Four years ago I started studying Japanese - mostly as a hobby, just a little every day. Last June we went to Japan. Even my first grade level Japanese was so appreciated by folks we met, it was a fantastic ice breaker to be at some random izakaya and start a conversation. Most of my pictures from the trip are of my family with random Japanese people that we met and shared a beer with. I am continuing my Japanese studies - mostly because it’s fun, but would like to return to Japan and visit the smaller cities and more rural areas.
Ah fantastic! I love that you're learning Japanese. It's such a beautiful language. I miss speaking it, mine's probably terrible now. But isn't amazing those moments that we get to have with folks when we just have even a few words in common? Nice one Johannes.
I think many people forget when they travel that real people occupy the places their visiting. And those people face real problems, much like the problems in their home country, like affordable housing. While tourism definitely contributes to the rise of short-term rental markets, which pushes out the local people, there is a greater worldwide issue at play: the rise of the institutional real estate investor. In Canada and the US, 28% of all home purchases are by people or corporations for the explicit purpose of generating rental income. This is a significant contributor to the increase in housing costs everywhere. Many people struggle to afford rent or get a mortgage, meanwhile others stack up properties.
As much as I prefer a low touch government, regulating real estate and tourism industries should be top priority. In Belize, where I live and where tourism accounts for 48% of the nation's GDP, tourism is highly regulated. All vacation rentals are treated as hotels and there are hefty fines for operating outside that system. It's a lengthy process to get your rental license, which requires the owner to pay taxes, pay fees to renew, hire a licensed property manager and accountant and undergo routine inspections. The process is a deterent to new rentals and significantly cuts the owner's profit margins.
On an undividing note, people must remember that it doesn't matter if you are a tourist who has paid a lot of money to visit somewhere, you are a guest in that place. It's a privilege to be there, not a right. So be grateful for your host country's hospitality, be respectful, kind and courteous and connect with the people there. Maybe that means, like you said above, visiting the less popular (albiet more authentic) place. In my opinion, that's what travel (and life) is all about: creating connection, to people, place and time.
Hi Simo, thanks a bunch for this really interesting comment. You're so right about the institutional real estate investors. A lot of buildings here in Berlin have been bought up by them and friends who live in those buildings all tell horror stories. We have rent control on everything here built before 2014 (?) but with the housing shortage people are paying insane rents in all the new builds.
I like what the government is doing in Belize, I think Europe could take a leaf out of that book. And 100% on the whole reason to travel, I'm with you on that one for sure.
I have been feeling and saying so much of what you've said over the past few years. I've been fortunate enough to have relocated to Tokyo in 2019 for 20 months, which thanks to COVID turned in 2 months shy of 3 years. Then to Birmingham for 8 months, then to Paris for 16 months. I've often thought of writing about it, and I suspect I might! Otherwise this response will become far too long!
the TLDR is yes travel in a connected world is less interesting than when there was more friction and novelty in the process, the same could be said about when air travel became common place vs boats and horses
There's a book I read called the Ministry For The Future, where air travel ceased, and shipping and airships became the norm. There was no more instant gratification travel, you had to be intentional. I must say, I yearned for it. I'm doing more ferries, and ships in Europe, and it's bringing back dare I say a romance to travel for me. Slow, less crowded, languid.
I love travel. But the thing is people travel as consumers, not as participants. I don't know why we are taught to travel as if we owned the world and everyone else is just here to serve us. It's a completely backward way to deal with anything in life. But I think we are also taught to fear what is unfamiliar or foreign, and consuming it is safer than really engaging. Which is of course a travesty, because it creates more strife. I lived in Japan for 3 years and have worked in boutique travel taking people there on vacation. We also take great pains to educate our customers on etiquette and culture before going. But even then sometimes it's not enough to reverse cultural conditioning.
It's about rising from the ashes of ego death, recreating yourself and discovering your authentic voice. I can't promise you that I have a big reach, because I don't, but what I can 100% guarantee you is an excellent conversation. Message me if interested!
HI there Valerie, that's a great insight from the front seat you had in the industry, that people feel safer consuming than actually engaging. And I'll DM you re the podcast!
Great piece. I live in a part of the UK where Air B&B and holiday cottages are literally stripping away rentals for local people to have a place to live. In my town there are just 3 places for private rent as against tens of dozens for holiday lettings. I love living in a beautiful place but yearn for the quieter months when we get our town back. Tourism is a double edged sword, it gives an income to many, myself included but it can indeed overrun a place and destroy the community.
