[Overtourism] is the phenomenon of a popular destination or tourist attraction being overrun by tourists in an unsustainable way;.

That’s the way British journalist Greg Dickinson defined the term.

Over-tourism has become a buzzword regarding the adverse effects of tourism. However, the problem itself has been known for much longer. Nevertheless, the topic did not attract media attention until a sudden outcry from the population of affected cities and regions and a trend towards more sustainable tourism practices.
In recent years travel has become a mass product. Hence, with increased airlines and airfares, the evolution of Airbnb has made traveling affordable to the broad masses.
We started consuming traveling the same way we did with food and clothing, too much with too little respect for environmental impacts. On the quest for utmost tranquility and relaxation, people stopped traveling to explore and often brought little interest in the county visited beyond the borders of the chosen resort. Often we listen to locals complaining about visitors who are not interested or even appear scared.

Social Media & Tourism

We are lucky to live in times where we get to explore the world so freely. Yet, we should remember that traveling offers unique ways to overcome cross-cultural prejudices and fears and establish empathy and understanding. Therefore, we can’t allow tourism to exceed its capacities. Especially in social media, it becomes even more critical to connect to a country and its people. A destination is always more than an Instagram post! It’s in our hands to choose our destinations wisely and responsibly. Undoubtedly, the world holds lots of beautiful places, but we should never forget the people who call the area their home. If you are interested in becoming a more responsible traveler, check out our guide on becoming a more responsible traveler.

Over-tourism and its impact

Europe, in particular, as the world’s largest tourist destination, is at great risk. People in cities like Venice and Barcelona suffer from dramatic cuts in their daily lives.

The Philippines and Thailand had to take even more drastic measures to recover from several years of over-tourism. Several beautiful beaches and islands were closed to give nature and wildlife time to regenerate.

The majority of the tourism industry doesn’t measure its success in term of workplaces created but in terms of absolute visitor numbers. The superlative wins. For many years there has been no regard for the impact of those high numbers. Souvenirs nowadays are even mass-produced abroad and shipped back to the destination.

How to lessen the impact of over-tourism

1. Travel slow and take your time

The paradise in Bali has almost collapsed because there were too many, too fast offers. “Bali – for ten days all-inclusive, super cheap.” Too many people have hit, so Bali quickly became one of the hippest travel destinations. As a result, there are polluted coastal sections and unfortunate islanders who suffer from the increasing garbage problem.

2. Travel during low season

This is our travel advice number one! We always try to avoid the peak travel times of the tourist strongholds! Especially if we visit popular destinations like Zanzibar or Belize.

3.Do your research before you go!

Choosing locally-owned, eco-friendly accommodations and tour providers is not a question of budget or hippie travel. It’s about accepting responsibility and stepping up!

4. Consume locally

Give the local specialties a try! While everything may not be the same as at home, it’s a new experience, and that’s what we travel for, isn’t it?

5. Travel of the beaten path!

Find destinations away from mass tourism. So many beautiful places are waiting to be explored.

El Salvador: The small country hardly knows what tourism means; nevertheless, it is our dream destination number one. Beach&Surfing, city&culture, volcanoes&lakes. Beyond that, El Salvador is a safe travel country for tourists.

What is tourism leakage?

Out of every $100 spent on vacations in developing countries only $5 stay there. Developing countries, however, get a full serving of environmental pollution, increasing noise and air pollution, rising prices, and mountains of rubbish. On top of that, the masses become disruptive in everyday life, causing entire villages and towns to lose their original charm and inhabitants. A UN study of 1996 found that the net income of tourism in the Caribbean is more significant to the industry than to the actual net income of the respective countries.

What’s causing tourism-leakage?

1) Our comfort often has to be imported. Especially developing countries can facilitate the mass production and supply of many commodities. Hence they are imported to satisfy visitors. So what stays in the trash.
2) Massive tourist facilities require massive investments. This can often not be paid for by local investors. International investors or holdings own many big chains or even resorts. The profits made usually leave the country directly.

As we try to become more responsible travelers and leave a positive impact, we wondering if it is still ok to book with Airbnb?

Admittedly, we loved staying at Airbnbs for the comfort and the low price. On top of that, we often had the chance to get to know the locals. Today there are more than 4 million listings on Airbnb worldwide. What started as an example of the sharing economy quickly became commercialized, with new rooms everywhere. With the commercialization and tremendous growth, the character and use changed drastically. The evolution of Airbnb has even entirely changed neighborhoods and impacted the daily lives of many.

The bright side of Airbnb:

Not everything is black or white. While we understand the issues arising from Airbnb, there are definitely some advantages and upsides.
For one, Airbnb has acknowledged the arising problems and has committed to improving the situation, especially in areas suffering from over-tourism.
According to Airbnb’s study (studies can be read a million different ways), 31%-96% of Airbnb experiences occur outside the main tourist areas. Of course, there are enormous implications where Airbnb gets too commercialized, but in many places, it offers an easy tap into tourism for locals.

By booking an AirBnB owned by a local, you provide a revenue stream because profits from AirBnBs go directly to the host.
On top of that, unlike tourists visiting hotels, Airbnb guests are more likely to spend money with local stores. Therefore minimizing the tourism leakages and directly impacting the local economy.

Getting to know the locals

The perfect Airbnb is an exciting place to stay and contact locals. Local hosts can provide insight and knowledge of hidden gems and stories. According to Airbnb, 61 percent of recommendations are by a single host. This makes up for an incredible number of 1 Million unique experiences local Airbnb hosts provide.

Can we still use Airbnb as a responsible traveler?

We’d say: yes! Airbnb can be a great experience, not just for you but also for the host. However, as with many things, making conscious decisions is vital.
Make sure to check out our guide on how to choose an Airbnb responsibly.

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