Screaming voices on over tourism

There’s a brewing war against over tourism around the world right now. Recently, Spain marched to the streets to protest against Airbnb operators who overfill the country. Protesters even spray water guns to tourists because it disables the locals’ privilige to enjoy its local serenity. Over tourism robs social benefits from locals seen in the increased rental fees and commodities caused by high demand.

France temporarily closes some landmarks for tourists as local workers protest for over crowd.

Mexico went violent in protest destroying restaurants and boutique shops in tourist places.

Australia rushes to create policies to counter over tourism.

Other European country residents have become too vocal on protest against over tourism.

COMMON CAUSE OF MOVEMENT AGAINST OVER TOURISM

1) Overcrowding in Popular Destinations

2) Rising Housing and living Costs

3) Environmental Impact

4) Loss of Local Identity and Culture

5) Strain on Infrastructure

6) Unbalanced Economy

CAUSE OF OVER TOURISM

Travelling has become a lifestyle in the past decade or so, with social media intensifying the wanderlust not because for the love to immerse in slow travel, but to take selfies to brag for validation. This tourists, Europeans call them “dogs”. You will see the tourist’s travel intention through their behavior when travelling. The dog behavior destroys not only the local’s peace but also the peace of other tourists with right travel intentions to co-exist with the locals.

MASS TOURISM IN BORACAY

Pre-pandemic era, we reached mass tourism which prompted a six months closure for rehab in 2018 to fix the effect of over tourism. Post pandemic, tourist arrival number showed comparable statistics with pre-covid. Today, The island still aims more trying to bring the mass of the korean market back, the volume of partygoers again, and other new markets: Muslims, Taiwan, India, etc. The reason for this is the demand from stakeholders mainly by the big players because there’s an enormous supply in the accommodation sector. Now, the local government and the tourism office are compelled to respond.

It’s a reactive measure after we miss to be proactive and be visionary in the past. Over-development should have not happened if careful and considerate infrastructure policy was put in place during the critical time when the island was still taking off — that locals weren’t allowed to be pushed back by big investors, that the local government was on the side of Boracaynons to protect its dignify and right for livelihood.

As Boracaynon that seeks equality for locals, big companies leaving Boracay wasn’t bad at all from our perspective. Though the Laketown still feels like a korean town, at least korean operators are lesser now. Local enterprises now have the opportunity for livelihood.

Boracay did not need franchise companies and big hotel brands. Our innocence, naivety, and cultural identity are the factors that made the world love us — our authentic local qualities was a standout among the whole Boracay experience, not fancy hotels.

Tourism should be about coexistence — where locals, tourists, and businesses thrive together, not where small players get swallowed by the giants.