“Parisians out!” read a sign in Plogoff; “Non aux Parisiens” was scratched into a car in Plobannalec-Lesconil, while in Penmarc’h tourists were told they were less desirable than migrants.

Parisians have long had a reputation for their character and moodiness, with a clear line often drawn between “the French” and “the Parisians”. Has the war between the two turned more brutal this summer?

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Several cars bearing Île-de-France licence plates were vandalised in the Finistère seaside town of Plobannalec-Lesconil, with inscriptions reading “non au Parisieim” [sic] and “Parigots dehors” – parigot being a derogatory slang term for a Parisian.

Mayor Loïc Le Fur expressed his “disgust” on social media, calling the vandalism “deeply shocking”.

“Our municipality has always been, and must remain, an open, welcoming and respectful municipality for everyone. I offer my full support, and that of the council, to the victims of this vandalism.”

He did not say whether that “support” extended to paying for the damage.

The hostility was not confined to Finistère. In Saint-Suliac, Ille-et-Vilaine, graffiti appeared on private properties, reading “Bobos out” and “Saint-Suliac is losing its soul”.

“Refugees welcome, tourists go home”

Parisians were not the only ones targeted. After severe heatwaves and wildfires swept through southern France this summer, tourists flocked to the cooler coasts of Brittany in search of some fresh air, placing an additional burden on towns and villages unaccustomed to and, in some cases, unprepared for such numbers.

In Penmarc’h, the words “Refugees welcome, tourists go home!” were daubed on a wall, while a jogger was verbally abused by two people on a bike after telling them, when asked, that she was not from the area.

The town’s mayor, David Le Berre, also took to social media to denounce the phenomenon. He insisted that the behaviour had nothing to do with “the welcoming spirit of Penmarc’h”, promised that the graffiti would be removed promptly and “firmly condemned” any form of verbal abuse.

Penmarc’h has around 5,600 residents, but its population triples to more than 17,000 in summer, straining roads, parking and a housing market already squeezed by second homes.

Between April and September last year, Finistère recorded 7.4 million overnight stays, making it the most visited department in Brittany. According to 2023 figures from Tourisme Bretagne, French tourists account for four-fifths of overnight stays in the region, with nearly a third coming from the greater Paris Île-de-France area.

But is this really new? Anne Gallo-Kerleau, president of Tourisme Bretagne, told Le Parisien that such expressions of discontent had always existed, and she denied that the incidents resulted from an exceptional influx of visitors this summer. She said that July visitor numbers were no higher than usual. A Tourisme Bretagne study cited by the newspaper found that 89% of Bretons consider tourism acceptable.

@rmc_off

Des tags anti-touristes en Bretagne… Plusieurs voitures immatriculées en région parisienne ont été rayées la semaine dernière dans le Finistère Sud avec messages hostiles comme "Parigot, dehors" ou encore "Non aux Parisiens."

♬ son original – RMC

Coolcations bring new pressures

If forecasts and travel trends are anything to go by, more holidaymakers will continue to desert the increasingly scorched Mediterranean south in favour of “coolcations” along the Channel and Atlantic coasts.

Brittany is not the only region experiencing a backlash. On the Île de Ré, “Parisians go home” leaflets have reportedly been circulated, and the situation in Corsica has reportedly become more threatening. A dormant independence movement resurfaced this summer to warn second-home owners: “Do not consider yourselves safe on our national territory.”

L’article Anti-tourist backlash in Brittany targets Parisian visitors est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Rather than following bucket lists, “Tiny Tourists” look for small and local experiences. That could mean visiting a supermarket, taking public transport, going for a run or looking around a local pharmacy. Travellers could also explore residential streets, visit second-hand shops or pay more attention to details such as street signs and gardens. The report describes this as a desire to experience the everyday way of living somewhere and compare it with life at home.

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The idea comes at a time when many popular destinations are struggling with overtourism. Large numbers of visitors are often concentrated around the same attractions, neighbourhoods and viewpoints. Social media can add to that pressure when a particular beach, restaurant or street suddenly goes viral. Tiny Tourism turns that logic around by suggesting that a viral video can sometimes be an indication of where not to go.

Everyday activities can instead become part of the travel experience. A supermarket abroad can introduce visitors to unfamiliar products and flavours, while public transport shows how residents move around their city. Local markets and neighbourhood shops can offer another perspective on a destination. Instead of constantly looking for spectacular sights, the Tiny Tourist Report encourages travellers to focus on smaller details and observe everyday life.

