Overtourism: How to be a responsible tourist - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

In 2024, tourism is set to reach unprecedented levels, with an estimated $11.1 trillion contribution to the global economy and 1.5 billion tourists. However, this boom brings overtourism, negatively impacting local communities and environments in destinations like Barcelona and Bali. The BBC's Rajan Datar discusses the challenges, including housing unaffordability for locals and environmental degradation. Solutions like dispersing tourism, promoting off-peak travel, and encouraging respectful, conscious tourism are explored, emphasizing the need for balance between the benefits of travel and its sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🌐 2024 is predicted to be a record year for tourism, with an unprecedented number of travelers visiting global destinations.
• 🏞️ Overtourism is causing significant issues in popular destinations like Barcelona, Paris, Hawaii, and Bali, impacting both residents and the environment.
• 💸 The tourism industry is set to contribute a staggering $11.1 trillion to the global economy, highlighting its massive scale.
• 🌍 Emerging markets, particularly India and China, are contributing to the surge in tourism, with increasing numbers of people traveling internationally.
• 🏠 The rise in short-term rentals for tourists is pricing local residents out of the market in cities like Barcelona.
• 🗣️ There is a growing resentment among locals in tourist-heavy areas, with some destinations experiencing protests due to overtourism.
• 🏔️ Some destinations like Mount Fuji and Hallstatt are taking measures to control tourism, such as blocking popular photo spots or limiting visitor numbers.
• 💧 Environmental concerns are prevalent, with issues like water scarcity and the displacement of local communities due to tourism development.
• 🌡️ Climate change is influencing travel patterns, with tourists seeking 'cool-cation' destinations in response to extreme heat in traditionally popular areas.
• 🏛️ Venice's introduction of an entry fee is an example of how some cities are trying to manage tourism through economic means and data collection.
• 🧳 The tourism industry is advocating for 'high value, low volume' tourism, encouraging responsible travel that benefits local economies and cultures.

Q & A

What is the expected impact of tourism on the global economy in 2024 according to the script?

The tourism industry is expected to contribute $11.1 trillion to the global economy in 2024, as stated by the World Travel and Tourism Council.

How does the script describe the tourism industry's size globally?

The script describes tourism as the third largest industry in the world.

What is the approximate number of people employed in the tourism industry as mentioned in the script?

The script mentions that 330 million people are employed in the tourism industry.

According to the script, which countries have seen a significant increase in travel and why?

The script highlights that India and China have seen a significant increase in travel, with the Indian outbound market overtaking the Chinese market due to India's large population of 1.5 billion people.

What term is used in the script to describe the surge in travel after the pandemic?

The term used in the script to describe the surge in travel after the pandemic is 'revenge tourism'.

Which city is mentioned in the script as an example of a location overwhelmed by tourism?

Barcelona is mentioned as an example of a city overwhelmed by tourism, with locals experiencing issues such as rising short-term rentals and being priced out of their own city.

What is the term used in the script to describe the phenomenon where local economies do not benefit significantly from tourism revenue?

The term used in the script is 'leakage', which refers to the situation where much of the money made in tourist centers does not stay within the local economy.

How does the script suggest that Venice is trying to manage overtourism?

The script suggests that Venice is managing overtourism by introducing a five euro admission fee and collecting data to encourage visitors to travel during off-peak times.

What is the term used in the script to describe the trend of tourists seeking unique and less common destinations?

The term used in the script is 'dispersal', which refers to the idea of spreading tourism to less visited areas to alleviate pressure on popular destinations.

How does the script address the issue of environmental damage caused by tourism?

The script addresses environmental damage by mentioning issues like water scarcity in destinations like Bali and the impact of tourism on local farming communities, such as in Kenya.

What advice does the script offer to travelers regarding their impact on destinations they visit?

The script advises travelers to be more conscious of the host community, respect local culture, and be aware of their impact on the environment and local economies.