Yea, verily and all of that. If you consider yourself to be a history boffin and can’t get enough of the past, then this post is for you. However, if you could care less about the past, even last week’s events, stick with us, anyway. Whether you’re a traveler or not, the content of this post is rather pertinent because it impacts all of us, in one way or another.
The bottom line here is about travel in this day and age. Travel availability and affordability has made profound changes to us and our planet. The internet and mobile technology have transformed how people plan and book travel. Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia, Booking.com, and Airbnb have made it easier to compare prices and book accommodations. Hence, the crowds.
When Louis Turner and John Ash first published The Golden Hordes: International Tourism and the Pleasure Periphery in 1975, concerns about excess tourism were evident. It is no accident that they used the term “golden hordes”, comparing the effects of tourist groups to the “cultural devastation left in the wake of the great barbarian migrations.” And that is where we find ourselves now. Too much, too little, too late.
The global economy has become more interconnected, leading to more business travel and a desire to explore international markets. Also, The widespread use of GPS has made it easier for travelers to navigate unfamiliar places, whether driving, walking, or using public transportation, encouraging those who may not find it fiscally possible to travel.
This is very much the yin / yang, have / have not conundrum that has been predicted for decades. Transport congestion, skyrocketing property prices, ecosystem degradation: excessive visitor numbers are taking a heavy toll on local residents. From Barcelona to Venice, Kyoto to Bali, authorities are beginning to take steps to stem the flow of visitors without drying up this major source of revenue. A difficult balance to strike. What to do? Read this UNESCO article about what experts are doing to change the balances. Click here.
Start slowly, then taper off. That is the way.
One way to reduce the strain is smart, relaxing rail tours. Wendy Woo has yours. Click here.
Enough is enough. Take a break. Venice isn’t going anywhere. The city will wait..