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Brussels provides an interesting example of how the approach could work. Almost every visitor knows the Grand-Place, Manneken Pis and Atomium, but much of daily life takes place away from those famous sights. Tourism data published by visit.brussels shows how concentrated visitor movements can be. In a 2023 survey, 97% of respondents visited or planned to visit the Grand-Place and city centre, compared with 20% for Flagey and Châtelain and 13% for Saint-Gilles.

A Tiny Tourist could therefore take a tram out of the historic centre and spend time in Saint-Gilles. Around the Parvis de Saint-Gilles, visitors can find a local market, terraces and small shops, while simply walking through the neighbourhood reveals its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture. The same approach could lead travellers to the Marolles, with its second-hand shops and flea market at Place du Jeu de Balle. Matongé and Saint-Boniface offer another side of Brussels through their grocery stores, cafés, restaurants and specialised shops.

If visitors spread their time across different neighbourhoods, Tiny Tourism could potentially help redistribute some of the pressure created by tourism. Instead of thousands of people following almost identical itineraries, travellers could spend more time in different parts of a destination. Their spending could also reach neighbourhood cafés, markets and independent businesses outside the main tourism areas. However, Tiny Tourism is a travel philosophy rather than a proven solution, and the report does not establish that it can reduce overtourism.

The approach also has limitations. If thousands of travellers begin searching for the same supposedly authentic neighbourhoods and hidden places, today’s quiet street could become tomorrow’s viral attraction. Residential neighbourhoods are places where people live and should not simply become new tourist attractions. At the same time, there is no reason visitors should feel guilty for seeing famous landmarks, many of which are popular because of their cultural and historical importance.

Tiny Tourism therefore does not have to replace traditional sightseeing. Travellers could visit the Grand-Place in the morning before spending the afternoon wandering around Saint-Gilles or browsing the Marolles. Rather than trying not to be tourists, visitors could simply distribute their time and attention differently. Tiny Tourism may not be the single answer to overtourism, but its focus on smaller places and everyday experiences offers a different way to think about how we travel.

L’article Could the ‘Tiny Tourist’ approach be the answer to overtourism? est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

More than 80,000 people hike the Tour du Mont-Blanc every year, an influx that places strain on infrastructure in small towns and villages. Even places accustomed to visitors, such as Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, in Haute-Savoie, a village inFrance’s third-largest ski area, and a starting point for the Tour, cannot cope, according to mayor Jean-Marc Peillex.

In remarks to Swiss broadcaster SRF, Peillex recently pointed to how crowded parts of the Mont-Blanc trail have become, with back-to-back groups of hikers moving in single file. Littering and a lack of respect for the countryside are also problems. He wants visitor numbers to be restricted through a system of permits, with penalties for non-compliance.

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A set of rules coming into force next spring in Saint-Gervais and several other French municipalities will mean Tour du Mont-Blanc hikers are required to make advance reservations for a place in a mountain hut or an authorised basic bivouac zone. Anyone who finds the accommodation fully booked would have to postpone their plans, reducing visitor numbers and human pressure on the trail, Peillex says.

These Mont-Blanc municipalities are not the first to introduce advance reservations. Three mountain refuges (Nid d’Aigle, Tête Rousse and Goûter) already operate a similar system. However, the spread of pre-booking rules is causing debate among the hiking community.

#Prévention Ascension du Mont Blanc
Rappels :
Réservations obligatoires aux refuges
Bivouac interdit en-dehors du campement de base
Aux faux guides aux prix attractifs !
Nos camarades du @PGHMchamonix veillent sur votre sécuritéhttps://t.co/AiIMvh9AWd
F. Garcia pic.twitter.com/FK9DE4jgwz

— Gendarmerie nationale (@Gendarmerie) August 16, 2019

Mountain guides have highlighted the unintended impact on their work, saying they must now reserve places in refuge huts a year in advance, before they have client bookings. Critics of the reservation system also say it undermines people’s freedom to roam the mountains, could discourage active lifestyles, and may affect local economies by reducing visitor numbers and pushing hikers towards trail entry points elsewhere, such as Switzerland, where no such restrictions are currently planned.

However, for those who see the Alpine trail as already suffering from overtourism, reducing visitor numbers is a desirable goal.

