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The Herald Scotland
12-08-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Travelers avoid France, Italy, Thailand as overtourism surges
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 advisor will help ensure that you don't end up standing in a long line this summer. But what does your travel advisor know that you don't? Places you should skip this summer Some destinations are just too hot - literally and figuratively - to handle this summer. Here's where experts say you should think twice before booking: ? Thailand: Thailand's tropical islands have long been a magnet for travelers looking for sun, sand, and affordability. But now there are too many tourists. Experts are advising their clients to steer clear of places like Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi. "Prices are inflated, pollution is rising, and the quality of life for locals is declining," says Alonso Marly, a travel advisor at Skylux Travel. Alternate: Try Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand, which is less touristy and calmer, or Bangkok, which has more room - and better shopping. ? Croatia: Thanks to its starring role in "Game of Thrones" and its popularity among cruise passengers, Dubrovnik has become one of Europe's most overcrowded cities. With just 41,000 residents, it's struggling to handle the influx of tourists. Tourists have caused traffic jams and, on busy days, have made the city almost completely inaccessible. Alternate: Check out Split, which also has an impressive historical inner city (with fewer walls), or head to Zagreb, which is less crowded but still offers a classic Croatian experience. ? Greece: Santorini's brilliant white houses and blue-domed churches have made it a bucket-list destination. But with over 3.4 million visitors annually, the island is buckling under the pressure. Locals are protesting the large influx of tourists, which is making the city unlivable during high season. Other Greek islands, including Mykonos and Corfu, have also been hit hard. Alternate: Athens and Thessaloniki are always safe bets. They can get busy during the summer, but a little less frenzied than the Greek islands. ? Europe's tourism capitals: You know what I'm talking about: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice. These European cities are grappling with anti-tourist sentiment fueled by rising housing costs and overcrowding. Add record-breaking heat waves, and you've got a recipe for a miserable trip. Alternate: Get off the beaten path - even just a little - and you could have a much saner experience. I spent last July in Berlin, and was impressed with how uncrowded it was. I also spent time in Helsinki and northern Sweden, and managed to escape the crowds. Even August in Stockholm isn't so bad because many residents leave town for a month. This is by no means the full list. Chances are,iif you want to go somewhere that's popular, it might be too full. For example, if you're thinking of visiting Rome this summer, remember that it's a Jubilee year, so it's going to be extra crowded. Safer bets: Where to go instead So, where should you go? The safest destinations are the ones marked in the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory system as a Level 1 or Level 2, said John Gobbels, chief operating officer of air medical transport and travel security program Medjet. "But even then, be wary," he added. "Be careful where you go and whom you trust. Do research on the safest and least safe parts of town, because every town has parts you probably should not be walking alone in at night." Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) releases a report of the safest destinations every year, and it's widely considered the gold standard for travel safety. BHTP's research is based on factors such as terrorism, environmental issues and flight delays. On this list this year: Iceland, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland and New Zealand. "After years of conducting this research, patterns have emerged and certain countries and cities, like Switzerland and Singapore, have become mainstays," said Carol Mueller, BHTP's head of marketing. But you don't have to be a security expert to know that some places are riskier than others. I've been traveling around the world for years, and the BHTP list is my go-to for a safe and relatively uncrowded place, even during the summer. Why? Well, for a variety of reasons. For example, it's winter in Australia and New Zealand, which means it's low season, unless maybe you're going skiing on the South Island. Switzerland and Singapore are too expensive to attract the kind of mass tourism you find in Barcelona or Santorini. Iceland is beautiful, but isolated. Be a contrarian this summer The takeaway is the same: If you want to avoid overcrowded destinations this summer, be a contrarian. When everyone else goes north, head south. When they flock to popular destinations, stray off the beaten path And yes, I will be in Europe this summer, but my itinerary is taking me to the places where fewer tourists go. Reykjavik, Prague, Luxembourg, Munich and my ancestral hometown of Amykles, Greece. It's close to the chaos, but not too close. Maybe I'll see you out there. Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and the Elliott Report, a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can reach him here or email him at chris@
Observer
23-05-2025
- Observer
How the US State Department's travel advisory system works
