We built a snowman at someone else’s house today We built a snowman at someone else’s house today...while they weren’t home. Thanks @l_l_aurent & @dbottomz402 ⛄️
That one time we went to Hawaii and Ben reminded m That one time we went to Hawaii and Ben reminded me to work on my posture. 👀🤷🏻‍♀️
You make it easy. ❤️ You make it easy. ❤️
🍄 +🥥 + ☕️ = 💪🏽 How many superfood 🍄 +🥥 + ☕️ = 💪🏽

How many superfoods are in your coffee?? Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Collagen & MCT oil in my creamer. Mushrooms are DENSE with vitamins and minerals that promote mental health & immunity. ✌🏽#holisticnutritionist
Isn’t she beautiful?! I still can’t believe we Isn’t she beautiful?! I still can’t believe we have our very own sailboat! 😆 If you know us personally, you’d guess this was Ben’s idea but, believe it or not, it was mine! #ProudMoment ⛵️ This landlocked chick, pruned for practicality, found spiritual freedom and a man cut from the opposite cloth in 2010. And now SHE is talking him into new adventures! Click the link in my profile to watch the video of our first days on our Hunter 35.
This reminds me of an Alanis Morissette song, “I This reminds me of an Alanis Morissette song, “Isn’t it ironic? Like finding yourself white knuckling in FRONT of a plow after the most snow in 15 years?” 😐
It’s sunny and 50° ☀️ There’s a 99% chanc It’s sunny and 50° ☀️ There’s a 99% chance of finding a Nebraskan wearing a tank top or flip-flops outside right now.
Having an “off” day, week, or season? Sometime Having an “off” day, week, or season? Sometimes change, confusion, or disappointment can feel overwhelming & it’s easy to get caught up with what we see or feel. Lately when I feel confused or irritated by something I don’t understand, I try to remind myself that I don’t have a bird’s-eye-view of life. Faith is hope in the things we can not see. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and he knows how this puzzle goes together. “All things work together for my good” — Something might look or feel off right now, but it’s just one piece of a greater puzzle. I can try to force it to work how I want, but it’ll never look quite right & it’ll throw the rest of the puzzle off. My practice is to take a deep breath and say, “Everything is going to be fine.” I remember times when I felt off in the past and how they worked out. This “puzzle piece” might look like a mistake but it just needs a few others to connect before it fits perfectly.
Evidence ⛵️We bought a sailboat! Click the lin Evidence ⛵️We bought a sailboat! Click the link in my bio to watch my video from the first days on our Hunter 35.
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Wellness
  • Faith
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Photography
  • Contact
  •  

Freely Mí

by Michelle Bāzis

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Photography
  • Contact
  •  

Travel · November 21, 2017

Is overtourism killing communities?

This morning, I was reading an article that said many destinations are cracking down on tourism because it is harming their local community. This makes me sad for two reasons: (1) Destinations are capitalizing on tourism and diluting a truly authentic experience for the sake of money. (2) Uneducated travelers could be ruining a good thing for those of us who travel for more reasons than going viral on Instagram.


Taking Advantage of Travelers

Anyone who has done a decent amount of traveling is aware of the phony souvenir stands selling “locally made” goods. I was once victim of one of these stands – I purchased an “artisan made” beaded necklace in NYC and later found it in multiple colors at a chain-boutique in Nebraska. We recently experienced another example of locals taking advantage of naive travelers in Hawaii. While in Kauai, we visited the Spouting Horn. On the way to the lookout point, visitors can walk through a small market of vendors selling everything from Lilo & Stitch paraphernalia and toy instruments to jewelry and handmade baskets. Many jewelry merchants were hocking “Made in Hawaii” accessories…many of which I had also seen in Mexico, Paris, New York City and on Amazon. Another vendor was selling beautiful baskets and bags made of woven orchid stems. When we asked where they were made, the vendor replied, “Fiji.”

Mutually Respectful Tourism

It’s sad that travelers have to be on their guard to avoid being taken advantage of. Here’s another example: Whenever I travel to a non-English speaking country, I do my best to learn basic communications and vocabulary to enhance my experience with the culture and to be respectful. Still, while in France, an unsuspecting baker didn’t realize I had heard her speaking English the day before; she also wasn’t aware that I understood enough French to piece together her frustrating remarks when I asked – in French – if she could help me in English. I’m not offended. I understand her frustration; but it goes both ways with tourism.

Respect Your Destination

As a traveler, I am only creating a problem for my culture when I act like an “ugly American.” Disrespecting a destination and it’s people only contributes to the wall they build, and misrepresenting your own culture has global implications. Take Mexico for example; crime and violence have provoked travel bans and warning labels. Having visited Mexico, I feel sorry for those who do their part to offer a safe and positive experience for travelers. Ben and I had an amazing time in San Pancho last year, meeting some locals we are now friends with on Facebook. Still, it was a little unnerving to see their military patrolling tourist areas.

