Barcelona and Kyoto: The Problem of Over-Tourism

Barcelona and Kyoto: The Problem of Over-Tourism

Nearly all travelers look forward to seeing new locations and  experiences.  The Cherry Blossom  Festival in Kyoto is incredibly popular.  In Barcelona, cruise ship passengers often fill the city with so many tourists  that the locals are overwhelmed. 

In Barcelona, the response from locals has been very emphatic-demonstrations and marches along with signs telling tourists to leave.  The once welcoming natives have  become far less hospitable and welcoming with visitors and sometimes refer to them as invaders. In Kyoto, the locals are far less vocal yet the relationship with tourists has become somewhat strained.

Enter Discovery Tourism; a new trend that benefits both tourists and the local population.  For locals it provides a respite from the over-crowding  that results from an influx of tourists.  The tourists themselves enjoy smaller crowds and a chance to see locations they might not normally ever see. Here are several helpful  ways to diminish the congestion:

Avoid busy seasons –  In Europe you should think about visiting in the off-season.  Autumn and (early) Spring are nearly always less crowded.  In Japan avoid the Cherry Blossom Season (late March and early April)  as well as Foliage Season (November)  This switch alone will make an enormous difference!

Visiting Alternative Locations – There are usually quiet spots located near the busy, tourist-laden destinations.  In Barcelona, local guides can take you to the out-of-the -ordinary sites not usually visited by tourists.  You’ll end up with more authentic food and entertainment as well!  Kyoto has many temples that are worth a visited. They are often located close to the heavily touristed areas. Check them out!

Visit on Weekdays –  Always a good idea!

Make an effort (not just in these two cities) to embrace more adventurous tourism.  Not only will you be solving over-crowding but you will also find a more immersive and hands-on experience while you engage with history, culture, and nature!