The deadly terrorist attack in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir on April 22 prompted the US State Department to issue an alert for the area, which was already under its highest-level travel advisory, urging travelers to avoid the area until it is deemed safe. Jammu and Kashmir, along with several other areas in India, is under a 'Do Not Travel' advisory, alongside such countries as Ukraine and South Sudan on the US list of destinations with the highest security risks. India as a whole, meanwhile, is under a Level 2 advisory, which encourages travelers to be aware of risks and exercise greater caution. Here is an overview of the travel advisory system and how it works: What the Advisories Convey The State Department regularly updates the advisories, which assign safety rankings for every country. The advisories include entry and exit instructions, safety risks in the country, health conditions and documentation requirements. Each country's page also tells travelers if they need vaccines or tourist visas to enter, passport validity deadlines, and any restrictions on how much cash they can carry in. Some countries, like India, have regional or state-level advisories that may differ from the country as a whole. The Philippines, for example, has different advisory levels by island or province. Any country's status can change suddenly from one day to the next. 'Global factors such as climate change, health crises including diseases and pandemics, and shifting global power dynamics have contributed to an increasingly unpredictable world,' said Frank Harrison, regional security director of the Americas for the travel security company World Travel Protection. 'Risk ratings are evolving at a rapid pace.' Countries including Canada, France, Britain, Norway, and others have their travel advisory pages organized by country. Mexico, which has its own advisory system, issued a travel warning for the U.S. and Canada in April after a jump in measles cases in Mexico was linked to an outbreak in Texas. The Numerical Rankings Every country's travel advisory is ranked from Level 1 to Level 4, with the highest indicating the most extreme conditions. Level 1, labeled Exercise Normal Precautions, means the destination is generally considered safe. Travelers should still be careful, just as they would at home, because there's always some risk when traveling abroad. As of May, countries including Canada, Grenada, Zambia, and Fiji were in this group. Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, considers the country to have some safety risks, but it's still usually safe to visit if you stay alert and follow local advice. Level 2 warnings often arise from concerns about crime, terrorism, protests, or illness. For example, the Netherlands is under a Level 2 advisory because, reads the advisory, '[t]errorists continue plotting possible attacks in the Netherlands.' Dutch officials in December 2024 maintained their terrorist threat assessment level at 4 out of 5, the same level it had been at for a year, because of factors including the war in the Gaza Strip, incidents involving burning of the Quran, and jihadi network activity. Most countries on the U.S. travel advisory list fall under Level 1. Level 3, Reconsider Travel, is used when serious safety concerns like civil unrest, high crime or poor infrastructure are present. For example, Colombia is in this category because some areas of the country are experiencing high rates of crime, terrorism, conflict between armed groups, and the risk of detention by authorities or other parties. The U.S. Embassy in Colombia issued an alert on April 28, encouraging Americans to reconsider travel to Valle del Cauca, a coastal area, because of violent crime. Level 4, Do Not Travel, is issued because of extreme risks, such as war, terrorism or a collapsed health care system. The U.S. government says it might be unable to help travelers in these places if something goes wrong. This classification is assigned to the fewest countries. The State Department advises leaving such countries as soon as it is safe to do so. 'We advise U.S. citizens who decide to travel to a country with a Level 4 Travel Advisory to write a will, have custody arrangements for children, prepare security contingency plans, and have plans if taken hostage or detained,' the department said in an email. About 20 countries fall under this advisory, including Russia, Haiti, and Iran. Americans can travel to Level 4 countries, except for North Korea, but it is discouraged. U.S. citizens can travel to North Korea only for limited humanitarian and other purposes, and travelers can apply to the State Department for a special passport that allows entry. Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza — which the department lists as one country — and Mexico are the only listings labeled 'Other' and do not have numerical rankings. This is because of evolving issues like organized crime, regional conflict, or other fast-moving security considerations that don't fit traditional classifications. How Advisories Are Compiled The State Department compiles the list from sources including U.S. government security and intelligence experts, embassies and consulates, and other federal agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diplomatic missions abroad monitor local conditions and send updates to Washington based on information from local officials, news outlets, law enforcement, and health authorities. Advisories also consider terrorism threats, civil unrest, weather patterns, natural disasters, political stability, local infrastructure, and entry or exit requirements. The State Department did not respond to a question about the potential impact on the advisory system of its recently proposed overhaul, which would entail cuts affecting the work of embassies and consulates overseas. Diplomats and civil service employees expect closures of diplomatic missions and layoffs. Harrison said the changes could have some impact, but he said that the advisory system could endure the cuts because it does not rely solely on Washington. This article originally appeared in
