4 ideas to avoid contributing to
over-tourism this European summer

Spain

There’s so much more to this vibrant and flavour-packed country than just its two biggest cities. So much so that our core focus with the AU/NZ market is to proactively promote lesser-known regions (such as Galicia and Asturias in the north), and year-round seasonally-appropriate destinations to visit (such as the unique combo of skiing followed by thawing out on an island in the cooler months). Nobody wants to endlessly queue on their holiday, fight through jam-packed crowds, or pay over-the-odds, so we encourage Aussies and Kiwis to think about their travel dates (such as shoulder season travel in April / May or September / October instead of the European summer months) and also their destinations of choice. Spain is one of the best-connected countries when it comes to rail infrastructure – it’s so incredibly easy to fly into Madrid or Barcelona, and then jump aboard a train to somewhere off the tourist trail. Feel free to ask us for recommendations of where to go! 

Eurail

Speaking of trains, the flexibility offered with the Eurail Pass enables travellers to more easily follow their curiosity and to connect with new people and places. With 33 countries to choose from, there’s so much more to explore than just the busy and often overcrowded hotspots of France and Italy. Why not try somewhere new in the north (exploring Scandinavia and the Baltics), or somewhere different in the east (from the Balkans across to Turkey)? Promoting the mindset of ‘slow travel’ is a core focus for Eurail – the idea that instead of rushing around to tick tourist boxes, you slow down to fully immerse yourself in a different culture and landscape, and take the time to truly appreciate its differences and marvel at its wonder. Too many Aussies and Kiwis try to cram so much into their itineraries, but from our personal experience a slower pace, taking less-busy regional trains and discovering new unheard of towns and villages is far more enjoyable. Doing so not only gives you real ‘brag-factor’ and travel cred, but crucially helps to spread the economic benefit of tourism.

G Adventures

Community-based travel is at the heart of everything G Adventures stands for. And for those that seek a small group guided itinerary that consciously gives back to the communities visited, then look no further than booking with a reputable operator like G. Most tours incorporate a ‘G For Good’ moment – a carefully-planned experience that promotes positive impact in host destinations. The other thing travellers will notice is G’s Ripple Score – a tangible rating given to each tour, showing how much of your tour cost actually goes back into local communities, supporting local businesses and not the big, overseas corporations. 

Small Luxury Hotels of the World

Each one of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s 570+ hotels is uniquely individual and reflective of their local surrounds. This means travellers get a more authentic and immersive stay, without compromising on luxury. Staying local means more of that tourism dollar stays local, supporting the broader economic ecosystem. And in our experience, staying in a boutique hotel is far more enjoyable an experience than staying in a mega people-filled hotel.

So, will you take a more considered and conscious approach next time you book a holiday?