A NO-GO GUIDE TO TRAVEL IN 2018
Overtourism, pollution, safety among reasons Fodor’s suggests visitors avoid these destinations
As you contemplate all those “where to go in 2018” lists, here’s a twist: a list of places to avoid.
Travel guidebook publisher Fodor’s “no list” includes places plagued by overtourism and safety issues. Among the places on the Fodor’s “avoid” list:
TAJ MAHAL
This year, the Taj Mahal’s dome will get its first thorough cleaning since the monument was built 369 years ago. Fodor’s says “unless your dream Taj Mahal visit involves being photographed standing in front of a mud-caked and be-scaffolded dome, maybe give it until 2019 at the earliest.”
THE GALAPAGOS
Ecuador heavily regulates tourism in the Galapagos as part of its environmental conservation policies, but Fodor’s says the islands’ fragile ecosystems remain vulnerable.
PLACES THAT DON’T WANT YOU TO VISIT
Too many tourists in places like Venice and Amsterdam have resulted in a local backlash against visitors. Fodor’s says we should just stay away.
PHANG NGA PARK, THAILAND
Fodor’s says “the rush to paradise has overwhelmed” some of Thailand’s beaches with pollution and overuse. Fodor’s recommends taking “the road less littered.”
MOUNT EVEREST
Fodor’s says the pursuit of bragging rights from a trip up Mount Everest just isn’t worth the danger (six people died climbing there in 2017) and cost (up to US$45,000).
MYANMAR
Just a few years ago Myanmar was on every globetrotter’s list, having opened up to tourism after years of isolation. Now Myanmar is one of the world’s pariahs because of a violent campaign against the ethnic Rohingya minority.
MISSOURI
Fodor’s cites reports that African-Americans were more likely than whites to be stopped by police there, as well as other incidents and policies that raise questions about various types of discrimination.
GREAT WALL AND BEIJING
Fodor’s cites the deterioration of sections of the Great Wall of China and air pollution in Beijing as reasons to stay away.
HONDURAS
The murder rate in Honduras has dropped recently but it’s still among the deadliest places on earth.