The Global Challenge of over-tourism has become the latest global crisis, and destinations are being loved to endangerment. Popular tourist destinations, once calm and serene, are now in a constant no-win battle against tourists with selfie sticks, endless mushrooming hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops, and the relentless buzz of visitors.
By Ritesh Sharma,
Law Consultant & Social Entrepreneur
When Travel Was About the Journey, Not Just the Destination
Seeing all the memes and news about World Tourism Day on social media and channels, I can’t help but feel nostalgic. It takes me back to the simple, authentic travel experiences of my childhood. Those were the days when travel was about genuine connections and real adventures with a sense of wonder.
The summer vacation train journey to Nani’s place was always an adventure. The rhythmic ‘chuk-chuk’ of the coal-fired engine, the scramble for seats in the unreserved compartment, and the iron box and sling bags were all part of the experience. Home-packed food, usually aalu sabji and poori with neembu aachar, and the surahi, later replaced by Jodhpur badla for cold drinking water, were the true companions of those times. Another popular journey in those times was the pilgrimage to Vaishnodevi or Badrinath or even Kedarnath. Traveling then was not just a journey; it was an epic adventure, testing the faith and strength of a person. Reaching the destination felt like a hard-won achievement hard-won, an odyssey etched into the soul.
Those soulful voyages are now swallowed by chaos in the face of over-tourism. Sacred has turned commercialized, serene to overcrowded, and if nothing is done quickly, we risk losing that essence forever.
From Intimate Adventures to Overcrowded Escapades
Fast-forward to the present, and today, tourism has exploded beyond recognition. According to UN Tourism, in 1950, there were just 25 million international tourists worldwide. By1990, that number had mushroomed to 435 million. Now, we are hurtling toward 1.8 billion travelers by 2030, almost a quarter of the world’s population. The result? once-charming getaways have been turned into commercial battlegrounds, struggling to preserve their basic attractions.
The days of long stays during visits to relatives are gone, as quick weekend breaks and family vacations dominate our calendars. It truly is a reflection of advancement in living standards and the economy, yet it is marred by other wanton destruction of the environment, increased pressure on local resources, disruption of community life, and erosion of the unique experiences that the travelers seek.
Take the issue of Taj Mahal, a place of unprecedented beauty and architectural marvel in India. An ivory-white façade has been weathering centuries but now buckles under mass tourism. Daily threats include pollution, overcrowding, and wear-and-tear. Another one is the hill station of Manali, or Mussoorie or any other hill station in India, once a peaceful havens for souls, now faces endless traffic, pollution and resource depletion, all at the cost of natures’ bounty.
Other tourist places and pilgrimage sites share the same fate. The sacred pilgrimage areas of Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Baltal, among others, have been connected through a network of new tunnels and highways. The local economies, captured by outsiders, have boomed with the influx of tourists, mostly leaving the locals to bear the brunt and at the cost of fragile ecosystems. Such areas have been crushed under the deluge of constant disasters and depleting the peaceful environment and other resources in the region.
The problem is not confined to tourists alone. Over-tourism causes long-term devastating damage to the local communities with many losing their homes and livelihoods, fostering growing resentment toward visitors.
A Wake-Up Call Around the World
Other countries are no exception to the situation. Thousands of destinations across the globe are facing this issue. Coral reefs, treks in mountains, ancient cities, and pristine beaches are being eroded by humans. For instance, Great Barrier Reef in Australia or Maya Bay in Thailand, made world-famous by the movie “The Beach,” have been destroyed severely by tourists-bleaching, erosion, and loss of biodiversity are the results of unbridled tourism.
According to United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the carbon emissions levels from transport in relation to tourism, will increase by 25% in 2030 from 2016 levels that rose to 5.3 % from 5% of all man-made emissions. The effects of climate change are undeniable, and our favourite destinations are bearing the brunt.
Steps Towards Sustainability
Across the world, some tourist destinations have begun implementing policies to protect themselves. Venice now charges entry fees and has restricted the number cruise ships from entering the city, while the Austrian village of Hallstatt has limited the entry of tour buses. In Greece, there is a limit placed on cruise passengers, while the Canary Islands are enforcing visitor caps to protect the fragile ecosystems found there. These measures signal a global commitment to sustainable tourism—one that India can take inspiration from.
Now is the time to act. We must move towards a model of sustainable tourism that honours and preserves the cultural, spiritual, and natural significance of our treasured destinations. The response needs to come from governments, tourism business operators, the community, and tourists themselves. It’s about moving people to eco-friendly activities; stimulating local economies; respecting the traditions and culture of the destination; minimising, reusing, and recycling waste products; building an infrastructure that celebrates, rather than exploits, destinations.
Development and implementation os policies for sustainable tourism, eco-friendly accommodations, responsible tourist behavior, and investment in conserving natural habitats and ecosystems, are essential to ensure that the magic of these destinations stays with us.
Let’s preserve our heritage before it’s too late.
The objective is to envision a tourism model that takes one step further in the celebration of India’s rich heritage but ensures it is sustained for generations to come. All stakeholders including travelers, tour operators, and policy-makers should work together to make responsible choices that lowers the tourism impact on the destinations and environment. Let’s fight for that bright future where our old temples, towering mountains and vibrant festivals are enjoyed and cherished by our children and grandchildren, the same way we did, devoid of the shadow of over-tourism being cast on the beauty that first drew us in. This is our call to action, our moment to act before it’s too late.
The clock is ticking. This path of today will define travel for the generations to come, stamping our footprints upon fragile landscapes or learning to tread lightly and preserve the wonders that inspire countless journeys. This is in our hands, as travelers, custodians, and storytellers of this beautiful world. The time has come to rethink, to rebuild, and to rediscover a sustainable way of exploring the world. The adventure is not over yet; rather, it has just started. Are you ready to make a difference?