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Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

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Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#151

Post by toyg »

velik_m wrote: post #149
toyg wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> everyone with Rick Steve’s guidebook, they all go look at exact same thing [...] I wonder if there are any other guidebooks Is this sarcasm? The existence of guidebooks, in itself, ensures that multiple people will do what the guide says. A "better" guidebook will just ruin those "better" experiences too. In there you have the contradiction of tourism, which really extends to a lot of our modern lifestyle: everybod…

> Is this sarcasm? The existence of guidebooks, in itself, ensures that multiple people will do what the guide says. A "better" guidebook will just ruin those "better" experiences too. That assumes the guidebook is the same for everyone. In today's world of smartphone apps it's not hard to imagine a "personalized" guidebook for each tourist. You could even take it a step forward and make it fully dynamic and "re-rout…

It would still break down at scale, statistically speaking, at least for the most famous destinations (i.e. the above-mentioned European capitals). And the experience would still be sub-par: you appreciate more what you discover on your own, because your brain is reacting to your own instincts rather than being intellectually told what you should like. It's also much harder to be disappointed, because there was no guide raising your expectations.

Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#152

Post by DanBC »

sytelus wrote: post #5

I grew up with stories of people like Maco Polo and love of travel but my recent trips to Europe has almost repulsed and disillusioned me. Tiny European countries are being swamped by huge swath of tourists, everyone with Rick Steve’s guidebook, they all go look at exact same thing, take exact same pictures and even eat at exact same recommended restaurants. There is a lot to see and little to reflect when you are am…

You can take a "Last Minute Trips"[0] approach and just throw a dart into a map. You'd have to work a bit harder to find out the interesting stuff about the place you're going to. You're going to miss some of the huge popular stuff. But it's going to be a nicer experience.

Somewhere like England is small enough that if you end up throwing your dart in Swindon[1] it's a short drive from a nicer place.

[0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KL8yc-AUuo&list=PLxx9HYDHVI...

[1] Just kidding. Swindon is awesome and has some nice industrial museums and is pretty close to amazing countryside.

Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#153

Post by blondie9x »

unzadunza wrote: post #62
blondie9x wrote: post #18

Traveling is overrated. Often times in modern life it feels as thought traveling is a competition rather than for leisure and pleasure. People are often competing to take pictures and say they have been to as many places as possible. Props to travel companies for propagating the travel craze and selling people on the allure of taking pictures and eating food in another spot on Earth. Count the number of people's prof…

I had to create an account just to agree with you. I express the same opinion to my wife and whoever else will listen and so far every single one of them get mad at me. I just don't understand the attraction of traveling to some country where it's clear that most of the people don't like you. You are not alone. However, there was that one time we went to Ireland and were the only Americans in a bar and the band found…

Yeah it is definitely complicated. I think there is some degree of travel that makes sense but right now it has become a competition and a game rather than a stop and breathe, soak this in sort of thing. In that sense all this competition is for naught and much more can be learned by appreciating earth where one dwells now. Learn to see and understand the people around you in different parts of the city and better understand ho humanity impacts the environment similarly across the planet.

Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#154

Post by eaenki »

A2017U1 wrote: post #85
blondie9x wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work remote and can travel anywhere anytime so I see it as it is rather than as a fantasy to escape boredom locally.

I work remotely and find it very hard to believe you can go "anywhere anytime". Personal still take leave to go traveling, the infrastructure in most places on Earth is virtually nonexistent. There's a reason you won't find any digital nomads working from beautiful Pacific islands.

Weird. I travel quite often. More often than not in remote places. In my experience there's ALWAYS an airbnb/resort/hotel that has WIFI satellite. Also, coding/designing/answering emails very rarely requires a fast internet connection. Some anecdotal examples: Galapagos, Socotra, Lofoten, Sacred Valley, Island of the Sun, Patagonia and Atacama's desert.

Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#155

Post by kwhitefoot »

DanBC wrote: post #152
sytelus wrote: post #5

I grew up with stories of people like Maco Polo and love of travel but my recent trips to Europe has almost repulsed and disillusioned me. Tiny European countries are being swamped by huge swath of tourists, everyone with Rick Steve’s guidebook, they all go look at exact same thing, take exact same pictures and even eat at exact same recommended restaurants. There is a lot to see and little to reflect when you are am…

You can take a "Last Minute Trips"[0] approach and just throw a dart into a map. You'd have to work a bit harder to find out the interesting stuff about the place you're going to. You're going to miss some of the huge popular stuff. But it's going to be a nicer experience. Somewhere like England is small enough that if you end up throwing your dart in Swindon[1] it's a short drive from a nicer place. [0] https://www.…

> Swindon is awesome

I think that is the first positive statement about my birthplace that I have seen in years, and by far the most positive.

It's just a pity that so much of the centre is so run down. Hardly any real improvement in the last thirty years as far as I can see.

Re: Paradise Lost: How Tourists Are Destroying the Places They Love

#156

Post by lzy »

dougmwne wrote: post #147
Agustus wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or killed. Guidebooks are developed as guides not only for the good, but also the bad.

Seriously? You'll be killed if you don't use a guidebook? Most of the world is quite safe. For the few places that arn't, I dont think Lonely Planet is going to going to be much help unless your keep it in your breast pocket. Don't take bad risks. Use your wits and common sense. Stay aware of your surroundings. Fear is the mind killer.

> For the few places that arn't, I dont think Lonely Planet is going to going to be much help unless your keep it in your breast pocket.

Thanks for this analogy. Made me chuckle.

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