Over-Tourism: How To Avoid Being ‘That Tourist’ On Holiday

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Rental prices in Barcelona are skyrocketing due to the influx of tourists in recent years and understandably, locals are not impressed.

Citizens took to the streets this summer to protest against the rising numbers of visitors. The words “Barcelona: Tourists welcome, locals not welcome” were displayed on cardboard as people marched through the city in July.

But Spain isn’t the only country frustrated with holidaymakers.

Over-tourism is essentially when excessive amounts of tourists visit an area. This has negative effects on the local environment, landscape, and communities. Beaches lose their appeal due to littering and overcrowding and once relatively peaceful towns begin to drown in noise pollution.

Rental prices in many major cities are being affected by temporary residents. With over 26 million visitors a year, it’s not surprising that locals in Barcelona are finding it difficult to find affordable housing.

But it’s not just the locals that are affected by over-tourism. It does not make the vacation experience any nicer for the tourist either. The overcrowded streets and the increase in long queues and high prices have a huge impact on the traveller’s experience.

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If a city has an excessive number of visitors, it can start to drive the local communities away. Places therefore tend to lose the original charm that people were visiting them for in the first place.

To combat these issues many cities have implemented a city tax for tourists. Essentially, when you arrive at your accommodation you will have to pay a fee for each night that you stay. Amsterdam recently increased fees from 7% to 12.5% at the beginning of this year.

In one instance, a local bus route in Spain was removed from Google Maps as so many tourists were using it. Local people who needed to avail themselves of the service couldn’t do so due to the excessive numbers of people.

Don’t get us wrong, here at STELLAR we love to travel and believe it is an incredible way to appreciate other places and cultures. However, there are many ways to make your vacation more sustainable and respectful. Websites such as sustainabletravel.org provide amazing resources for anyone interested in becoming a more conscious traveller.

It’s important to respect the cultures, ecosystems, and communities in the places we visit. We’ve come up with several tips to get you started!

Consider the Environment

When on holiday it is important to keep up with your regular environmentally friendly ways. Try to avoid excessive single-use plastic and opt for a reusable water bottle and coffee cup for your trip.

Always sustainable dispose of any rubbish according to local practices. By doing this we can keep our beautiful touristy spots looking clean!

Think of the Locals

Remember to support the local businesses and communities. This keeps cultural diversity alive and supports the local economy.

Why not take up a cooking class for a local delicacy or do a walking tour to learn about the historical significance of the city? Go off the beaten track and opt for more authentic cuisine experiences. The food is typically better here anyway!

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Have some Spatial Awareness!

Before you embark on your incredible travel adventure, try avoid going during peak season. It is important to support touristy spots all year round and going in the off-season may just make your trip a much better one!

You are guaranteed to find much cheaper deals and prices in the off-season and trust me, nobody wants to have to wait in line to take their holiday Instagram story.

Getting from A to B

Consider how you will get around while on your trip. It’s important to allow locals to still be able to go about their daily activities. Avoid rental cars and opt for public transport. This will help reduce traffic congestion which can impact locals’ commutes.

Remember to be respectful to others on public transport. Look out for older and vulnerable people who may need you to give up your seat for them. If you can walk, even better! This is a great way to explore the city and see things you may not have otherwise. Get those steps in!

Learn the Basics

You’re not going to become fluent, but knowing the basics of the language will stand to you. ‘Hello,’ ‘thanks,’ and ‘excuse me’ are great places to start.

Duolingo has great lessons on ordering in cafes and restaurants, so why not spend an hour or two brushing up before you head off? It’ll be appreciated.

Even though it may not be your home, it is somebody else’s. If you decide to visit a country it’s important to respect the surroundings as if it was your own

Happy travels!

Words by Ava Grace

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• travel