Meanwhile, Swiss authorities such as Joachim Rausis, mayor of Orsières in the canton of Valais, have acknowledged that some regulation is needed but warned of the potential for visitor confusion amid differing rules between destinations. He called above all for “coordination between Switzerland, Italy, and France”, suggesting further access restrictions could be on their way.

L’article Popular Mont Blanc hiking trail faces new reservation rules from 2027 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Can you describe the situation prompting the recent joint statement?

The situation is that there are a lot of boats on the sea, a lot of people using it. Malta doesn’t have abundant visible wildlife, so when dolphins or turtles do appear, people rush toward them, usually out of enthusiasm, not malice. I think it’s mostly a lack of knowledge and lack of information, which pushes people into an improper way to approach these animals.

There’s already a Code of Conduct for this, isn’t there?

Yes. ACCOBAMS, the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area, has published voluntary guidelines that predate my own career in the field. There’s not a law, but… as human beings, we don’t need a law to do the right thing. Malta’s Environment and Resources Authority and Transport Malta have both since run awareness campaigns echoing those same rules. This shows that the message is spreading, even if enforcement remains limited.

What is EcoMarine Malta’s responsibility as a tourism operator?

We have the responsibility to share this knowledge and to become ambassadors of the sea. That means teaching people to enjoy nature without being a burden: no touching, no feeding and no chasing. On our boat tours, rather than simply telling passengers what not to do, we let them see the difference for themselves. When we apply the code and they see the dolphins behaving naturally, doing whatever they want, they don’t ask to go closer. They just participate in what is happening. Often, the dolphins reward that patience by approaching the boat on their own.

Behind the statement is real data. Tell us about the research.

Between late 2023 and 2025, EcoMarine Malta ran a passive acoustic monitoring project, leaving an underwater recorder in the water to capture dolphin vocalisations independently of boat activity. We recorded 1,200 hours of vocalisation. Combined with nine years of photo-identification data gathered during our tours, the recordings showed dolphins consistently present in one area, night and day, in good weather and bad weather. This allowed us to identify it as a scientific hotspot rather than relying simply on an impression. That evidence became the basis for one of the statement’s central requests: a mandatory speed limit for all vessels in the zone to reduce both collision risk and underwater noise. Noise interferes with dolphin communication and can trigger the same anti-predatory stress response they show around sharks, which is especially dangerous for mothers with newborn calves.

Why does approach angle matter so much — coming from the side rather than head-on?

From the back, they can get scared. From the front, they feel attacked. Slowing down roughly 300 metres away and approaching from the side allows the animals to see, hear and assess the boat calmly. If they don’t perceive you as a threat, they can also choose to approach you.

The statement drew 29 endorsing organisations, but EcoMarine Malta didn’t claim the lead.

That was deliberate. It’s not about who is the leader of this action. The result is the most important thing. What united such a varied group, from ranger units to environmental NGOs, was simple: everyone cares about marine life, about the sea and about respect.

Has government engagement followed?

Yes. We have had renewed meetings with Malta’s Environment and Resources Authority, while operators such as EcoMarine Malta continue to act informally as eyes on the water, reporting both good and bad behaviour.

The statement also calls for a formal public reporting system. Giving this responsibility to the general public means everyone becomes more conscious of how they behave. The idea would be to have escalating warnings before any fine, with penalties reserved for repeat or severe offenders.

The mission is not to punish, but to create more information for a better conservation plan. I’m working for the people of the sea, the dolphins, the turtles and the seabirds, not against the people on land.

L’article On Malta’s waters, a fight to protect dolphins and a model for responsible tourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Exmoor National Park spans parts of Devon and Somerset in the southwest of England. It boasts sea cliffs, moorlands, streams, and deep valleys, which host rare temperate Atlantic Rainforest habitats. Park Authority (ENPA) data reports roughly 1.6 million tourism visits annually.

Now, “to reward users of the National Park for taking care of this special landscape,” the park has announced it is working with partners under Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan and national “regenerative tourism” goals to “manage tourism in a way that benefits our communities, landscape, visitors, and businesses.”

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The “Pay with Exmoor Care” scheme rewards visitors who undertake “simple positive actions that support the care of Exmoor.” Started on 1 July and ongoing until 30 September, the concept offers participants a 20% discount on eligible purchases at participating Exmoor National Park Centres.