Those numbers really sum it up. 3 place to rent vs tens of dozens. That's awful. They actually banned Airbnb in Byron Bay I found out after I posted. The locals who all worked in the town were all bussing in from neighbouring towns. The local government put a stop to it. I don't know what the ultimate answer is, but what we're doing right now isn't it, as your town can testify. Thanks for writing about it here.
I live in Scotland and I do part time guiding work. Tourism has always been popular here, but the past few years a few specific locations have become insanely popular due to Instagram and successful TV dramas. If I'm heading north and I park in one of those "honeypot" locations, maybe to have a snack while looking at the view, countless cars will draw up, giggling tourists will spill out, take photos and selfies, and then drive off. I find it amusing and quite nice really.
I can't imagine wanting to tell the tourists to go home. Maybe that's because I don't live in a big city - Airbnbs are not pushing up rental fees in my area. There are umpteen beautiful locations near me where you rarely meet another soul - mainly because those places don't appear in social media.
I've travelled a lot in my time and I think there's always been a group of people who consider themselves "real travellers", superior to "tourists". Sometimes I like to be a tourist, enjoying honeypot locations and taking snaps. I don't think there's any harm in that. The harm comes from exploitation around it, not from the tourists.
That's an interesting point there about those who exploit the picture takers. I felt very much like we were getting production lined on those beaches in Sardinia. But when I was chatting with one of the crew, he said it's the best job he's ever had - work six months, take six off. My favourite parts of Norway sound like the places you describe in Scotland, off the beaten track, un-isntagramed and low traffic. I find myself drawn more to the idea of holidays far from cities these days. Hmmm. I think I'm rambling now, but thank you for writing this one in here Natalie.
“Travelling is about something more meaningful. A belonging that requires a commitment or reciprocity.” This made me pause and realize it is exactly those types of moments that made me fall in love with Italy earlier this year!
First it was the lovely couple waiting next to us for dinner (in Trastevere haha) that struck up a conversation until we were seated; without a phone in sight, everyone was actually present and talking to each other and strangers alike. Then it was the owner of a B&B at a winery in central Tuscany whose hospitality and kindness helped wash away some unfortunate events leading up to that moment. And one more that I will never forget, because I don’t have to, is our wonderful Airbnb host in Florence who I am still in touch with and consider a new friend. All of the things we were grateful to have been able to experience/see/eat were amazing, but what made the entire trip worth it were the moments of belonging and connection.
Thank you for your post - it helped me articulate something I’ve been struggling to explain since I returned!
Sounds like you had a great trip Shawn. I love that you had such a great experience with your host. I had something similar on Sardinia. We booked a hotel room over night in a small place through booking.com. The owner was absolutely wonderful and helpful. And he only takes payment in person, not at booking. He said he likes to look people in the eyes when he charges them, that it's important to konw each other. I still think about him.
Such a thought provoking post. I really resonated with what you said about connecting with people while traveling. We went to Puerto Rico for the first time in January. We didn’t stay at a fancy resort but in humble air bnb in a simple neighborhood. Getting a sense of the beauty of the land and both the struggles and the friendliness of the people was priceless.
It is sad…I’m in the US and born and raised in Florida, which has been almost completely and absurdly overrun by tourism. I don’t live there anymore but many of the beaches I grew up enjoying are barely even accessible anymore because of all the high-rises and investment run properties. Folks are getting rich on tourism in Florida, but it’s not the locals, who are being driven out of what they once called home. I lived a 45 min drive from Disney, and the volume of traffic and people is INSANE. I miss Florida…
Ah Tracey, I hear you. I return to places I lived and yearn for what it was. And you like me, are missing a time when it was free to all and less crowded. I feel you!
Al the above Julie, it's a complex web of people and issues. on the one had, making a living in your own country is wonderful. But then what that turns the place into. I was reading later on about tourist taxes in Bhutan. They are committed to =keeping the country the way it is, so you're charged $100 US a day that you're there just to be there. They found it made people resent the country and what to know more about it when they are there. I guess this is one we're all going to have to work on together to figure out.
I think many countries make too much money from tourism to charge people a tourist tax as well as the fact that people have so many places to choose from to visit.
One of the reccos I made and am now trying to do myself, is to travel to places off the beaten social media path. Ironically, I discover most through social media. This week's made me realize it's a much bigger can of worms than I thought when I started it. Had a wild chat with a woman at the front desk of the hotel today and her telling me thirty years of Copenhagen's history. I don't what the answer is, But i'll try and do my bit. I know how I want traveling to feel for me and the people in the places i go.
