Nothing to see here: Popular European destinations want fewer tourists

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/nothing-to-see-here-popular-european-destinations-want-fewer-tourists/2019/08/07/5d2060f4-ac95-11e9-9411-a608f9d0c2d3_story.html



HALLSTATT, Austria — Hotel owner Verena Lobisser says tourists visiting her village, on the edge of a glassy lake tucked into the Austrian Alps, regularly stop her and ask her to pose for pictures.

Sepp Krumböck, who runs a boat rental outfit, recalls the morning he realized that a camera-equipped drone was hovering next to his bedroom window.

Other residents tell stories of tourists who let themselves into private timber-framed homes to have a look around or use the toilet.

“It’s a catastrophe,” Lobisser said. “Many visitors seriously think this is a theme park.”

That’s a sentiment shared in cities and towns across Europe. Some of the world’s top destinations say they are confronted with an influx that has exploded beyond what they can handle. Even in places where the local economy is largely dependent on tourism, resistance is growing — and there are burgeoning efforts to keep people away.

After the collision of a cruise ship and a smaller tourist boat in Venice in June, Italy’s transport minister announced Wednesday that cruise ships would be rerouted away from the city center “to avoid witnessing more invasions … by these floating palaces, with the scandals and risks they bring.” Venice (25 million annual visitors) also has said it will introduce an “entrance fee” next year of up to $11 for day trippers. (A tourist tax is already included in hotel fees for those who stay overnight.)

The Belgian city of Bruges (8 million visitors) plans to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to dock there. Residents of the Spanish island of Mallorca (10 million visitors) have petitioned to do the same.

[Polly Hennessey]

1. Don't blame them at all.

[IronLionZion]

2. I know the feeling

Too many tourists can really ruin it for everyone. Some of them have no sense of decency or respect.

Developing countries still want lots of tourists for the money, but some of the historical architecture have been damaged, and many natural sites have been polluted with garbage, or worse. Too much of anything is bad.

It's a shame because there is so much out there that I personally would like to see but haven't had the opportunity. Venice is being impacted by climate change and rising sea levels.

[IronLionZion]

3. Climate change challenges sinking city of Venice

[JCMach1]

4. This is locals whining... I lived in St..Augustine, FL

For 8 yr of college and grad school.

And yes we used to whine, but the tourist are the lifeblood of such places.

It is what it is... Plenty of peaceful places to go if you are so inclined