In recent years, the world of travel was stricken by a seemingly new crisis called ‘overtourism’. Although it’s not something the industry is unfamiliar with, the term blew up in the media Summer of 2017 following a series of anti-tourism marches spread across Europe. It gained so much traction that it was even included in the 2018 “Word of the Year” list of Oxford Dictionary. Now, the Global Wellness Summit turns to the rise of wellness travel to relieve the industry of this problem.
In recent years, the world of travel was stricken by a seemingly new crisis called ‘overtourism’. Although it’s not something the industry is unfamiliar with, the term blew up in the media Summer of 2017 following a series of anti-tourism marches spread across Europe. It gained so much traction that it was even included in the 2018 “Word of the Year” list of Oxford Dictionary. Now, the Global Wellness Summit turns to the rise of wellness travel to relieve the industry of this problem.
But what is overtourism exactly and why should people pay attention to it? If you’re one who’s been bitten by the travel bug, you might want to read on and reconsider your #travelgoals this year.
What is Overtourism?
Ever waited hours in long queues just to see a popular tourist attraction for less than five minutes or have you experienced scrambling for a patch of sand in a once peaceful beach? If so, chances are, you’ve had a taste of overtourism. But it doesn’t just affect you as a traveller, the ecology and the locals are feeling the pressure too.
As defined, overtourism is “the excessive growth of visitors leading to overcrowding in areas where residents suffer the consequences of temporary and seasonal tourism peaks, which have enforced permanent changes to their lifestyles, access to amenities and general well-being. The claim is that overtourism is harming the landscape, damaging beaches, putting infrastructure under enormous strain, and pricing residents out of the property market.”
The Problem
“More and more people are travelling, but they all want to visit the same destination.”
When you think of overtourism, you can’t help but consider the impact technology has on the way people travel. From easier transport systems, accessible booking methods to the effects of social media, travel has become more popular than ever. Combine this with governmental efforts to promote tourism growth plus the increasing numbers of affluent travellers with more disposable income to spend on experiences, and you have an unstoppable industry that will only continue to expand. Although these schemes are geared toward economic growth and development, the real trouble lies in the concentration of tourism expansion. More and more people are travelling, but they all want to visit the same destinations. According to Euromonitor International, 46 per cent of all travellers go to just 100 destinations—Barcelona, Venice and Dubrovnik being among the most-cited examples of overtouristed places.
McKinsey/WTTC report reveals, “Alienated residents voice a number of concerns, including rising rents, noise, displacement of local retail, and changing neighbourhood character. In Barcelona, one of the first cities to elect a mayor who ran on a platform of managing overcrowding, residents complain of rising rents (as landlords opt to rent apartments to Airbnb guests instead of locals), and rowdy tourists taking over the city centre. In Venice, tourists are actually displacing locals. In just 30 years, the city’s population was cut in half, to 55,000 and locals continue moving to the mainland to escape the tourist influx.
Overtourism isn’t only a numbers problem. A destination doesn’t have to be swarming with tourists to experience backlash from it. Some destinations with delicate ecosystems such as remote islands and national parks can experience negative impacts in terms of pollution, overuse of natural resources, and harm to wildlife.
The Wellness Travel Solution
As the recent GWS trend report puts it, “Overtourism is a wellness issue for the world”, so it only makes sense to turn to wellness tourism for the solution. By nature, wellness travel is already ahead of the curve as experts say, diversifying the tourism product helps relieve pressure on natural and cultural resources and certainly, wellness assets have provided a path toward diversification and distribution. Wellness travel can draw visitors out of the usual touristy areas and into under-visited regions.
“Many countries are heeding the call, recognising the potential of wellness tourism to eradicate the problem whilst addressing economic development.”
Fortunately, many countries are heeding the call, recognising the potential of wellness tourism to eradicate the problem whilst addressing economic development. With the recent growth of this niche travel industry, many nations have recently begun thinking about how they can position themselves to attract wellness tourism. They are developing strategies in conjunction with assessing impacts on local communities, according to Katherine Johnston, the senior research fellow at the Global Wellness Institute. Starting from this point, she says, “lends itself to a more sustainable model for communities. The thinking of wellness is evolving to not just what’s good for me, but what is this bringing to the country and region.”
Taenoyu Onsen, one of the most famous onsen resort in Nyuto-Onsenkyo, Akita, Japan.
In addition, the wellness travel ideology is not just about a self-centred experience, but also about promoting a sense of tribe and community. GWI predicts that a “We” perspective will grow as our quest for well-being continues to evolve, and wellness travel will see a shift from a consumptive to a contribution mindset. This furthers the world’s collective efforts of driving sustainable travel, which is an initiative often sidetracked in favour of growth-focused schemes.
What Can You Do to Curb the Effects of Overtourism?
Our mission has always been to improve the lives of our clients through wellness travel and knowing the real effects of overtourism, we’re here to extend our mission to the rest of the travel community. With this, we want to share a few simple ways to #travelwithpurpose and help curb the effects of overtourism.
Look for Regional Alternatives
Bali is always a good idea, but have you ever thought of going on a Javanese holiday exploration? Experience the same level of fun minus the tourist crowds.
Travel Off-Season
Aside from being a great way to save money with cheaper everything from flights to hotels, travelling off-season relieves the influx of tourists at any particular time of year.
Live Like a Local
By avoiding the tourist trail, you also avoid the long queues and overcrowded haunts of your chosen destination, plus you get to have more authentic travel experiences.
Travel Ethically
“Kill nothing but time, leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.” Simply put, respect your surroundings and travel with minimal carbon footprint (single-use plastics, we’re onto you.)
Check out: Top 5 Eco-Friendly Holidays That Look After The Planet and You
Support the Local Community
Support nearby communities through programs like India’s Joy of Giving in Shreyas for a more meaningful experience. Also, keep an eye out for small local businesses and buy from them directly.
