Mass Tourism Plaguing the World

Nobody can deny the importance and vitality of tourism, and the extent to which it contributes to a country’s economic development and cultural renown is duly acknowledged. However, tourism, while bringing wealth and prosperity to the world, is also slowly plaguing it with its abundance. Today, mass tourism is a global phenomenon that is growing at an alarming rate and intensity to the horror of experts. While tourism and tourist influx are much appreciated, mass tourism is just not the right way to do it.

What Is Mass Tourism?

Mass tourism is the influx of tourists in overlarge crowds that strains an area’s capacity. For some years now, experts have been pointing towards the alarming rate of increasing mass tourism and the hazards it may and definitely is inducing. Popular tourist destinations like the Maldives, Venice, Bali, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and many others suffer from the effects of mass tourism. The inundation of tourists in these areas not only disrupts the lives of the local population, but it is also slowly eroding the very essence of their core. Every year, popular tourist destinations experience the ingress of substantial, if not prodigious, amounts of tourists. This incidence has inevitably and irrevocably changed these areas and the lives of the locals, and while the change is welcomed as it bolsters the economic development of the region, its negative dynamics have become too obvious to be ignored.

Repercussions of Mass Tourism:

Mass tourist activities first and foremost affect the local population. Their daily lives are altered and disrupted beyond their control. As tourism increases, property and real estate prices skyrocket as various groups and individuals line up to make profitable investments. Often, most of these are foreign investors who alienate the locals in their own territory. It also makes it difficult to afford housing and rentals, as nearly every square inch of land becomes a potential goldmine that should in one way or another be converted into a tourist magnet. Naturally, the population is pushed to the outskirts or less desirable areas. Apart from this, the areas experiencing mass tourism are under the more drastic threat of losing their essence and culture. As large waves of tourists hit the areas, there is a surge in the marketplace to provide cheap souvenirs, frozen foods, and other alternatives that attract most, if not all, the tourists. These cheap imitations ultimately put the real artisans in the shadow, as most people don’t bother about them and cater to their convenience. As this situation escalates, many people move out in search of better opportunities, which is the most disturbing problem as the essence of a place is held together by the people who inhabit it.

Mass Tourism in Venice:

A most distinctive tourist attraction suffering from mass tourism is Venice. With its ethereal beauty and awe-inspiring architecture, Venice attracts a multitude of tourists from every corner of the world. These overlarge crowds are suffocating Venice, ridding it of its true beauty and essence. Apart from the above-mentioned problems, Venice also suffers from the onslaught of day stragglers. Ever since the pandemic broke out, tourists have preferred not to linger too long and finish their tour within the span of day hours. This, coupled with the ease and cheap cost of traveling, has created a mass of day visitors who flood the city. Since Venice is a small city, the overwhelming crowds fill every nook and cranny, jamming the entire city and disrupting the lives of locals. Due to its limited perimeter, it cannot offer any picnic spots for the tourists; hence, they sit on bridges and even doorsteps, barely leaving any space. This is a source of great annoyance for the locals, as all their activities are put on hold due to vast crowds hurriedly moving to and from the popular tourist spots.
However, locals are not the only ones who are affected by the upsurge in mass tourism. It also subliminally affects the tourist experience. Large crowds are bothersome when it comes to tourism, as the livening experience is disrupted by someone or something. People are also concerned about their safety. When visiting a heavily crowded place, people are more concerned about leaving quickly and safely than enjoying their experience. In their haste to complete their tour, most people miss out on the lesser known but equally intriguing and mesmerizing features of a destination. The haste is also the reason why most people prefer the cheap takeouts and souvenirs rather than exploring and appreciating the local craftsmanship and cuisines that will add value to their journey.

Conclusion:

Suffice it to say that mass tourism irrevocably damages the tourist industry and will become more hazardous if not remedied in the near future. This is why the focus needs to shift to sustainable tourism. Many popular destinations already practice sustainability and are all the better for it. The government and the concerned ministries need to make proper legal and administrative frameworks to balance and add sustainability to the tourist industry. But apart from the government, a responsible consumer attitude is also necessary in this regard. The public needs to be educated on the importance and ways of sustainable tourism in order to practice it. Only then will the tourist industry truly flourish, benefiting both the tourists and the locals.