Wish you weren't here! Why 2024 could be the worst year ever for 'overtourism'
The UN's World Tourism Organisation has told Sky News that 2024 could be a record year for international arrivals across the globe - here we take a look at the impact huge levels of tourism are having on popular destinations...
When the amount of visitors descending on an area has a harmful impact it becomes known as "overtourism" - a problem faced by destinations across the world.
And it could be about to get worse - with the UN's World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) telling Sky News that 2024 could be a record year for international arrivals across the globe.
Anyone paying attention is well aware of global moves to make significant reductions in the living standards of ordinary people in the developed world. This story merely slots into that trend, a problem to be exploited. Climate change is in there of course.
Is also worth making the point that none of the major political parties in the UK has any intention of opposing these moves, no intention of raising them as major political issues. They will always be presented as this one is here, as a problem with harmful impacts which should be ameliorated.
8 comments:
The aims of the UN are:
* Maintain international peace and security
* Protect human rights
* Deliver humanitarian aid
* Promote sustainable development
* Uphold international law
It's a bit of a stretch to include the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) as well when they are already falling behind on their main aims.
DJ - the UN wouldn't score highly on those aims, but its activities come across as bureaucratic mission creep. Creep away from the difficult stuff, invent easier objectives and pretend they are the core of what they do.
"His Majesty's Government does not have a position on such matters, but if something called UNWTO tells us that's how things are, then that's what we will act on".
I live in a small New Zealand town which is on the cruise ship itinerary.The smaller ships are no problem as the crowds are manageable and it is a pleasure to talk to many of the visitors as they wander about. The real problems occur when two of the big ships dock together and about 7000 people suddenly overwhelm everything, including the public transport which a lot of locals depend on to get to work or school. Yes the financial boost is welcome, but you can have too much of a good thing. I sympathise with the people of places like Venice.
Sam - as with the EU, it's what the UN is for, to take the blame for creeping repression.
John - interesting. I can just about imagine the effect of 7000 people suddenly arriving at a small coastal town. Good business but overwhelming. I know I wouldn't like it if I happened to be a resident.
The inhabitants of Davos must be really pissed off.
The same horde of pompous narcissistic bankers every year.
Doonhamer - and it's always the same act, nothing original.
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