Author: conservetourism

Meghalaya and Assam, North India

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

This time roles were reversed, I was planning this trip for my father. A motorbike tour designed for real adventure, which we got in bucket loads!

A loosely planned journey! Forgetting to zoom in on the computer, we soon found out that our root weaved across the Indian and Bangladeshi border. It also traversed a region that had been impacted by terrorist attacks a year before our visit. Border guards and police threatened to halt our journey, and we ended up staying the night in a jungle station on the kitchen table. Our motorbikes were louder than the locals, explained a police officer with a big gun. Anybody wanting to make a quick buck from stupid tourists would have heard us a mile away. Despite all that, we completed our trip and made it to our destination, the living root bridges of Meghalaya.

Bucket lists are an ironic benefit to the overtourism problem

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

I understand that much of the overtourism problem was created by bucket lists in the first place. However, what if it is also used as a form of crowd control? Rather than trying to combat the crowds, which in my opinion is a battle you can’t win, work with them. A recent article in the Telegraph – Have tourists ruined the world? highlighted that although these destinations are suffering from overtourism, you can still wander off the beaten path and into peace & quiet. Continue reading →

Verona to Venice

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

Wondering the streets of Verona and Venice, with no particular direction or aim, is the best way to explore these cities. Both have winding narrow lanes that will open to a plaza, a great bar or small coffee shop. The opportunity to sit, think of nothing and enjoy a wine or a coffee whilst people watching is probably one of the most wonderful things.

These cities are designed to make you fall in love. Maybe leave that for another trip, I think you will enjoy getting lost even more!

Tourist tax… Let’s call it something else

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

Tourist taxes are popping up after 2017’s overtourism woes. Some are designed to reduce low paying tourists, including stag parties in Amsterdam. But other taxes, including the Balearic Islands tourist tax, are designed to raise funds for ecological projects. Travellers may not understand the necessity of these payments. Calling it a tourist tax doesn’t inform travellers and will never be popular. Simply put, nobody likes paying tax! Replacing the term ‘tourist tax’ with ‘tribute’ may soften the blow, here’s how… Continue reading →

Lake District – England

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

This was a walking holiday to take to get away from everything. The Lake District delivered on a grand scale! It was unbelievably wet when I arrived and I realised right from the start that I had packed too much. The tent I bought, along with camping stove and pots was destined never to be used, it was too wet. Instead, I stayed in YHA’s dorms and took day trips to surrounding mountains. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been to.

Overtourism – The Industry’s solutions

/ conservetourism / Leave a comment

The holiday season in Europe is about to kick off. This is good news for some but perhaps creating more upset for locals who have been protesting about tourism numbers. Tourism overload is likely to be 2018’s biggest problem and one that has no definitive solution.

Last year, I  investigated the causes of overtourism as it approached its pinnacle. This year, governing bodies had time to react and create solutions. I wonder which one of the following 7 implemented solutions to the overtourism problem will be the most successful… If any. Continue reading →