These Tourist Hotspots Are Too Crowded to Enjoy This Summer

Do I really need to show you pictures of Dubrovnik, Croatia, when there’s a cruise ship in town, or of the Trevi Fountain in Rome on a hot day, to prove travel has never been as crowded as it is this summer? Probably not. A recent survey by Global Rescue found that 73% of travelers are worried about overtourism, and more than half are actively avoiding popular destinations like France, Spain, Italy, and Thailand. Check out Elliott Confidential, the newsletter the travel industry doesn’t want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don’t tell anyone! “Overtourism weakens destinations by straining infrastructure and depleting resources,” said Dan Richards, CEO of Global Rescue. “It leaves them ill-equipped to handle crises, whether it’s a natural disaster or a surge in crime.”  But are overcrowded destinations dangerous? And what places should you avoid – or not avoid? Are crowded summer travel destinations more dangerous? Traveling to a popular and overcrowded destination can be risky. A combination of political tensions, environmental challenges, and crime concerns requires travelers to be more diligent in planning, said Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection. “Many destinations that were once considered relatively safe now face multiple interlinked problems that heighten the risks for travelers,” he added. “Travel is certainly more complex.” Even with all the crowds, you might be perfectly safe. But that doesn’t mean you’ll have a positive experience. There’s a growing backlash against mass tourism in some destinations, so you might feel unwelcome. “This backlash results in new restrictions on tourism or a less welcoming atmosphere for travelers,” explained John Rose, the chief risk officer at ALTOUR, a global corporate travel management company. “It makes some traditionally popular destinations less appealing or more challenging to navigate.” One way to avoid the chaos is to ask a professional for advice.  A competent travel adviser will help ensure that you don’t end up standing in a long line this summer. But what does your travel adviser know that you don’t? Alonso Marly, a travel adviser at Skylux Travel, shares his thoughts – click here to read what he says.