Give me 100% or nothing

There should be no fast-food version of travel. I don’t want anything less than 100% all-natural destination. Don’t give me the diluted version created to pad your wallet and cater to the masses. If you want tourists to respect your home and show genuine interest in you and your community, stop coddling them with westernized amenities. Those who love your country and its people, will keep coming back and they will invite others. Those who can’t function outside of their happy meal comfort zone will stay home.

In: Travel · Tagged: France, hawaii, Kauai, Mexico, New York City, NYC, Overtourism, Paris, San Pancho, Tourism

You’ll Also Love

What everyone was wearing in NYC
Postcards from Kauai, Hawaii
Mother-Daughter Vacations & Why You Should Plan One

Comments

  1. Scarlett says

    January 16, 2018 at 5:15 pm

    There are so many places in Italy that have completely changed due to tourism. I visited Cinque Terre 10 years ago and it was a very different experience this summer! It’s nice for the communities to share their beautiful towns with eager travelers, but it’s sad when it’s ruining the hiking trails and infrastructure. Interesting post!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Real Talk – Stoke The Fire, Embrace Your Differences & Stand Out

My name is Michelle and I'm so glad you've visited Freely Mí! I created this site in 2014 to share about the experiences that were reshaping my life including adventure travel, plant-based living, self-employment, faith and more. I hope you find something here that encourages you to live a more freeing and fulfilled life!

From Mí to You

Categories

  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Wellness
  • Faith

Reader Favorites

  • Plant Based Diet Grocery List
  • Choosing the Right Diet – Paleo, Vegan, Pescatarian, Mediterranean?
  • Family Recipe: Croatian Povitica

Trending Now

  • Plant Based Diet Grocery List
  • Choosing the Right Diet – Paleo, Vegan, Pescatarian, Mediterranean?
  • Family Recipe: Croatian Povitica
  • Five Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Date Balls

Instagram

Follow @freelymi

We built a snowman at someone else’s house today We built a snowman at someone else’s house today...while they weren’t home. Thanks @l_l_aurent & @dbottomz402 ⛄️
That one time we went to Hawaii and Ben reminded m That one time we went to Hawaii and Ben reminded me to work on my posture. 👀🤷🏻‍♀️
You make it easy. ❤️ You make it easy. ❤️
🍄 +🥥 + ☕️ = 💪🏽 How many superfood 🍄 +🥥 + ☕️ = 💪🏽

How many superfoods are in your coffee?? Chaga, Lion’s Mane, Collagen & MCT oil in my creamer. Mushrooms are DENSE with vitamins and minerals that promote mental health & immunity. ✌🏽#holisticnutritionist
Isn’t she beautiful?! I still can’t believe we Isn’t she beautiful?! I still can’t believe we have our very own sailboat! 😆 If you know us personally, you’d guess this was Ben’s idea but, believe it or not, it was mine! #ProudMoment ⛵️ This landlocked chick, pruned for practicality, found spiritual freedom and a man cut from the opposite cloth in 2010. And now SHE is talking him into new adventures! Click the link in my profile to watch the video of our first days on our Hunter 35.
This reminds me of an Alanis Morissette song, “I This reminds me of an Alanis Morissette song, “Isn’t it ironic? Like finding yourself white knuckling in FRONT of a plow after the most snow in 15 years?” 😐
It’s sunny and 50° ☀️ There’s a 99% chanc It’s sunny and 50° ☀️ There’s a 99% chance of finding a Nebraskan wearing a tank top or flip-flops outside right now.
Having an “off” day, week, or season? Sometime Having an “off” day, week, or season? Sometimes change, confusion, or disappointment can feel overwhelming & it’s easy to get caught up with what we see or feel. Lately when I feel confused or irritated by something I don’t understand, I try to remind myself that I don’t have a bird’s-eye-view of life. Faith is hope in the things we can not see. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, and he knows how this puzzle goes together. “All things work together for my good” — Something might look or feel off right now, but it’s just one piece of a greater puzzle. I can try to force it to work how I want, but it’ll never look quite right & it’ll throw the rest of the puzzle off. My practice is to take a deep breath and say, “Everything is going to be fine.” I remember times when I felt off in the past and how they worked out. This “puzzle piece” might look like a mistake but it just needs a few others to connect before it fits perfectly.
Evidence ⛵️We bought a sailboat! Click the lin Evidence ⛵️We bought a sailboat! Click the link in my bio to watch my video from the first days on our Hunter 35.
Look! I made a rainbow 🌈 Clem wasn’t impresse Look! I made a rainbow 🌈 Clem wasn’t impressed.

topics

  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Wellness
  • Faith

Subscribe

Navigate

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Photography
  • Contact
  •  

Copyright © 2021 Freely Mí · Theme by 17th Avenue