You’ve probably heard a lot about the benefits of traveling & it really is one of the greatest joys you can experience. After all, you get a break from the everyday while seeing some incredible sights—not to mention eat delicious food. But our quest for adventure isn’t always so great. Here are 12 places around the globe where tourists create more harm than good for the local population and why.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
Orphanage Tourism in Cambodia
Going to Cambodia to help out in an orphanage sounds noble but it gets complicated. Many of these kids aren’t orphans at all & they’re separated from their families because volunteers are willing to pay for the experience of helping them. Even with good intentions, we can feed into a system that’s not all that great.
Elephant Rides in Thailand
In Thailand, the experience of getting up close with an elephant comes at a steep price for the elephants themselves. They go through rather harsh training to make sure they’re safe for tourists. While they might not be human, they’re still locals & knowing about the kind of treatment they receive kinda takes the shine off the whole thing.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Slum Tours in India
Visiting a slum in Mumbai seems like an eye-opening experience. Yet there’s a fine line between raising awareness & turning poverty into a spectacle. Would you like people walking through your neighborhood with cameras, treating your daily life like a zoo enclosure? We didn’t think so.
Safari Adventures in Africa
It’s easy to understand why so many people have African safaris on their bucket lists. Sadly, the influx of tourists can mess with wildlife and strain resources as animals get too comfortable with humans. They’re also changing their natural behaviors because there are always people around. It’s hardly the circle of life we’re aiming for.
Voluntourism in Haiti
Post-disaster Haiti has seen a wave of volunteers eager to lend a hand. As heartwarming as it seems, it’s also a bit problematic because this surge undercuts local jobs. It creates a dependency on outside help that makes it harder for communities to get back on their feet—and to stay there. Many volunteers are also reported to be engaged in exploitation of the local population.
Cruise Ships in the Caribbean
While cruises may be a perfect escape, they often dock in ports where they contribute little to the local economy. The most they’ll do is give some workers low-paying jobs. Worse still, cruises deplete local resources and cause environmental issues. Do you really want to leave that kind of souvenir behind?
Cultural Festivals in Japan
Some of Japan’s traditional festivals have turned into events that are so crowded that you can hardly move. While they’re meant to be cultural celebrations, the flood of tourists has turned them into anything but a relaxing experience. Some critics argue that the sheer masses of people have ruined the meaning of these festivals.
Trekking in Nepal
Trekking the Himalayas is one heck of an adventure yet it’s not great for the local Sherpas. They make those trips possible and work in risky conditions for minimal pay. It’s a tough job. Sherpas need to make sure that the tourists have a memorable journey while they’re dealing with serious dangers themselves.
Coffee Plantations in South America
Here’s a bitter truth for you. Touring a coffee plantation is an exciting way for tourists visiting South America to spend a day. But for the workers? Well, the reality is long hours for low pay. Seeing where your morning brew comes from can be an enlightening experience—and not necessarily in a good way.
Beach Resorts in the Philippines
Those stunning beach resorts in the Philippines aren’t always paradise for the locals. Any new developments usually push local communities out while also harming the environment through habitat destruction and pollution. Clearly, not everyone gets to experience the benefits that come from tourism.
Ski Resorts in the Alps
Even though hitting the slopes every day sounds like a dream for most people, the seasonal workers at ski resorts have it hard. Most of the ones working in the Alps are paid low wages & have to deal with a lot of job insecurity. Plus, the environmental impact of expanding resorts is difficult to ignore.
Historical Sites in Egypt
Who doesn’t dream of standing in the shadow of the Pyramids or looking upon the Sphinx? The thing is, the overwhelming foot traffic & hustle to sell souvenirs is taking a toll on both the sites and the local communities. In Marsa Alam, the Ababda people are fighting against new developments that are destroying their traditional way of life.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us.
Read More:
