We've all read the stories. Bad and outright disrespectful behavior on full display across the globe at Unesco sites, Holy sites, and a range of historic landmarks and monuments. Joining this unruly group of travelers in the latest transgression is a 27 year old Dutch man who decided to tag his name in graffiti on a wall in Herculaneum. As if the city didn't suffer enough by its destruction in 79 AD by Mount Vesuvius.
Post pandemic travel has seen a surge of this offensive type of tourist with dozens of transgressions in 2023 alone. We saw someone drive a car across the Ponte Vecchio, a beautiful pedestrian bridge in Florence. He didn't have an International Drivers Permit either, which is illegal in Italy.
We had numerous accounts of nudity at religious sites, in sunflower fields, and other locations with disregard for who may be able to see them, children included. Then there was the idiot who thought jumping from a 3 story building into a Venetian canal would be a great way to gain likes. And of course, there seems to be a constant parade of people carving their initials into the likes of the Coliseum, a Buddhist temple, and so forth.
So where do these boneheads come from? Well, everywhere it appears. There does not seem to be a trend of one particular country being the home of the majority of these folk. Canada, Switzerland, China, the UK and the USA all have their fair share as do many other countries. That isn't to say tourists are all welcomed equally everywhere.
Who Has the Worst Tourists?
The long and short of it is that it depends on who you ask and where they are from. If you were to ask somebody in Spain or the Netherlands which group of tourists they are not particularly fond of, they'll let you know about the rowdy groups that come in for their birthday/bachelor/bachelorette parties and cause mayhem everywhere. If you were to ask an Australian, you would get a completely different group of people that they would complain about.
So how does North America stack up? Gone are the days when the traveler that was most unwelcome globally was an American. Yes, there may still be a few who go to a country and fully expect everyone there to speak English, and yes, perhaps some are still a bit loud and obnoxious at times, but for the most part that stereotype has all but disappeared.
Yet, even with this increased popularity, Canadians still go to great lengths to assert their nationality when traveling. Flags on backpacks and the like. Not sure why that is the case anymore though, I can honestly say I've met an equal number of both nationalities while traveling who were super nice and respectful. I've also met and equal number of the worst that both countries have to offer so I'd say Americans and Canadians are welcomed about the same around the world today.
So, one really can't pin a country down as having the worst tourists. It is really a matter of context. One thing is certain though, the idiots who choose to deface, disrespect, and demean can come from anywhere and are welcome nowhere. That brings me to my next segment...
How Some Countries or Cities are Combatting Over Tourism and/or Bad Behavior
Imagine walking through the crowded streets of a once serene town, now overrun by throngs of tourists vying for the perfect selfie. As visits to exotic destinations and picturesque travel spots have increased, the impact of excessive tourism on local communities and ecosystems has also increased. Countries and/or cities around the world are grappling with the challenges posed by over tourism, leading to the implementation of various restrictions to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and preserving the essence of their regions. Here are a few examples of how some of those places are coping.
Conservation Over Convenience
In a bid to protect their natural wonders and cultural heritage, countries such as Iceland and New Zealand have implemented restrictions on visitor numbers to sensitive sites. By limiting access to fragile ecosystems and heritage sites, these nations are prioritizing conservation over convenience, ensuring that future generations can also appreciate the beauty of these locations. In addition both countries have added a conservation fee for travelers arriving in the country. Iceland will collect around 5-10 dollars per night you are there, while New Zealand charges a $25 fee upon arrival to the country.
Sustainable Tourism Initiatives
The concept of sustainable tourism is gaining traction as travelers seek authentic experiences that have a positive impact on local communities. Cities like Barcelona are promoting responsible tourism practices by regulating cruise ship arrivals, limiting the number of visitors in popular areas, and encouraging off-peak travel. Barcelona has also placed a water limit that a tourist can use, and other measures to preserve water during an excessive drought have also been put into place. Your hotel pool, for example, might be closed entirely and you can forget about taking a shower on the beach.
A trip to Venice will now also cost you an additional €5 entry fee for day-trippers which is mostly aimed at the cruise ship passengers. Venice has recently banned cruise ships from entering the city. They are forced to dock at nearby Marghera, because it is still part of the Venetian lagoon, some people fear that the lagoon’s ecosystem would still be suffering.
Those staying overnight are exempt but may have a general tourist fee applied to their hotel bill as is common throughout Europe. You can expect to pay additional fees at any hotel stay just to allow the countries to pay for upkeep and tourism costs in general.
Striking a Balance
Finding the equilibrium between welcoming tourists and preserving the right to enjoy daily life by its residents is a delicate balancing act. Amsterdam has introduced measures such as time-slot reservations for attractions, and designated tourist-free zones to manage visitor numbers and protect the local way of life. Starting in 2024, Amsterdam has raised its tourist tax to 12.5% of the accommodation cost, making it the highest tourist tax in Europe.
They have also banned tour buses in the city center, banned any further tourist shops from opening, and is reducing the number of bed and breakfasts allowed in each district by 30%. New permits for B&Bs in busy areas, particularly in the city center, will not be issued for the next four years. This is part of a broader effort to prioritize housing for residents over tourist accommodations. Additional efforts are being made to curb bad behaviors by those hell-bent on causing chaos (like those aforementioned bachelor and bachelorette parties). For example, they are closing down the bars earlier and banning marijuana smoking on the streets in many tourist hotspots such as the Red Light District in the City Center.
Summary
In the face of over-tourism, countries and cities are taking proactive measures to protect their cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and quality of life for residents. By implementing restrictions on visitor numbers, promoting sustainable tourism initiatives, and fostering a culture of responsible travel, many destinations are striving to find a balance that benefits both tourists and the locals who depend on those tourist for their livelihood.
We have the opportunity and responsibility to be mindful of our impact and we should be supporting destinations that prioritize sustainability and preservation. We all need to work together to ensure that future generations can also explore and appreciate the beauty of our world without compromising its integrity or enraging its inhabitants!
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