Yes, tourism is practically destroying everything—from a way of life to overcrowded streets and overpriced coconuts. I’ve written some articles myself on what tourism is doing to places like Bali, Singapore, and beyond. It’s sad, but we have to face the facts: unless governments step in and put a quota of tourists allowed into a country, it’ll go unchecked. And the damage done? That’s not something you can just sweep under a souvenir rug!
I hear you Robin. When I lived in Singapore, Bali was a hop skip away and we'd often go for weekends. Back then you called the place a friend recommended and they had a room, and you rocked up, and it was all pretty low key. I returned to visit a friend on the way back home to Australia last year and barely recognised Bali. It's so different these days. The rubbish levels shocked me. They have massive cleanup operations now that get deployed all over the island in an attempt to keep the worst at bay. The worst part was that the locals and the visitors were all complaining about the state of the island. Didn't seem like anyone was happy with it. I wrote in a comment above about the moves made by Bhutan to keep tourism low and respectful. Whatever the answer is, we have to all figure it out together.
Thanks for the reply. I like what Bhutan is doing by keeping tourism low and respectful. Let’s hope other countries experiencing an overflow of tourists do something similar—or even restrict entry altogether. Cheers.
This post broke my heart but I agree; much has been lost, devoured by the 'tourist' culture. Social media addiction must take some responsibility for the loss. Thank you.
For sure Donna. But if we broke it, we can fix it too. This last article and putting all my thoughts together has changed my mind about how I travel from now on.
Four years ago I started studying Japanese - mostly as a hobby, just a little every day. Last June we went to Japan. Even my first grade level Japanese was so appreciated by folks we met, it was a fantastic ice breaker to be at some random izakaya and start a conversation. Most of my pictures from the trip are of my family with random Japanese people that we met and shared a beer with. I am continuing my Japanese studies - mostly because it’s fun, but would like to return to Japan and visit the smaller cities and more rural areas.
あなたの書くことはとても楽しいです。お疲れ様でした。
Ah fantastic! I love that you're learning Japanese. It's such a beautiful language. I miss speaking it, mine's probably terrible now. But isn't amazing those moments that we get to have with folks when we just have even a few words in common? Nice one Johannes.
Great piece Karl. You touch on so much here.
I think many people forget when they travel that real people occupy the places their visiting. And those people face real problems, much like the problems in their home country, like affordable housing. While tourism definitely contributes to the rise of short-term rental markets, which pushes out the local people, there is a greater worldwide issue at play: the rise of the institutional real estate investor. In Canada and the US, 28% of all home purchases are by people or corporations for the explicit purpose of generating rental income. This is a significant contributor to the increase in housing costs everywhere. Many people struggle to afford rent or get a mortgage, meanwhile others stack up properties.
As much as I prefer a low touch government, regulating real estate and tourism industries should be top priority. In Belize, where I live and where tourism accounts for 48% of the nation's GDP, tourism is highly regulated. All vacation rentals are treated as hotels and there are hefty fines for operating outside that system. It's a lengthy process to get your rental license, which requires the owner to pay taxes, pay fees to renew, hire a licensed property manager and accountant and undergo routine inspections. The process is a deterent to new rentals and significantly cuts the owner's profit margins.
On an undividing note, people must remember that it doesn't matter if you are a tourist who has paid a lot of money to visit somewhere, you are a guest in that place. It's a privilege to be there, not a right. So be grateful for your host country's hospitality, be respectful, kind and courteous and connect with the people there. Maybe that means, like you said above, visiting the less popular (albiet more authentic) place. In my opinion, that's what travel (and life) is all about: creating connection, to people, place and time.
Hi Simo, thanks a bunch for this really interesting comment. You're so right about the institutional real estate investors. A lot of buildings here in Berlin have been bought up by them and friends who live in those buildings all tell horror stories. We have rent control on everything here built before 2014 (?) but with the housing shortage people are paying insane rents in all the new builds.
I like what the government is doing in Belize, I think Europe could take a leaf out of that book. And 100% on the whole reason to travel, I'm with you on that one for sure.
This!
I have been feeling and saying so much of what you've said over the past few years. I've been fortunate enough to have relocated to Tokyo in 2019 for 20 months, which thanks to COVID turned in 2 months shy of 3 years. Then to Birmingham for 8 months, then to Paris for 16 months. I've often thought of writing about it, and I suspect I might! Otherwise this response will become far too long!
