Changes in International Tourism Affect Travelers

By Victor Block

As I was perusing the menu at a restaurant while visiting Cologne, Germany, an English-speaking resident of the city seated at the next table asked if she could see my bill of fare. Glancing at the prices, she showed me her menu and pointed out that the cost for the same items was quite a bit lower. She was nice enough to ask me what I wished to order, call over a waiter and insist that he charge me the amounts that she would pay.

Last spring, a restaurant in Tokyo named Tamatebako began charging non-Japanese diners $44 for an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Japanese patrons, however, paid $38.

These are just two examples among many of reactions to the recent explosion in the number of people traveling around the world. Negative impacts that overtourism can have include damage to physical infrastructure, increased traffic and pollution, a strain on public resources and lower quality of life for locals. At the same time, hordes of visitors descending upon a destination can greatly diminish their experience.

Some disgruntled locals complain that a tourist invasion has inflated the cost of living. Grocers, clothing stores and other vendors boost prices to levels that may seem like good deals for relatively well-heeled outsiders but prohibitive for those who live there. Investors snatch up properties to rent to short-stay customers, driving up housing costs.

In Barcelona, Spain, rents have soared almost 70% in the past decade, caused by transformation to Airbnbs and other transitory properties. In reaction to this development, the city has banned room rentals in private apartments, raised the tax on overnight stays, capped construction of new hotels in the town center and limited the size of tour groups.

Other places and people also have begun to react to what they view as a growing threat. Individuals, cites and countries have begun to take steps to impose restrictions and reduce, if not eliminate, negative results.

In the Netherlands, these include construction of eco-friendly "green" hotels, making cities bike-friendly and supporting nature conservation programs. The Galapagos Islands limits the number of visitors to prevent environmental damage to its protected wildlife sanctuary.

These destinations are doing so while also recognizing -- and seeking not to undermine -- the positive influence that an influx of tourist dollars can have on local economies and service providers who cater to visitors. Tourism can be a golden goose for places whose economy largely depends upon it. To those that don't, it can be a mixed blessing.

Focusing on the downside of the equation, thousands of Spaniards carrying signs reading "Tourists go home" took to the streets of Barcelona in July. Some were armed with water pistols that caused visitors to flee from restaurant patios.

Venice, Italy, has instituted a daily visitation fee in an effort to control overtourism. The government of Greece has imposed a timed ticketing system to control the number of people entering the Acropolis in Athens, the citadel that houses the Parthenon and other ancient architectural treasures.

Mega-cruise ships, which can disgorge thousands of day-trippers, also are being targeted. Amsterdam has increased the daily fee paid by passengers who disembark to explore the city. In May, demonstrators at a port in Brittany, France, forced Silversea Cruises to limit the number of passengers alighting from one of its ships. In July, activists from a "Stop Cruises" group prevented a Regent Seven Seas liner from docking there.

Efforts to remove the causes of these kinds of complaints are underway and offer hope about striking a balance between travelers who seek to experience other cultures and the people whose lives can be negatively affected as a result. Tourism boards around the world, whose primary goal is to attract vacationers, are taking steps to appeal to what they consider to be "good" visitors. Outreach in New Zealand is targeted to people who are seeking to enjoy -- and help preserve -- that country's magnificent natural environment. Amsterdam is focusing on sightseers who wish to learn about the city's fascinating history and rich culture.

Bhutan welcomes visitors to experience its Gross National Happiness Index, which is based on a holistic approach to sustainable development that stresses compassion, human well-being and preservation of the environment.

These projects and programs set the stage for travelers to serve as good ambassadors to destinations they visit. That will help those places protect the attractions that are among the reasons people go there and also will enrich the experience of being there.

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WHEN YOU GO

Tips for being a "good" traveler include:

If you're planning to visit a country where people speak a different language, try to learn at least a few words and phrases, such as hello, goodbye, thank you and I need help. Not only might they come in handy, but residents also appreciate the effort to say something in their native tongue.

Research local customs and traditions. Find out what the usual attire is, and if it leans conservative, leave flashy shirts and cutoff shorts at home.

Speak softly. In Muslim countries, Japan and elsewhere, talking loudly is considered to be impolite.

Purchase the currency of where you are. This will allow you to buy items from street vendors and small shops that accept only cash and could lead to an enriching conversation.

Remember that as a guest, you are an informal ambassador for your country. Act in ways that you would like visitors from other countries to comport themselves where you live.

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Victor Block is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.