Be a Traveler— Not a Tourist
Tourists on Main Market Square in Krakow, Poland. Photo by Jacek Dylag via Unsplash
Traveling the world is a profound and transformative experience—sometimes even a lifelong calling for some. The exploration of countries and cultures apart from those familiar to you can be eye-opening to different ways of life, mindsets and norms.
Still, the American infatuation with tourism has left economies more fragile than ever around the world vulnerable. The American tourist footprint actively disrupts local economies and threatens the authentic, immersive travel experience.
It is quite easy to understand why people are drawn to experience the wonders of the world. In an ideal world, vacationing on that island you saw online or going to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame would leave no negative impact. However, the mass touring of countries with rich and admirable cultures, which Americans long to experience on their only five-day vacation out of the year, comes with serious global impacts.
Approximately 76% of Americans have traveled abroad at least once. In 2023, about 80.7 million U.S. citizens traveled internationally with top destinations, including France, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Italy. While tourism can be beneficial to local economies, overtourism, especially from American travelers, often causes harm.
To preserve the cultures and integrity of top American tourist destinations, Americans must be intentional with their experience, focusing on cultural immersion rather than exploitation.
Several countries have closed their borders to American tourists due to various causes other than diplomatic and political tensions. Venice is a European city that has experienced an influx of American tourism, as it has been romanticized and admired through media and film.
Venice has implemented a tourist tax specifically for visitors who are only spending the day exploring the historic center. The tax is €5 per person and is designed to manage the impact of day-trippers on the city’s fragile ecosystem.
All over Europe, specifically in Amsterdam and Barcelona, there is public outrage among locals against tourists. Amsterdam draws around 20 million tourists a year, prompting the release of the city’s “stay away” campaign in their latest series of initiatives to control the influx of tourism.
According to the BBC, in July 2024, thousands of residents took to the streets of Barcelona to protest the overtourism in their city, attempting to make an uncomfortable environment for outsiders and visitors. They even began spraying tourists with water guns, chanting “Barcelona is not for sale.”
These examples of public outcry may seem like expressions of xenophobia against Americans, but when dissecting how overtourism has impacted economies negatively, the outrage begins to make more sense.
Rent in Barcelona increased by 18% between 2023 and 2024 due to vacation rentals and Airbnb. The rising cost of living for locals due to overtourism has not only sparked a loss of cultural authenticity but is actively influencing the gentrification of historic places around the world.
A tourist consumes while the traveler engages. When choosing to travel abroad as an American, it is integral to understand the importance and power of your choices.
To truly experience cultural immersion, traveling responsibly and leading with gratitude for the local people is key. As a daughter of immigrants, I have always been drawn to traveling abroad and appreciating the cultures of various areas of the world.
Defining the difference between tourists and travelers was my priority when studying in Paris this past semester. I was able to see firsthand that American tourists tend to subconsciously disrespect the ways of foreign people, not taking into account that the cultural norms of residents are meant to be appreciated — not ignored.
Small signs of respect and support for local communities can include simply choosing ethical accommodations, like local businesses over large resorts, shopping locally, avoiding exploitative attractions and being mindful of environmental impact.
Breaking away from the individualist American mindset brings a more mindful travel experience, which is ultimately abundantly more rewarding for the traveler. When considering the difference between the responsible traveler versus the negligent tourist — choose to be the traveler.
Americans should prioritize immersion, respect, and sustainability over convenience and social media-driven travel. The world should be explored, but not at the expense of the people who call it home.