Global Struggles with Over-Tourism: From Machu Picchu to Thailand

Summer is here and like many you might be planning your next vacation. But here’s the thing, a lot of popular destinations are grappling with the pressure of overtourism or mass tourism.

On today’s episode, we dig into the phenonmenon of over tourism, the growing tensions between locals and visitors and the global economic forces at play. Plus, is it possible to be a responsible tourist or have we pushed some destinations too far?

Later, listeners sound off on the power of labor unions and food allergies. Finally, are you team check-in bag or carry-on? This week’s answer to the Make Me Smart question might make you rethink everything!

Here’s everything we talked about today:

• "Destination dupes" offer glam vacation vibes at a fraction of the price from Marketplace
• “Surging travel in Europe spikes concerns over tourism's drawbacks” from AP News
• “Overtourism was the buzzword of 2024. This summer looks to be just as crowded and chaotic” from CNN
• “Affordable travel is to blame for Europe’s overtourism problem, spoiling its most sought-after cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam and Athens” from Fortune
• “Hawaii will tax vacation stays and use money to help counter climate crisis” from The Guardian
• “The Goal: Tourism That Regenerates Hawai‘i, Not Degrades It” from Hawaii Business

We want to hear your answer to the Make Me Smart question: What’s something you thought you knew, but you later found out you were wrong about? Leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART!