In my early 20s, I spent several months working in Venice. Although I was already an avid traveller, until that point I had not thought deeply about the impact of my travels. But in Italy, I started to see first-hand how tourism — specifically overtourism — can cause harm.
I experienced the effects of overtourism on daily life myself. I would avoid going out to run errands during the busiest times of day, based on cruise-ship schedules, for example. The Italians I worked for told me the cost of living in the city had gotten so high, many locals were forced to leave.
After that trip, I began thinking more actively about my role as a tourist, including how I could reduce the negative impact of my travels and give back to the communities I visited. I even launched a podcast, Curious Tourism, interviewing guests about responsible travel.
Here are five of the most important tips I’ve learned:
Resist destinations trending on social media
Instagram, TikTok and other social media platforms have a way of romanticizing destinations, and when those images or videos go viral, it can lead to huge surges of tourism. According to my recent feeds, Mykonos is the ultimate European summer escape; Bali is the place for digital nomads; and everyone wants a photo on a boat with Positano in the background.
Yes, these are gorgeous places that deserve attention. But when too many tourists flock to one place at once, it can be frustrating for locals and visitors alike (see: writer Rebecca Jennings’ Vox story on how Positano, the Instagram capital of the world, is actually “a terrible place to be”).
There are a few ways we can avoid adding to the crowds in trendy destinations. First, don’t travel there. Often, there are overlooked alternatives that also deserve attention. For example, rather than Mykonos, head to the beautiful (but lesser-known) Greek island of Naxos. Instead of Bali and Positano, consider visiting the south coast of Sri Lanka, or the Salento region of Southern Italy. If you can’t resist the popular destinations, opt to go in the shoulder or off-season.
Consider less crowded alternatives to trending destinations, such as Naxos (shown) instead of Mykonos, writes Erin Hynes.
Go much slower, and support local
In my early days of travelling, I was all about the fast pace. While backpacking across Europe for three months, I spent an average of three days in each place I visited. But this kind of whirlwind travel makes it difficult to have a positive economic impact on a destination: When you travel fast, you have fewer opportunities to use your tourism dollars, supporting local restaurants and other businesses, for good.
Slow travel also makes for better experiences. When I shifted to staying longer in each city or town I visited, I was able to learn more about those places. I had more time to observe, listen and explore, and made meaningful relationships with local people I met.
Treat travel as an immersive education
While it’s a given that you’ll learn at least a few things whenever you travel, being intentional about your learning — start before you leave home — can enrich a trip. Research the local customs and traditions, so you can contextualize what you experience and be respectful of the culture. Brush up on the local language (at least some basic words) so you can communicate a bit better.
Once you’re on a trip, the opportunities to learn are endless. Hiring a local guide, booking a homestay, taking a cooking class and just chatting with those you meet are all ways to intentionally learn. Experiencing other cultures and languages first-hand has helped me diversify my understanding of people, politics, social structures and more.
Trade short-haul flights for overland travel when possible
Sustainability is a big part of responsible travel because tourism contributes to the climate crisis. Flights add a large amount of greenhouse gases to our atmosphere. It might not be realistic to cut out flying entirely, but we can change how we fly, such as replacing short-haul flights (two hours or less) with overland travel by train, bus or car.
Not only can travelling overland reduce your carbon footprint, but it can also be an enriching experience. It gives you a chance to see more of the region you’re visiting and meet more local people along the way.
Continue learning about responsible travel
If you’d like a deeper understanding of the issues and how to travel more consciously, I recommend watching the documentary “The Last Tourist,” reading the book “The New Tourist” by journalist Paige McClanahan, and taking a short course on responsible tourism from the non-profit Rise Travel Institute.
Responsible tourism is a complex topic, but start by doing what you can to reduce the negative impact of your trips, and build from there.