To qualify, participants must complete at least one recognised “Exmoor Care” action during their visit and provide “reasonable evidence” of it (such as photos, app submissions, or social media posts) at the point of purchase. The 20% discount is valid for a single transaction and is non-cumulative and non-transferable, with no cash alternative

The park authority says it was inspired by Copenhagen’s “very successful” CopenPay scheme, and has developed a similar promotion “more suitable” for a rural National Park. The Exmoor edition sees visitors earning their 20% for either: a two-minute litter pick; recording three plant or animal species they’ve found in Exmoor on the iNaturalist app; sharing “love and appreciation for Exmoor National Park” on social media using the @ExmoorNP tag; or journeying to the park’s centres by bike or public transport instead of a car.

According to the National Park authority (ENPA), the scheme brings to life the ambitions of Exmoor’s Good Tourism Plan, “supporting tourism that is regenerative, productive and resilient, ensuring that visitors, businesses, communities and landscapes all benefit.”

Dan James, enterprise and communications manager for ENPA, said: “‘Pay with Exmoor Care’ is a simple but powerful idea – rewarding small positive actions with real benefits. These simple actions positively contribute to Exmoor’s natural environment and communities; they help turn care into a visible, shared currency that benefits visitors, businesses and the landscape alike.”

This year’s scheme is a pilot, but the park has already expressed the intention to expand the good deeds discount by involving other providers, organisations, and business partners in the future. Find out about other destinations that offer sustainability perks here.

L’article Visitors to UK’s Exmoor National Park to receive discounts for environmental good deeds est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

“The question is no longer how tourism can do less harm, but whether it can give back more than it takes,” Meltem Acar, Vice President of Brand & Strategic Marketing at Paloma Group, told Travel Tomorrow during the Europe Responsible Tourism Forum in Brussels last June. “Regeneration begins with respect for the place, its people and its natural rhythms.”

For Club Marvy, Paloma Hotels’ flagship resort overlooking Türkiye’s Aegean coast, that philosophy is more than an aspiration. Earlier this year, the property received the Gold Award in the Nature Positive category at the ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards, recognising its work in biodiversity conservation, habitat protection and marine stewardship.

Beyond sustainability

Club Marvy forms part of Paloma Hotels, a family-owned Turkish hospitality group that has welcomed guests to the Mediterranean for more than four decades. While sustainability has become an increasingly common objective across the hotel industry, Club Marvy was conceived to explore a more regenerative model of hospitality, one that aims not simply to minimise environmental impacts but to create positive outcomes for nature and local communities.

The resort opened in 2017 following the transformation of the former Paloma Club Sultan Özdere. Rather than clearing the site and starting from scratch, the redevelopment sought to preserve the natural character of Kesre Bay, a 160,000-square-metre landscape of protected pine and palm trees overlooking the Aegean Sea. Buildings were integrated into the existing topography, allowing the surrounding forest and coastline to remain defining elements of the guest experience.

That philosophy is reflected in two of Club Marvy’s guiding principles: “A transformation, not a construction” and “Respect before sustainability”, emphasising that responsible tourism begins with understanding the character of a place before attempting to improve it. 

Nature as infrastructure

The judges of the 2026 ICRT Europe Responsible Tourism Awards recognised Club Marvy for embedding biodiversity into its day-to-day operations rather than treating conservation as a standalone initiative.

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Habitat restoration, marine conservation, species protection and biodiversity monitoring all contribute to the resort’s long-term environmental strategy. Rather than viewing forests, beaches and marine ecosystems simply as attractive scenery, Club Marvy considers them essential infrastructure supporting the destination’s future.

This approach also reflects wider changes taking place across Mediterranean tourism. As rising temperatures, water scarcity and biodiversity loss increasingly affect destinations, many hospitality businesses are recognising that healthy ecosystems are not only environmentally valuable but also economically essential.

Rooted in local food traditions

Food plays a central role in Club Marvy’s regenerative philosophy. Rather than relying primarily on imported products, the resort places strong emphasis on seasonal ingredients, regional recipes and local producers. Olive harvesting, pomegranate festivals and traditional culinary experiences invite guests to discover the rhythms of the Aegean landscape while supporting nearby farming communities. The objective is not simply to showcase local gastronomy but to strengthen regional supply chains and preserve agricultural traditions that have shaped the area for generations.

