WITHOUT RUINING IT

Locals sick of tourists running riot have a point. How can you travel sensitively, asks Sarah Marshall

Last year, “over-tourism” became the big story in travel, when, in popular destinations around the world, locals took to the streets to protest against being deluged by tourists. They concluded the benefits of tourism weren’t worth the hassle. Tourists, too, 100-deep trying to see the Mona Lisa from 30m away, or unable to get into Venice’s St Mark’s Square, complained they came to see the sights — not other tourists.

Parts of the UK have had the same problems, with Bath residents complaining tourism has ruined the city and councillors proposing to introduce a tourist tax to fund public services in times of austerity.

With more than 10 countries in Europe taxing tourists, some to conserve heritage sites damaged by tourism, the UK has been slow to follow suit. But it won’t be long before other UK regions consider it.

So what is a traveller to do? In essence, there are a couple of options. The first is to find unfamiliar ways to see familiar places; the second is to seek out unfamiliar places. Here are some suggestions on how to do this: Local guides know how to avoid the crowds. They know when the daily cruise ship excursions start and finish. They know the lulls during the day, the different viewpoints and the inside track on how to experience things in different ways. From these guides, you’ll also learn the perspectives and relationship to their heritage that local people have, not just what everybody is reading in their guidebook. Plus, you’ll be helping her or him earn a living. If you can, travel outside peak season. This is not always possible, especially for families, but over-tourism is partly caused by everyone wanting to go to the same places at the same time. In southern Europe, the winter and autumn light can be magical and more bearable than the summer heat as global warming takes hold. Regardless of when you go on holiday, travelling with a little respect earns you respect. Travelling responsibly also means a little more of your money reaches local hands. Think local in all that you do and avoid big international chain hotels when you can. It makes sense that residents and workers who are treated well and who see the benefits of tourism directly might offer you new and different ways to experience their culture and heritage to that offered to the hordes. It is convenient for the tourism industry to focus its marketing and operations on a few “big name” places. No doubt many of these places are remarkable and unique, but as any traveller will know, sometimes there are other, more off-the-beatentrack places that are just as good or better. They will also be less crowded and much more in need of visitors. You’ll often get a warmer welcome there than in places fed up with tourists. Local protesters have a point. Imagine your home town being overrun by tourists and how you would feel. Support those affected by feeding back ideas, or over-tourism complaints, to your holiday company. Or make a point of travelling with a company that feels the same way about travel as you do.

— AAP