Ayantika Malakar

We all love vacations—swaying palm trees, historic cities, majestic mountains, and, of course, those Instagram-worthy sunsets. But have you ever considered that your dream destination might be suffering because of you? Yep, you heard that right. Sometimes, we love places so much that we end up suffocating them.

Think about your last trip: Did you experience crowds so dense you could barely move? Did you leave behind any waste, even unintentionally? Did you wonder what life is like for locals who deal with tourists every day? If not, maybe it’s time to start.

Too Much of a Good Thing is… Bad?

Let’s talk about water. Essential for life. Keeps us hydrated. Makes our skin glow. But drink too much of it, and suddenly, you’re battling nausea, headaches, and—if you really go overboard—water toxicity. In extreme cases? Coma.

The lesson? Even the best things can turn into disasters if overdone. Tourism follows the same rule. It is one of the world’s largest industries, fueling economies and creating jobs. In India, it’s a major employment generator. But when too many tourists flood a destination, it starts creating more problems than benefits.

Think of it as a party. A few guests? Fun. A lively crowd? Even better. But when too many people show up uninvited, the food runs out, the music gets too loud, the host starts regretting their decisions, and someone inevitably breaks an expensive vase. That’s overtourism in a nutshell—when we love a place so much, we practically strangle it.

But how much is ‘too many’? Well, that entirely depends on the capacity of that place.

When Paradise Becomes a Problem

Ever visited a famous landmark only to find yourself lost in a jungle of selfie sticks? Or waited two hours just to take a single picture? Not quite the peaceful getaway you imagined, huh?

Overtourism is what happens when a place gets flooded with so many visitors that it starts breaking under the pressure. It’s not just about overcrowding; it’s about what happens because of overcrowding—pollution, destruction of heritage sites, environmental damage, and a serious downgrade in the quality of life for locals.

In 2017, frustrated residents in Barcelona, Venice, and Mallorca took to the streets, protesting against the flood of tourists turning their homes into giant amusement parks. Even governments had to step in, imposing restrictions to save their cities from crumbling under the weight of unchecked tourism.

Real-Life Examples: When Tourism Goes Too Far

• Mount Everest, once a symbol of extreme adventure, now has literal traffic jams at 29,000 feet. Climbers stand in line on the world’s tallest mountain, waiting for their turn at the summit. Imagine risking frostbite and oxygen deprivation just to wait in queue.
• Antarctica, the last great wilderness, is suddenly the new hotspot, with cruise ships and tourists threatening its fragile ecosystem.
• Shimla & Manali—once charming Indian hill stations—are now choked with traffic, water shortages, and waste management disasters.
• Chardham Yatra in the Himalayas—a spiritual journey now resembles a never-ending highway traffic jam in May and June.
• Sundarbans – dense forests are being cleared for more hotels and restaurants, making life harder for the already endangered Bengal tiger.
• Some tourists seem to believe that cultural heritage sites are their personal graffiti walls. (Yes, Raju loves Pinky, 2024 is now proudly carved into a 500-year-old monument.)
• Bengaluru’s Nandi Hills came to a standstill as heavy traffic clogged its roads over the long weekend from March 14-16, 2025.

The Ugly Side of Overtourism

Sure, tourism brings in revenue, but at what cost? Here’s what happens when things go overboard:

💧 Strain on Resources – Too many visitors mean excessive demand for water, electricity, and waste management. Locals end up competing for essentials in their own hometowns.

🌍 Environmental Damage – To build more hotels, trees are cut, land is flattened, and suddenly, climate change isn’t some abstract concept—it’s right outside your window. Landslides? Floods? Unpredictable weather? You can thank unchecked tourism.

🤦‍♂️ Disrespectful Tourists – Some visitors behave as if local rules don’t apply to them. Littering, vandalizing heritage sites, playing loud music in nature reserves—because apparently, the sound of birds chirping just isn’t entertaining enough.

🚦 Ruined Experience for Everyone – No one enjoys packed attractions, endless queues, and bumper-to-bumper traffic on what was supposed to be a “relaxing getaway.”

💸 Skyrocketing Costs for Locals – As demand rises, so do prices. Locals struggle to afford basic necessities while tourists keep inflating the economy.

So, How Do We Fix This?

Tourism itself isn’t the villain. The real issue is mismanaged and uncontrolled tourism. If we want to keep exploring the world without destroying it, we need some serious adjustments:

✔️ Limit Tourist Numbers – Some destinations, like Amsterdam, have banned new hotels and limited river cruises to reduce congestion. In India, the Archeological Survey of India fines visitors who stay more than three hours within the Taj Mahal complex. Imagine being charged for taking too many selfies!

✔️ Encourage Eco-Friendly Stays – Instead of cutting down forests to build more hotels, why not embrace sustainable alternatives? Uttarakhand has started building eco-friendly camps instead of concrete structures.

✔️ Be a Responsible Traveler – Simple rule: Leave no trace. If you bring plastic, dispose of it properly. Follow local guidelines. Treat every place like it’s your own home (because, technically, Earth is your home).

✔️ Support Local Communities – Skip the big hotel chains and international fast food joints. Eat at local restaurants, shop at local markets, and buy handmade souvenirs instead of mass-produced fridge magnets.

✔️ Ditch the Instagram Illusions – Stop using filters that make places look like a fantasy world. No, that lake isn’t supposed to be neon blue. And no, the Eiffel Tower doesn’t exist in some golden, hazy dreamland. Unrealistic expectations drive overtourism, leading to crowds, disappointment, and damage.

Travel Smarter, Not Harder

The goal isn’t to stop traveling—it’s to travel responsibly. If we don’t change our ways, our favorite destinations will either collapse under pressure or be forced to shut down completely.

So, next time you book a trip, ask yourself: Am I part of the solution or part of the problem?

Because at the end of the day, the real flex isn’t how many places you’ve been—it’s how many places you’ve helped protect.

Happy (and responsible) travels!