The hotel’s sustainability programme also prioritises local procurement wherever possible, alongside careful supplier selection, resource efficiency, waste reduction and environmental awareness throughout its operations.

Culture as part of the destination

Club Marvy’s regenerative approach extends beyond the environment. Local craftsmanship, regional architecture, music, traditions and gastronomy are woven into the guest experience, allowing visitors to engage more deeply with the identity of Türkiye’s Aegean coast.

Speaking to Travel Tomorrow, Meltem Acar said regeneration is also about preserving cultural identity and ensuring that tourism strengthens, rather than dilutes, local traditions. “Looking back to move forward” and “The rituals of our ancestors” are guiding principles that reflect the belief that cultural heritage should remain a living part of everyday life rather than becoming a performance for visitors.

Rather than presenting local culture as entertainment, Club Marvy seeks to create meaningful connections between guests and the communities that shape the destination, helping ensure traditions continue to generate social, cultural and economic value for future generations.

Measuring hospitality differently

Club Marvy’s Nature Positive award reflects a broader shift taking place across the hospitality industry.

For decades, luxury hotels have largely been measured by comfort, exclusivity and service. Today, an increasing number of travellers also expect destinations to demonstrate environmental responsibility, meaningful community engagement and transparent sustainability commitments.

To support these ambitions, Club Marvy has implemented environmental management systems covering energy, water, waste, procurement and biodiversity protection. The resort publishes regular sustainability reports, promotes local sourcing, monitors resource consumption and works with employees, suppliers and guests to improve environmental performance.

As destinations prepare for a future shaped by climate change and growing pressure on natural resources, regenerative tourism is gradually moving from a niche concept towards a mainstream business strategy. For Club Marvy, the benchmark is no longer simply reducing its footprint.

As Meltem Acar told Travel Tomorrow, “The question is no longer how tourism can do less harm, but whether it can give back more than it takes.” At Club Marvy, that principle has become more than a vision. It has become the benchmark against which the resort measures its future.

L’article How Club Marvy is turning responsible tourism into everyday practice est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The one-hour webinar, taking place from 12:00 to 13:00 UK time, will also mark the launch of the new Responsible Tourism Award categories for 2027.

The Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide recognise organisations and initiatives that are helping make tourism more sustainable. Winners will be announced across categories including nature-positive and regenerative tourism, cultural tourism, creating economic impact, adapting to climate change, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Entries are currently being assessed from candidates across North America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. The worldwide ceremony is the fifth regional Responsible Tourism Awards event to take place this year, following award announcements in Latin America, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.

The awards will be presented by Harold Goodwin, founder of ICRT Global and chair of the judging panel. He will be joined by fellow judges Jane Ashton, ICRT Global board director; Eleanor Cox, sustainability executive at DERTOUR; Ruth Crichton, ICRT Southern Africa chair and representative of The Long Run; Yashin Dujon, executive director at the Belize Audubon Society; Karen Edwards, author and writer; Tiomóid Foley, net zero tourism manager, business development and intermediary marketing at VisitScotland; Carol Hay, ICRT Global special advisor; and Jane McFadzean, senior director of global sustainability at Trip.com.

Alongside the awards, the event will reveal the ten recipients of the 2026 ICRT Global Scholarships, delivered in partnership with ITB Berlin. Ryan Fuller, head of CSR and host country coordinator at ITB Berlin, together with ICRT special advisors Carol Hay and Sarah Habsburg, will outline how the programme supports the next generation of responsible tourism professionals.

The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to complete one of ICRT Global’s online professional certificate courses in Responsible Tourism, Rebalancing Tourism or Creating Economic Value. The courses provide participants with expert teaching, global case studies, peer discussions and practical tools that can be applied within their own organisations and destinations.

The scholarship programme is backed by partners including easyJet holidays, The Institute of Tourism, Lemongrass Marketing, Mathur & Co and Responsible Travel. Recipients will also have opportunities to engage with representatives from the sponsoring organisations during the programme.

The Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide is a part of a broader international awards network that also includes regional programmes in Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Gold winners from the regional competitions go on to compete for the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by the Belize Tourism Board.

Debbie Hindle, chair of ICRT Global, highlighted: “We want this event to celebrate those already making a difference, but also to inspire others to take responsibility for the impacts of tourism. By bringing together award-winning initiatives, scholarship recipients, industry leaders and responsible tourism practitioners, we will be demonstrating the breadth of work taking place around the world to make tourism a positive force change, creating better places to live in and visit.” 

