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Instagram tourists in Berchtesgadener Land: Nature in danger!
The article highlights the impact of growing tourism, especially through Instagram influencers, on nature and culture.
Instagram tourists in Berchtesgadener Land: Nature in danger!
The tourism sector shows consistent growth, which has both positive and negative impacts. Loud ARD media library Overcrowded cities, waste problems and damaged cultural sites are some of the negative consequences that are increasingly coming into focus. In particular, the increase in “Instagram tourists,” who are often inspired by influencers, creates additional challenges.
Young people in particular are looking for the perfect selfie in popular places. This hunt for the best picture not only impacts nature, but also the quality of life of the locals. Speaking of which, more and more communities are reporting that they have to defend themselves against this trend.
Protective measures against the onslaught
An example of effective measures is the closure of the area around the pools of the Königsbach waterfall in Berchtesgadener Land. This decision was made by the district office to protect nature. The Königsbach Waterfall, located above Lake Königssee, has seen an exponential increase in visitors in recent years, particularly through Instagram posts and hashtags that have popularized this location, such as National Geographic reported.
Carolin Scheiter from the Berchtesgaden National Park Administration mentions that the increase in Instagram tourists has been clearly noticeable for around three years. While most visitors to the national park behave in an exemplary manner and stay on the trails, there are more and more guests who ignore these rules. Sometimes there are long queues at the pools, where each visitor only has five minutes to take photos.
Consequences and challenges
The pools are located off the official paths, which increases the problem of trails. Visitors are often seen cutting through the bushes to get to the best photo spots. GPS data also leads to an increased number of visitors, even though there is no official signage in the national park indicating the pools.
The increasing number of visitors has a serious impact on nature and the locals. The challenges that tourism brings with it show the need for measures to preserve the environment and balance between tourist interests and nature conservation.