Write it Cate! I'm always intrigued to read what people learn about themselves, and us as humans, and the world by the places they've lived.
the TLDR is yes travel in a connected world is less interesting than when there was more friction and novelty in the process, the same could be said about when air travel became common place vs boats and horses
There's a book I read called the Ministry For The Future, where air travel ceased, and shipping and airships became the norm. There was no more instant gratification travel, you had to be intentional. I must say, I yearned for it. I'm doing more ferries, and ships in Europe, and it's bringing back dare I say a romance to travel for me. Slow, less crowded, languid.
I love travel. But the thing is people travel as consumers, not as participants. I don't know why we are taught to travel as if we owned the world and everyone else is just here to serve us. It's a completely backward way to deal with anything in life. But I think we are also taught to fear what is unfamiliar or foreign, and consuming it is safer than really engaging. Which is of course a travesty, because it creates more strife. I lived in Japan for 3 years and have worked in boutique travel taking people there on vacation. We also take great pains to educate our customers on etiquette and culture before going. But even then sometimes it's not enough to reverse cultural conditioning.
Since you are looking for speaking engagements, I'd love for you to be on my podcast called From the Ashes: https://www.intrepidwellness.life/podcasts/from-the-ashes-2
It's about rising from the ashes of ego death, recreating yourself and discovering your authentic voice. I can't promise you that I have a big reach, because I don't, but what I can 100% guarantee you is an excellent conversation. Message me if interested!
HI there Valerie, that's a great insight from the front seat you had in the industry, that people feel safer consuming than actually engaging. And I'll DM you re the podcast!
Fantastic!
Great piece. I live in a part of the UK where Air B&B and holiday cottages are literally stripping away rentals for local people to have a place to live. In my town there are just 3 places for private rent as against tens of dozens for holiday lettings. I love living in a beautiful place but yearn for the quieter months when we get our town back. Tourism is a double edged sword, it gives an income to many, myself included but it can indeed overrun a place and destroy the community.
Those numbers really sum it up. 3 place to rent vs tens of dozens. That's awful. They actually banned Airbnb in Byron Bay I found out after I posted. The locals who all worked in the town were all bussing in from neighbouring towns. The local government put a stop to it. I don't know what the ultimate answer is, but what we're doing right now isn't it, as your town can testify. Thanks for writing about it here.
I live in Scotland and I do part time guiding work. Tourism has always been popular here, but the past few years a few specific locations have become insanely popular due to Instagram and successful TV dramas. If I'm heading north and I park in one of those "honeypot" locations, maybe to have a snack while looking at the view, countless cars will draw up, giggling tourists will spill out, take photos and selfies, and then drive off. I find it amusing and quite nice really.
I can't imagine wanting to tell the tourists to go home. Maybe that's because I don't live in a big city - Airbnbs are not pushing up rental fees in my area. There are umpteen beautiful locations near me where you rarely meet another soul - mainly because those places don't appear in social media.
I've travelled a lot in my time and I think there's always been a group of people who consider themselves "real travellers", superior to "tourists". Sometimes I like to be a tourist, enjoying honeypot locations and taking snaps. I don't think there's any harm in that. The harm comes from exploitation around it, not from the tourists.
Interesting and thought-provoking post!
That's an interesting point there about those who exploit the picture takers. I felt very much like we were getting production lined on those beaches in Sardinia. But when I was chatting with one of the crew, he said it's the best job he's ever had - work six months, take six off. My favourite parts of Norway sound like the places you describe in Scotland, off the beaten track, un-isntagramed and low traffic. I find myself drawn more to the idea of holidays far from cities these days. Hmmm. I think I'm rambling now, but thank you for writing this one in here Natalie.
“Travelling is about something more meaningful. A belonging that requires a commitment or reciprocity.” This made me pause and realize it is exactly those types of moments that made me fall in love with Italy earlier this year!
First it was the lovely couple waiting next to us for dinner (in Trastevere haha) that struck up a conversation until we were seated; without a phone in sight, everyone was actually present and talking to each other and strangers alike. Then it was the owner of a B&B at a winery in central Tuscany whose hospitality and kindness helped wash away some unfortunate events leading up to that moment. And one more that I will never forget, because I don’t have to, is our wonderful Airbnb host in Florence who I am still in touch with and consider a new friend. All of the things we were grateful to have been able to experience/see/eat were amazing, but what made the entire trip worth it were the moments of belonging and connection.
