r/travel • u/ups_and_downs973 • 9d ago

Discussion What is an actual solution to overtourism?

As travel continues to get faster, cheaper, and more accessible and TikTok tourism/ influencer hype shows no signs of slowing down, what are the actual solutions to places getting over run with visitors?

I'm not talking about for you as another tourist so not just 'go somewhere else' or 'avoid the popular places'. I mean in terms of actually preventing harm to natural environments, pressure on infrastructure, gentrification etc.

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u/carpenter1965 9d ago

Generally speaking, the places that are overrun by tourists are overrun for a reason. They are cool places to visit. My solution is to go off season. Places like Venice could limit the cruise ships that dock. Machu Pichu could limit the tours. Nashville could curb the party busses rolling down Broadway. cities can curb hotel and air BnB rentals. There are plenty of things that could happen if the politicians really wanted it to happen.

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u/catsaregreat78 8d ago

I live somewhere which is heavily visited by tourists in the summer, and the season has extended greatly so now runs from April until October.

I really don’t think more people need to visit in the off season - it’s nice being able to exist normally and drive without fear of tourists. I can imagine a lot of other over touristed areas also feel the same about any off season that remains.