The free webinar is open to participants worldwide, with sessions scheduled for 7:00 a.m. EDT on the US East Coast, 12:00 p.m. in London, 3:00 p.m. in Dubai, 8:00 p.m. in Japan and 9:00 p.m. in Sydney. Registration is available through the ICRT Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide and Scholarships event page.

L’article ICRT to announce Responsible Tourism Awards Worldwide and 2026 Scholarships in free global webinar est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The tax is levied at the same rate year-round, putting an additional five percent on overnight accommodation, including Airbnb, bed and breakfasts, barges and boats, hostels, hotels, and short-term rentals. The fee is collected by accommodation operators and capped at five nights to promote longer stays.

Approved back in early 2025, the tax began applying on 1 October 2025 to advance bookings for stays on or after 24 July 2026. The money raised is to be targeted at measures to improve the balance between city-dwellers’ and visitors’ needs.

“We know that the city’s popularity comes at a cost through the pressure it puts on our services and on the people who live and work here all year round,” Council Leader Jane Meagher said. “This small new contribution from overnight visitors will help improve the services and public spaces we all depend on, while better managing the effects of tourism and major events.”

At the time of writing, the city is approaching the height of its event calendar, with August’s International Festival on the horizon, encompassing the worlds of the arts, comedy, theatre, books, and film and expected to see 3.85 million attendances at events across the month.

Money generated by the new tax has already been earmarked for public safety at the carnival that kicks off festival season. What’s more, over €9 million is dedicated to new arts venues, in the shape of the restoration of Leith Theatre and the transformation of the Old Royal High School into a national music centre.

Edinburgh's Visitor Levy officially comes into effect tomorrow!

The UK's first city-wide levy is projected to raise up to £50 million a year to invest back into our city -improving the services we all depend on, while better managing the effects of tourism and major events. pic.twitter.com/Jq2YiZW4Tl

— The City of Edinburgh Council (@Edinburgh_CC) July 23, 2026

But the scope of the tax spend goes beyond both the festival and the summer. Over €1.5 million will go towards additional waste, cleaning, and patrol operations in the city centre, and around €3.5 million will be spent on public lavatories. Parks and green spaces have been allocated double the rangers and a planting budget intended to give them a new lease of life. As Julie Ashworth, Chair of the Edinburgh Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, explained: “From revitalised public spaces to better visitor infrastructure and experiences, we’re confident the levy can help Edinburgh stay welcoming, resilient and successful.”

Still, not everyone is happy. Hospitality stakeholders in the Scottish capital have voiced fears that the tax will put travel consumers off Scotland and reduce their spending in the region. Fiona Campbell, chief executive of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, has also raised concerns about inconsistent implementation and a lack of guidance to businesses about collecting the levy. Others note that the tax penalises holidaymakers who have chosen to stay and spend in the city, rather than targeting day-trippers, who can add to congestion without generating much revenue.

Given the benefits to the arts sector the tax is intended to bring, some criticism of the levy comes from seemingly unlikely sources. Scottish Ballet has had to cut short its winter run of performances in the capital, blaming the strain that the additional five percent would put on its bill of over €230,000.

But Edinburgh is not alone in charging the overnight tax, following in the footsteps of destinations such as Venice and Amsterdam. British cities like Liverpool and Manchester already apply a visitor tax, and other Scottish cities such as Aberdeen and Glasgow are set to bring in their own overnight visitor charge within the next two years.

L’article Edinburgh becomes first city in Scotland to implement tourist tax est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

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The Croatian city of Dubrovnik is one of international repute. While its undeniable charm alone is enough to attract many a history fanatic, the UNESCO-listed Old Town is also a popular stop for cruise ships and ‘Game of Thrones’ lovers. Over the years, this led to an increasingly large number of (day) visitors, putting a strain on the beautiful medieval city that was not built to accommodate as many tourists.

In 2017, overtourism threatened to strip Dubrovnik of its UNESCO status; the so-called ‘Respect the City’ scheme was launched under the mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković. Almost a decade later, Franković, who still occupies the same role, went into detail about the initiative in an interview with Euronews.

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“For years, tourism in Dubrovnik wasn’t managed; it simply just ‘happened’ on its own. Previously, there would be days where five or six cruise ships would arrive at once, bringing with them so many day-trippers from nearby destinations. That’s when we realised we needed to manage tourism differently, so we divided it into different sectors,” stated Mato Franković.

