- Green Lifestyle
Places that are worth NOT visiting.
The beginning of the year – and there they are again: Our to-do lists. New Year’s resolution. The wish lists. On which (of course) vacations are pretty high up. That’s great, after all, worldview comes from looking at the world. And we could really use some openness right now.
Babette Lichtenford
Too valuable.
There are places that are so beautiful, so iconic, that everyone wants to see them once in their life. And that is precisely why they should not be visited (for the time being). For all its positive effects on cultural exchange, cosmopolitanism, and the economy – tourism is also a burden on the population, the climate, and the environment. So, it’s time for a more respectful approach to such great destinations, time for a no-visit list (and for a coffee while you are reading).
1. Venice (of course)
Last year, Unesco placed it on the list of endangered world cultural heritage sites for the second time – due to the damage caused by mass tourism and climate change. Unfortunately, the 5€ entrance fee for day tourists doesn’t help.
2. Athens, the Acropolis (doesn’t surprise us either)
Did you know that 760 cruise ships called at Athens in 2022? Sometimes there are 9 ships a day. With 2,000-3,000 people per ship. That makes 27,000 visitors. Per day! (And then there are the other tourists… Phew!)
3. Mount Fuji, Japan, the symbol of tranquility and “holiness”
Not anymore: 4 million people visited the Yoshida Trail last year.
4. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Sensational film location from “Indochine”, “Pan”, “Kong” (but not James Bond, “Tomorrow never dies”, which was filmed in Thailand). These days it is known more for its littering, which is not surprising given the approx. 8.5 million visitors in 2023.
5. Atacama Desert, Chile
Marketed as one of the most romantic places in the world, the desert has now mutated into a dumping ground for fast fashion. Chile is the largest importer of used clothing (from the USA, the EU and Asia). Everything that cannot be reused or sold obviously ends up in the desert, as the dumping of clothing in official landfills is prohibited. Welcome to absolute absurdity…
6. Koh Samui, Thailand
“The place to be” for island-beach-palm-fans. This has resulted in immense water consumption in recent years: 7,925,162 US.liq.gal. of fresh water per day (70% of which is used for hotels and restaurants). It is feared that the groundwater reservoirs are exhausted and a water pipeline from the mainland has not brought the desired relief.
And then there’s Nepal and Mount Everest (454 permits for an ascent in one season*!). Or Mallorca and Barcelona (the motto there now is “Tourists go home”). Not to mention the so-called camper insider tips in Croatia, Denmark or the Alentejo or you name it.
Somehow, we have to manage to find a different approach to our vacations, to traveling, and “freedom”. Otherwise, we will devalue what is so precious to us: The vast expanse by the sea, in the mountains. The peace and quiet. Nature. The unknown. The people.
Time for me to grab a second coffee and think about whether a two-week vacation at home would be fun. After all, there are places nearby here that I’ve never been to.
What do you think? Tell us how you deal with vacations and traveling. Out into the world? Or do you prefer to stay at home?
* www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/menschen/rekordandrang-am-mount-everest-18850106.html
