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Avoid These Crowded Travel Destinations – Take Responsibility Now!
Discover the challenges of overcrowded travel destinations and tips for more sustainable tourism in Germany and worldwide.
Avoid These Crowded Travel Destinations – Take Responsibility Now!
Germans' desire to travel continues unabated, but many former dream destinations are increasingly becoming problem areas. According to the US travel magazine Fodor’s, which publishes an annual “No List”, travelers should avoid certain destinations in the future. This list is a warning sign that shows how mass tourism, environmental disasters and dilapidated infrastructure can overwhelm popular travel destinations. More and more locals in cities like Barcelona and Mallorca feel pushed out by the influx of tourists.
Classic holiday resorts are facing massive pressure from tourists. For example, the North Coast 500 in Scotland and the city of Rovaniemi in Finland are suffering from a collapse of their ecosystems. Garbage problems and high costs of living are the consequences of unregulated tourism. This also has fatal effects on the infrastructure, such as in Agrigento on Sicily, where the water supply cannot be secured.
Global challenges caused by mass tourism
Asia is suffering from the consequences of “tourism pollution”. Cities like Kyoto and Tokyo are seeing an increase in waste and pollution. The situation is particularly dramatic in Bali, where 33,000 tons of plastic are produced every year, and in Koh Samui, where around 200,000 tons of garbage end up in landfills. These problems are not just local; There have also been severe landslides in regions such as Kerala in India, with hundreds of deaths, caused by unregulated construction projects and the exponential increase in tourists.
Equally alarming are developments on Mount Everest, where inexperienced tourists pose a danger to local guides. The United States and the Caribbean are struggling with extreme social injustices that are exacerbated by tourism. In Oaxaca, Mexico, rents have been rising rapidly since 2020, making life difficult for locals. The British Virgin Islands also face institutional failures, such as repairing sewage treatment plants.
Alternatives to mass tourism
Mass tourism is not only a challenge for overcrowded beaches, but also has far-reaching ecological and economic impacts. Originally concentrated in coastal cities like Palma de Mallorca, this trend is spreading to cultural sites and natural areas. This leads to rising prices and a loss of local culture as locals are forced to abandon their traditional occupations. A sustainable form of travel is urgently needed to counteract the harmful effects.
Sustainability in tourism
Sustainable tourism, defined by the UNWTO, incorporates economic, social and environmental impacts into its concepts. It is intended to create jobs, promote people's well-being and preserve nature and culture. Travelers should think critically about how they plan their trips and use alternative means of transport such as cycling or walking. CO2 compensation through donations to organizations such as “Atmosfair” can also make a positive contribution.
Choosing sustainable accommodation and local providers helps reduce the environmental footprint. Tourists can minimize their impact through behavioral changes such as changing towels less often and avoiding litter. Activities involving animals should be chosen carefully to avoid negative ecological impacts. Ultimately, tourism remains a form of activity that has a certain degree of impact on the environment, but through targeted decisions a sustainable trip can be created.