Access to the world’s most desirable places has become easier than ever, but oftentimes this presents a shared issue between locals and visitors: overtourism. As a relatively new phenomenon, overtourism occurs when cities or towns do not have the infrastructure to support massive numbers of tourists.

Why is this happening?

The influx of tourists to hot spot destinations has always been looked at in a positive light — the destinations receive an economic boost along with increased awareness and coverage. However, flights are now cheaper and more accessible than ever, allowing people to go places they previously would not have considered. Another contributor to overtourism is the growth of popular services like Airbnb, which allows visitors to skip hotels and resorts entirely.

How can we help?

When planning your next trip to a popular destination, I recommend doing research into “busy seasons.” Going to a city when it isn’t flooded with tourists allows you to have a more intimate and immersive experience — plus, this puts less strain on the everyday life of locals.

Another option would be to venture outside of your vacation city for a day or two and take in the countryside. For example, many U.S. travelers visit Lisbon while in Portugal but don’t realize the beautiful destinations within driving distance like Evora or Coimbra.

Have you ever been overwhelmed with crowd numbers while on vacation? If so, what are your thoughts on how we can help?

Feel free to send a note to letters@globaltravelerusa.com.

— Chris Sager, account executive