Where do you go?
Vacationers need new places to holiday in
Pushback against 'over-tourism' is gathering pace. Maui, Hawaiian archipelago's second-largest island, is set to can vacation rentals to meet a housing shortage made worse after a wildfire destroyed neighbourhoods. Reportedly, over a fifth of Maui's housing is built for tourists. Last month, Spaniards turned water guns on unsuspecting vacationers in Barcelona and Mallorca. They were protesting mass tourism that's 'fuelling a housing crunch and erasing their hometowns' character.' Protests in Italy, Greece, Belgium and Bhutan have forced authorities to tweak policies that promote tourism unchecked at the cost of upending a destination's living costs, draining its water, altering its character and degrading the environment. World's most-sought spots are in ecologically fragile areas – or have turned vulnerable after tourism's push. Think: 75% of solid waste in J&K's Pahalgam is courtesy visitors.
India's groaning with car-choked roads, dry water sources and shaky mountains across Himalaya's favourite spots. Landour's population is less than 4,000. Mussoorie's is 30k-35k. In 2024, the two had about 20L holiday-makers. A growing pain for locals are off-season crowds – post-Covid, tourism's a year-round affair. Climate change meets OTT-tourist infra to deal a double whammy: a landslide in Sikkim stranded 1,600 tourists this June. Who's thinking solutions? Limiting numbers was attempted in some hill stations. But little has moved on dispersing the travelling hordes to new cool-climate spots, or building satellite destinations around hotspots. Tourist masses need new destinations.
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email
This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Need spl trains for I-Day weekend: MP
Trichy: MP Durai Vaiko has urged Southern Railway to operate special superfast trains through Trichy to places such as Mysuru and Chennai during the Independence Day weekend. In a letter to the general manager of Southern Railway, the MP said many people would be travelling as the Independence Day falls on Friday. Durai Vaiko also highlighted the need for a special superfast train between Chennai Egmore and Tirunelveli via Tambaram, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Trichy, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi, Manamadurai, and Aruppukottai. He also sought a special superfast train between Trichy and Mysuru via Karur, Salem, and Bengaluru. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Govt nod to 2 new zoos, tiger safari park in state
Ranchi: The wildlife board approved proposals for two zoological parks and a tiger safari park in the state to promote eco-tourism, officials said on Saturday. The board in its Friday meeting, chaired by chief minister Hemant Soren , gave its nod for a zoo over 396.22 acres of land in Giridih and another over 116.35 acres under the Hijla (Western) forest division in Dumka. The board also cleared a proposal to set up a tiger safari park across 150 hectares in Putuwagarh forest of Latehar district, just outside the Palamu Tiger Reserve. An official of the state forest department said, "The CM directed the departments concerned to ensure that the projects are implemented with complete transparency and within the stipulated timelines. He emphasised the importance of maintaining ecological balance and community involvement throughout the execution process." Tourism minister Sudivya Kumar said, "The projects will mark a turning point in the state's journey of becoming a national destination for eco-tourism and wildlife exploration." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
DRM conducts inspection of Patna-Jhajha railway section
Patna: Danapur divisional railway manager (DRM), Vinod Kumar , conducted a window trailing inspection on the Patna-Jhajha railway section of the division under the East Central Railway (ECR) on Saturday. The inspection aimed at evaluating track safety measures and reviewing the ongoing infrastructure development projects across several key locations within the division. Accompanied by senior railway officials, the DRM focused on assessing track stability, the condition of rail bridges, and the overall track fitness along the Patna-Jhajha corridor. The region, known for its vulnerability to weather disruptions during the monsoon, required meticulous monitoring to ensure safe and uninterrupted rail services on the route during the monsoon period, Danapur railway sources said. In addition to the track safety inspection, Kumar also visited ongoing work sites under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) at Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, Lakhisarai and Nawada. These projects are part of an ambitious plan to enhance infrastructure and modernise railway stations to provide better facilities for passengers. The DRM expressed satisfaction over the progress of the work and emphasised the importance of timely completion to cater to the growing needs of rail commuters, a senior railway official of Danapur said. As part of the inspection, the DRM also evaluated the crew lobby at Jhajha and signalling system. He also inspected the Jhajha-Kiul-Gaya-Jehanabad-Patna route. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
