How Countries Abroad Handle ‘too much tourism’
Although tourism is good for local income and jobs, it’s out of hand in many places (the Lake District, Bath city and Stratford-upon-Avon – due to the Shakespeare connection).
The Cotswolds village of Bourton-on-the-Water has residents concerned over ‘TikTok visitors’ who descend to take selfies with beautiful backdrops. But leave litter behind, having no appreciation of local nature and heritage.
The same is happening abroad. Many popular tourist cities (Venice, Rome, Paris) are all taking action, fed up of tourists descending on their homes to buy junk. Then taking tours operated by outside companies, so not even supporting local jobs.
In Barcelona, locals have taken to the streets to ‘tell tourists to go home’. This beautiful coastal city can have 35,000 people descend from cruise ships all at once onto one main street. To buy tacky souvenirs, then off they go off to their next destination.
Here are a few ideas that countries abroad are using to tackle ‘too much tourism’, that perhaps we could use in England:
For coastal areas, read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
Don’t Drop Litter
Always follow the Countryside Code. You wouldn’t want someone dropping litter in your house and garden, so don’t do it on someone else’s patch.
Travel Off-Season
Encourage staggered off-season travel, so hotels and guest houses receive income year-round. Rather than in a short season, which creates too much traffic and noise.
Avoid Tourist Hotspots
Consider booking in less touristy areas with small independent guesthouses. These are quieter, and likely more relaxing to rest explore.
Also stay a bit longer to really get to know somewhere, rather than whizzing in and out of a night or two. Booking local with a bed-and-breakfast also avoids roads clogged with coach parties.
Use Public Transport
If possible, this is good to avoid clogging roads with traffic (many big hotels also charge a fortune for parking, so you’ll also save money). This also helps to encourage councils to invest in better bus routes.
Treat and Pay Hotel Staff Well
Top London hotels (that charge thousands for just one night) often pay minimum wage to staff, with shoddy accommodation. Clean for Good pays staff the higher voluntary London Real Living wage (and uses Delphis Eco cleaning products to protect health of its staff, as well as the planet).
Consider a Tourist Tax?
Venice has banned loud speakers, and is bringing a ‘tourist tax’ to fund litter clean-ups. Barcelona is planning the same (council workers have to empty dustbins 14 times daily). And in Tuscany, action is being taken on cigarette litter that has led to wildfires.
Ban Short-Term Letting?
The mayor of Florence has banned short-term lets, to bring down property rental prices for residents. The same is happening in St Ives (Cornwall), where second-homes lay empty for most of the year, while locals are priced out of the housing market.
