Be a Better Traveler in the Over-tourism Era

Travel has become as accessible as McDonald’s, reaching a new high as global tourist arrivals reached 1.4 billion last year. In 1995, global arrivals numbered only 525 million.

As a father of two kids, I am the first to celebrate the drop in costs brought on by air-travel market liberalization, the rise of discount airlines, a revolution in accommodations thanks to the likes of Books.com and Airbnb, and mobile devices installed with the best maps and travel guides the world has ever known. I’m also happy for the retailers, hoteliers, museum keepers and others who have benefited financially from the tourism boom.

I can’t help but wonder, though, what we are actually seeing as we travel these days. More people are travelling, but many are visiting the same places. Is a forest of selfie sticks what I wanted to show my daughter at the Louvre? When was the last time I set food on Prague’s main square without being elbowed a dozen times? Is a trip to Barcelona complete if you have to avoid every famous location for fear of being trampled (踩踏)?

Cities can not do much about this — they can’t very well close airports, force airlines to fly less frequently or increase their prices. Raising the cost of air travel, overall or to specific destination, will never be popular. Many will object it on the grounds that travel shouldn’t be just for the rich, and it’ll hurt the residents of cities troubled with over-tourism.

So what should travelers do? Stay home? That’s unlikely. But if you are heading for some of the world’s most popular destinations, rethink your bucket list (愿望清单). You should be open to venturing beyond the obvious. Even if you are set on visiting an iconic site, consider going at an off-peak time.

The biggest thing to keep in mind, no matter where you travel, is to be well-researched, respectful and genuinely curious about the destination. Don’t fall victim to what people call “selfie culture” and “bucket list culture”. Treat the destination as you would do to your own home - not as a “hidden gem” that you throw money at to get certain experience you feel entitled to.

We have arrived in the hot, wet city of Bangkok(曼谷). This is our first trip to Thailand. All the different smells make us want to try the food. We are going to eat something special for dinner tonight. The hotel we are staying in is cheap, and very clean. We plan to stay here for a few days, visit some places in the city, and then travel to Chiang Mai in the North.

Bangkok is wonderful and surprising! The places are interesting. We visited the famous market which was on water, and saw a lot of fruits and vegetables. Everything is so colorful, and we have taken hundreds of photos already! Later today we will leave for Chiang Mai. We will take the train north, stay in Chiang Mai for two days, and then catch a bus to Chiang Rai.

Our trip to Chiang Rai was long and boring. We visited a small village in the mountains. The village people here love the quiet life-no computers or phones. They are the kindest people I have ever met. They always smile and say "hello". Kathy and I can only speak a few words of Thai, so smiling is the best way to show our kindness. I feel good here and hope to be able to come back next year.

Vacation in Scandinavia on a Budget

How do you travel to Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden without blowing a hole in your pocket? Here are some tips for how to experience these beautiful, happy and, yes, expensive countries with as little price shock as possible.

Invest in a good guidebook

Having and using a good guidebook as your main travel tool is essential. The most popular guidebook series is from Lonely Planet — an especially good choice for young budget travelers since they are the original publishers of Europe on a Shoestring. Other options include Rough Guides, The Saury Backpacker and Rick Steves’ Europe. These guidebooks will help you pick the best activities, including walking tours, parks and restaurants for all budgets. They’ll also include maps and heaps of history and local insider knowledge.

Skip the rental car (and book early)

Once you’ve found a good deal for your round-trip airfare, it’s time to book your regional or incountry transportation. Renting a car is going to cost a pretty penny in any Scandinavian country. Instead, use the region’s great public transportation systems, which include a range of affordable options.

As for trains, we recommend obtaining a Eurail Scandinavia Pass that lets you explore Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The best part for budget travellers: If you take an overnight train, there’s no need to pay for a hotel.

The bus is an even more cost-effective mode of transportation, and Scandinavian companies are known to offer clean and comfortable buses that come with bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.

Meanwhile, cyclists will be in heaven: Major cities in Scandinavia offer bike-share programmes and rentals plus bike lanes that are often better tended to than the streets.

Take advantage of free city culture

While you’re spending time in Scandinavia’s great cities, you should enjoy the freebies. Many museums, markets, concerts, outdoor gyms, castles, cathedrals and UNESCO World Heritage sites come without a price tag.

It’s also worth checking out the cost-benefit ratio of a city pass, if you’re visiting one place for more than a few days. For example, in Norway, the Oslo Pass gives you free admission to 30 museums and attractions; free travel on all public transport; free entry to outdoor swimming pools; free walking tours; discounts on sightseeing, concert tickets and ski rentals; and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues.