10 Places Where Tourism Is Causing Real Tensions with Locals
Tourism can benefit a country’s economy and foster intercultural exchange and cultural immersion, however, tourism isn’t always a good thing. Many countries do not have the resources or space to accommodate the influx of tourists who often do not respect local customs or environmental restrictions.
Locals are beginning to voice their complaints in places where the effects of over-tourism are interrupting their daily lives. So let’s look at 10 places where locals fight the effects of booming tourism and tension is bubbling up.
Barcelona, Spain
Vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and sky-high tourist numbers have put Barcelona under the pressure of over-tourism. Locals are feeling overwhelmed in some of its most famous neighborhoods. For example, the Gothic Quarter’s narrow streets can’t cope with the steady stream of selfie sticks and walking tours. Property owners have converted long-term apartments into short-term vacation rentals, and rent has soared. Barcelona has tried to curb the impact with regulations but the issue remains a heated one among residents who feel their city’s soul is slipping away.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is world-famous for its charming canals, cycling culture, and cozy cafes! The city’s allure has become a problem for those who live there. Residents in the Red Light District find it difficult to maintain balance between local life and constant visitor presence. Locals say they feel uncomfortable in places where tourists often break local customs and leave a trail of litter. Amsterdam has responded by imposing ‘visitor bans’ on some vacation rentals and promoting lesser-known parts of the city.
Venice, Italy
Venice is nicknamed the fairy tale city, but for locals, this title is not as much a blessing as you’d think. During peak tourist season, the population swells to the point where it’s almost impossible to get to work or even find a place to shop for groceries. The canals aren’t just pretty gondola traffic jams, it is a big struggle for residents. Angry Venetians have started demanding action from the government to curb these disturbances and interruptions to their every day lives.
Kyoto, Japan
Once a laid-back city with its Zen temples and gardens, the effects of architects, artists, and writers visiting Kyoto in hopes of finding inspiration, has led to over-tourism. The city’s famous geisha district attracts tourists who crowd the city’s geisha districts, ruining the local culture by excessive photography or ignoring signs set to preserve the atmosphere. Residents have started avoiding these popular areas altogether because of the influx. To that, Kyoto responded by introducing respectful tourism campaigns, but the influx is still a sore spot for many locals.
Maui, Hawaii, USA
Maui has long been a draw for travelers seeking its lush landscapes and laid-back island vibe, however, it’s a double-edged sword for native Hawaiians who are seeing the number of visitors rise. Frustration has been stirred up by traffic congestion, rising housing costs, and the effect on natural resources, such as water. Some residents say the tourism industry drowns out their voices, and there has been a recent surge in anti-tourist sentiment that demands that visitors be mindful of the island’s limited resources.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik’s beautiful medieval architecture and role as a filming location for popular television series have made it one of the most popular tourist destinations. The city’s ancient streets weren’t built to handle the hundreds of thousands of annual visitors. To locals, particularly those who can’t afford sky-high rent, it means crowded public space, even higher rent, and the possibility of losing one’s city to the entertainment industry. Dubrovnik has started to impose stricter visitor caps.
Paris, France
The dream destination for many travelers is Paris, the City of Light, but Parisians sometimes feel like they’re living in a theme park. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Montmartre neighborhoods are always bustling with tourists who make some locals flee the city center altogether during peak season. Some Parisians have begun to wonder whether tourism’s benefits outweigh the disruptions, as rising rent, overcrowding and a sense of losing their authentic neighborhoods have become a constant source of worry.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Over the last decade, Iceland’s stunning landscapes and unique culture made it a rising star in tourism. Reykjavik’s locals have felt the squeeze as their town is overtaken by visitors whose numbers outstrip their population, particularly in festival season. Housing has become too expensive for locals to afford due to the demand. Iceland’s government has attempted to push responsible tourism, but the daily impact of mass tourism continues to create tension.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali has become a haven for travelers, its beaches and cultural landmarks are a magnet for those seeing a luxurious vacation destination, but tourism has grown, and with it comes problems, such as crowded beaches, environmental stress, and cultural misunderstandings. Locals say that some cultural sites are often treated as if they were mere backdrops, disrupting religious ceremonies. Efforts to educate tourists on cultural etiquette continue, but it is difficult to strike a balance between Bali’s charm, and the harsh realities of high-volume tourism.
Lisbon, Portugal
The picturesque streets and low cost of living in Lisbon attract visitors from within Europe, but now the locals are paying more rent and the cost of living is rising. Short-term rentals that cater to tourists have caused long-term residents to be priced out of traditional neighborhoods. Lisbon’s government has just limited the vacation rentals available, but locals are frightened by this decision’s long-term consequences on their communities and culture. Lisbon, they say, is becoming a tourist playground, rather than a local haven.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
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