eBusiness Weekly
No matter what you call it — overtourism, overbooking or a foreign invasion — it’s the same squeeze: A handful of destinations around the world are under siege by too many tourists. The stampede is having a deleterious effect on the culture, environment and spirit of these places. Locals are getting pushed out. Foundations are crumbling. Tourists are complaining about other tourists.
We singled out some spots buckling under the weight of too feet and provided alternatives that are similar in all but one category: They could use more — not fewer — tourists.
Overbooked: Venice
As if sinking weren’t enough, the Italian city of canals and masquerade balls is drowning in tourists. More than 30 million people visit annually, swamping the local population of 50 000. Several years ago, UNESCO warned Venetian officials that the city could end up on its endangered list of heritage sites if they did not curb their enthusiasm for tourists — an estimated 60 000 a day during peak season. Officials responded with a raft of initiatives, such as relocating the cruise ship port to the mainland and banning new hotels in the historical city centre. Venice also unveiled an awareness campaign last year called #EnjoyRespectVenezia, which encourages responsible behaviour (e.g., do not picnic on church steps).
Overlooked: Verona
This Italian city about 120km west of Venice is the setting of two Shakespeare plays. Bard fans can practice their lines beneath Juliet’s balcony while relationship-seekers can give her statue a hopeful tap. The Unesco World Heritage site comes with the requisite Old World charms, such as a piazza populated by statues of Greek gods, a performing arts venue in a Roman amphitheatre and a 13th-century castle built to defend the Veronese from invaders. The destination is also known for its European Union-protected variety of rice, a mainstay on local menus. For a wilder ride than a gondola, go rafting down the Adige River. Ask nicely and maybe your guide will sing “O Sole Mio”.
Overbooked: Machu
Picchu
The 15th-century Incan site in Peru survived the Spanish conquest, but its downfall could be tourists. In 2013, UNESCO aired its concerns about the degradation of Peru’s top attraction. In response, the government and UNESCO capped the number of daily visitors at 2 500. However, last year, 1,4 million people toured the ruins, a clear breach of the directive. The government now requires accredited guides to accompany all visitors (no more independent wandering) and funnel hikers onto three established routes. Also gone: staying all day. You can buy a ticket for the morning or afternoon slot, but once your time is up, your visit is over.
Overbooked: Barcelona
The capital of Catalonia is the most-visited city in Spain, drawing 32 million people, more than 30 times its population. After the terrorist attack in August 2017, the city experienced a slight dip in tourism, but it wasn’t enough to decongest La Rambla, the nearly mile-long pedestrian boulevard, or the buildings designed by architect Antoni Gaudí. Nearly 3 million passengers arrive by cruise ship annually, a surge officials hope to stem by relocating the port outside the city centre by 2025. Mayor Ada Colau has fined Airbnb.com for renting unlicensed properties, raised the parking rate for coach buses idling at popular tourist spots and slowed the proliferation of hotel rooms.
Overlooked: Seville
Seville is the cultural and business center of the Andalusian region, plus a great place to take flamenco for a spin. The city goes big with the world’s largest Gothic church, the Seville Cathedral. The city boasts its own regional style that blends Islamic and Christian aesthetics. Look for vibrant glazed tiles with nature themes, rounded arches and carved wood ceilings. If you’re pressed for time, go straight to the Royal Alcázar, a palace complex with a strong Mudejar streak. Moorish influences — chickpeas, cumin, aubergine — appear in the tapas, too.
Overbooked: Amsterdam
To reclaim the Dutch capital from tourists, officials are mulling or have executed several laws, such as doubling the tax on hotel rooms and banning short-term Airbnb rentals and souvenir shops in the historical centre. They are also considering relocating the cruise-ship berth and passenger terminal away from the middle of the action. To lure visitors out of the choked centre, the tourism organization responsible for the City Card expanded benefits to include day trips outside the city, such as to Haarlem, Zaanse Schans and Keukenhof, where you can tiptoe through the tulip fields. — The Washington Post.