Instead of focusing on reducing the overall visitor numbers, ‘Respect the City’ has been trying to spread tourist arrivals evenly over the days, weeks, and months. Successfully, it appears, as the city welcomes some 650,000 arrivals and two million overnight stays between the start of 2026 and mid-July.

One of the ‘Respect the City’ measures consists of limiting the number of docked cruise ships at Dubrovnik’s port to just two, or a maximum of 4,000 arrivals. Moreover, cruise calls have to last at least eight hours, which means tourists are more prone to extend their visit beyond the Old Town – reducing the pressure on the historic town centre – and to contribute more towards the local economy.

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A similar rule applies to coach operators. The bus webshop scheme obliges buses to register in advance, meaning the local authorities can stagger arrivals throughout the day and year by adding a limited number of available slots and by adapting that number depending on events and other arrivals.

Yet the ‘Respect the City’ scheme doesn’t just concentrate on spreading awareness. As the name might suggest, the campaign also stimulates visitors and local stakeholders to respect Dubrovnik and its inhabitants.

“Respect for Dubrovnik is something we ask of everyone: citizens, people working in the city, those who come to enjoy Dubrovnik – this is our message to everyone,” explained Mato Franković.

One of the measures includes limiting noise nuisance, for example by banning tourists from wheeling their suitcases through the cobbled streets of the Old Town and by applying a noise level limit of 55 decibels in outdoor areas.

While ‘Respect the City’ already functions as a successful model for handling overtourism, with international destinations looking towards Dubrovnik for inspiration, Mayor Franković is already looking at future measures. Some of those include concentrating tourism on existing hotspots, while replacing underdeveloped tourism zones with affordable housing for locals.

“Short-term rentals are killing cities because step by step, they push residents out and turn living neighbourhoods into tourist apartment zones. It’s going to be just like a generic Disney-land experience, and who wants to visit a ghost town? That’s not what people want – they want to see and meet the citizens. But if we let this continue, our citizens will be forced out of the major cities and into the far away suburbs”, the mayor told Euronews. The aim of the ‘Respect the City’ scheme is clear: safeguarding Dubrovnik for future generations to enjoy, while giving tourists the chance to respectfully marvel at its medieval beauty.

L’article How Dubrovnik’s ‘Respect the City’ scheme is tackling overtourism est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Brombil Reservoir, near Port Talbot, originated as a colliery basin in the 18^th century, but first went viral on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been nicknamed the Welsh “blue lagoon” for its striking colour. Since then, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of social media tags and seen an influx of visitors, as well as being sold in 2024 to Leisure Estate Investments Ltd for the bargain sum of £20,000 (around €23,600).

Ironically, the reservoir’s notable blue colour is reported to be caused by blue-green algae, which produces toxins that are harmful for both humans and dogs, leading to skin rashes, eye irritation, nausea, and vomiting. It’s a mismatch between perception and use that is being played out in other aspects of the site’s destiny too.

Though the reservoir is accessible via a 900-metre-long footpath, the way is steep and has become littered with rubbish. The owners have now installed barriers on the reservoir’s dam face, and a £2 entry fee has been imposed, as well as a ban on a range of “unauthorized” activities.

Swimming, hiking, motorcycling, filming, and camping are all now prohibited without prior consent from the management team, according to the company’s social media pages. Leisure Estate Investments stated: “Our long-term goal is to safely open this site for community health and well-being. However, the reservoir is currently a high-risk infrastructure site and remains private property.”

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The firm went on: “For your own safety, we strictly discourage public access at this time, and all entry is entirely at your own risk. Managing this site requires significant private funding for environmental protection and flood maintenance. If you choose to visit, please support our conservation efforts by paying our £2 site maintenance fee.”

The “maintenance fee” will help raise funds for removing rubbish and managing vegetation, cleaning flood channels, promoting local biodiversity, and repairing structural damage, the statement said.

Online commenters on platforms such as Reddit have complained that the owners did not sufficiently research the implications of owning a reservoir before purchasing it, although it seems for now the intention remains to turn the location into a leisure facility, with the area described on the reservoir website as “perfect for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, filming and those with a keen interest for ecology.”

L’article Tourists warned to stay away or pay to visit Welsh “blue lagoon” reservoir est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.