue (sometimes over 80%) „leaks“ out of the local economy back to foreign-owned airlines, hotel chains, and tour operators. This prevents tourism from fulfilling its promise as a true tool for poverty reduction and local development.
- Post-Pandemic Volatility and Workforce Shortages: The industry is still recovering from the shock of COVID-19. Many skilled workers left the sector and have not returned, leading to staffing shortages that affect service quality and operational capacity. This is compounded by geopolitical instability and fluctuating travel confidence.
The Path Forward: A Shift in Model
The biggest problem, therefore, is not tourism itself, but the model of tourism we have embraced. The solution lies in a concerted move away from mass volume and towards:
- Dispersal: Promoting lesser-known destinations and encouraging travel during off-peak seasons.
- Decarbonization: Accelerating the shift to sustainable aviation fuels, improving land transport options, and promoting slow travel.
- Community-Centric Tourism: Developing models where local communities have more control and receive a more significant share of the benefits (e.g., community-based tourism).
- Management and Regulation: Implementing smart, evidence-based policies like tourist taxes, visitor caps, timed ticketing, and investing in infrastructure that benefits residents first and foremost.
In conclusion, while the challenges are immense, the current crisis of overtourism presents a necessary opportunity to rethink and reshape global tourism into a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable system for everyone involved.
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BONUSTEXT (A2)
Overtourism is a big problem in the world. It happens when too many tourists go to a place, and it causes problems for local people and the environment.
One problem is that local people might not like it. When there are too many tourists, prices for things like food and houses go up. This makes it hard for local people to afford these things. For example, in Barcelona, many local people are unhappy because tourists are paying high prices for apartments, and this makes it hard for them to find a place to live.
Another problem is that tourism can hurt the environment. Many tourists mean more trash, more pollution, and more damage to natural places. For example, in Venice, the water is dirty, and the buildings are getting damaged because of all the tourists. In Bali, the beaches are getting crowded, and the local government is trying to limit the number of tourists to protect the environment.
Some places are trying to manage tourism better. For example, in Iceland, the government is trying to spread tourists out to different areas so that popular places don’t get too crowded. In Bhutan, the government charges a special fee for tourists to make sure that tourism helps the country and doesn’t hurt it.
Tourism can be good for a place because it brings money and jobs. But if it’s not managed well, it can cause big problems. Many places are trying to find ways to make tourism work for everyone – for local people, for tourists, and for the environment.
Places like Amsterdam and Dubrovnik are also trying new ideas. In Amsterdam, they’re trying to make sure tourists behave well and respect local rules. In Dubrovnik, they limited the number of cruise ships that can come to the city each day.
Overall, overtourism is a big challenge, but many places are working to make tourism better for everyone.