Traveling through the ages: Spode on overtourism and the past

Traveling through the ages: Spode on overtourism and the past

On May 17, 2025, the renowned tourism researcher Hasso Spode discussed the history and development of tourism in a conversation. With Rose and Jesse from England, Spode not only discusses the fascination of traveling, but also expresses clear criticism of overtourism, which has put increasing pressure on popular travel destinations over the years. Tourism has been perceived as exaggerated for more than 100 years, which Spode supports in his conversation using historical developments.

He explains that travel is not inherently ingrained in people's genes, but was only considered a deviation from the norm after settling down around 6,000 years ago. Early forms of travel, such as pilgrimages, show parallels to modern tourism, in which travelers often seek authentic experiences and bring souvenirs as common elements to express their travel experiences.

The evolution of travel culture

Spode also draws an interesting arc from the Industrial Revolution, in which inventions such as the steam engine and the railway revolutionized people's mobility, to today's possibilities that have democratized travel. The introduction of the “Baedeker” travel guide was a significant step that enabled the middle class to travel independently and explore new travel destinations. The first “Baedeker” travel guide was published in 1835 and is still considered a reliable source of information for individual tourists who want to prepare for their trips.

Also informed NDR, that travel guides have existed since the Middle Ages, when travel was largely reserved for merchants, soldiers and pilgrims. Thomas Cook, who invented package tourism in the 19th century, set another milestone in the history of travel by making travel accessible to a wider range of people.

The demand for travel increased particularly in the post-war period, when the economic miracle in West Germany also meant that trips abroad, especially to Italy, became popular. At the same time, in the GDR, vacation was a constitutional right for all working people. Today, thanks to the Internet and mobile apps, travel is easier than ever and offers a variety of possibilities that go far beyond travel in the 19th or 20th century.

Social perception and challenges

However, protests against tourism are currently increasing. Spode points out that the negative attitude towards tourists is not new, but has grown historically and is deeply rooted. It is noticeable that the people who complain about tourists often travel a lot themselves and are therefore part of the problem.

On a personal note, Jesse says that he and Rose travel to Berlin on the anniversary of Jesse's father's death, which illustrates the emotional dimension of travel and the personal connections that come with it. Spode concludes his remarks with a plea for the fact that we are all tourists and emphasizes the need to treat each other with kindness and respect.

A historical look back makes it clear how travel has changed over the centuries and the deep cultural, political and social changes associated with it. Hasso Spode and his involvement with the tourism archive at the TU make this change tangible and offer a valuable contribution to travel literature, which in its current form is supplemented by competition from online resources.