Thank you for your post - it helped me articulate something I’ve been struggling to explain since I returned!
Sounds like you had a great trip Shawn. I love that you had such a great experience with your host. I had something similar on Sardinia. We booked a hotel room over night in a small place through booking.com. The owner was absolutely wonderful and helpful. And he only takes payment in person, not at booking. He said he likes to look people in the eyes when he charges them, that it's important to konw each other. I still think about him.
Such a thought provoking post. I really resonated with what you said about connecting with people while traveling. We went to Puerto Rico for the first time in January. We didn’t stay at a fancy resort but in humble air bnb in a simple neighborhood. Getting a sense of the beauty of the land and both the struggles and the friendliness of the people was priceless.
Nice one Jane, it's that sense of belonging, even if it's just for a moment.
It is sad…I’m in the US and born and raised in Florida, which has been almost completely and absurdly overrun by tourism. I don’t live there anymore but many of the beaches I grew up enjoying are barely even accessible anymore because of all the high-rises and investment run properties. Folks are getting rich on tourism in Florida, but it’s not the locals, who are being driven out of what they once called home. I lived a 45 min drive from Disney, and the volume of traffic and people is INSANE. I miss Florida…
Ah Tracey, I hear you. I return to places I lived and yearn for what it was. And you like me, are missing a time when it was free to all and less crowded. I feel you!
So beautiful yet one could not pay me to live there.
Tourism is a major industry for some places.
For example, in Montenegro, it was the main employer of the people in coastal regions so it is a lifeline for the local and often migrant population.
Otherwise, people felt they had to migrate to work in Germany or US for a decade or decades.
However, at what cost is the tourist industry?
There are lots of tourist shops and European supermarkets so less craft stores and local products.
There are night clubs and restaurants - loud music until 1 am and laser lights glowing in the sky.
It can be hard to get away from the maddening crowds and turn to look elsewhere.
Such as the real issues of conservation of the land and sea life.
Al the above Julie, it's a complex web of people and issues. on the one had, making a living in your own country is wonderful. But then what that turns the place into. I was reading later on about tourist taxes in Bhutan. They are committed to =keeping the country the way it is, so you're charged $100 US a day that you're there just to be there. They found it made people resent the country and what to know more about it when they are there. I guess this is one we're all going to have to work on together to figure out.
Interesting policy of Bhutan.
I think many countries make too much money from tourism to charge people a tourist tax as well as the fact that people have so many places to choose from to visit.
One of the reccos I made and am now trying to do myself, is to travel to places off the beaten social media path. Ironically, I discover most through social media. This week's made me realize it's a much bigger can of worms than I thought when I started it. Had a wild chat with a woman at the front desk of the hotel today and her telling me thirty years of Copenhagen's history. I don't what the answer is, But i'll try and do my bit. I know how I want traveling to feel for me and the people in the places i go.
Yes, tourism is practically destroying everything—from a way of life to overcrowded streets and overpriced coconuts. I’ve written some articles myself on what tourism is doing to places like Bali, Singapore, and beyond. It’s sad, but we have to face the facts: unless governments step in and put a quota of tourists allowed into a country, it’ll go unchecked. And the damage done? That’s not something you can just sweep under a souvenir rug!
I hear you Robin. When I lived in Singapore, Bali was a hop skip away and we'd often go for weekends. Back then you called the place a friend recommended and they had a room, and you rocked up, and it was all pretty low key. I returned to visit a friend on the way back home to Australia last year and barely recognised Bali. It's so different these days. The rubbish levels shocked me. They have massive cleanup operations now that get deployed all over the island in an attempt to keep the worst at bay. The worst part was that the locals and the visitors were all complaining about the state of the island. Didn't seem like anyone was happy with it. I wrote in a comment above about the moves made by Bhutan to keep tourism low and respectful. Whatever the answer is, we have to all figure it out together.
Hi Karl,
Thanks for the reply. I like what Bhutan is doing by keeping tourism low and respectful. Let’s hope other countries experiencing an overflow of tourists do something similar—or even restrict entry altogether. Cheers.
This post broke my heart but I agree; much has been lost, devoured by the 'tourist' culture. Social media addiction must take some responsibility for the loss. Thank you.
For sure Donna. But if we broke it, we can fix it too. This last article and putting all my thoughts together has changed my mind about how I travel from now on.