James, your last paragraphs should have been the first in your article. Tourists have impacted travel in many bad ways. Disrespect for destinations, service providers, and locals, not to mention the destruction of National Parks. Fees and permits help to regulate traffic and reduce the impact of tourists. How else would you do it? While many posted signs encourage positive visitor behavior, it is difficult to make people do the right thing. Some people think the rules don't apply to them.
I appreciate that you are raising awareness. But I don't hear you proposing a solution that is different than what is in place.
Julie, there's no doubt that plenty of tourists are self-centered assholes who care nothing about anyone else. I've observed this more and more over the last few years, and I've written about it several times, including this: https://www.roadlifeadventure.com/p/hotel-etiquette-for-guests.
You won't believe how I've had to call security or the police, boldly address hateful and disrespectful guests doing horrible things to workers or places they visit, or simply grab my pistol because of dangerous threats. It's not a lot, but enough! And if I had my way, there's a chance I'd be on the evening news. So YES!!! The last paragraph actually needs a post all to itself.
I don't fault National or State Parks for raising their prices. I don't fault local agencies for implementing fees or permits to help cover expenses and address overtourism. I don't fault local businesses charging more to offset increased rent or other expenses. These things must happen. There is a time and place for that.
However, there are plenty of towns and cities that are now catering to the wealthy class because their lust for profit is more than making vacation accessible to most. Estes Park is one example. I interviewed one of Brownfield's managers about it and her concerns about how their town is changing.
There are also businesses and hotels that price-gouge us without considering the impact, or they don't care. $25 per night to park on top of $250 per night for a room? $10 for a can of domestic beer that costs less than $1.00. Ridiculous!! All the while, not paying their employees more or helping them with the housing crisis. That's pure greed.
Then there are Disney, Hilton, and other major brands whose shareholders and CEO teams make millions of dollars while continually taking hard-earned money from people who will likely end up in debt for that vacation.
As for solutions, that's not my job or for me to decide. That's what all those other people get paid for. But if they think just raising prices and putting up a velvet rope will stop the tourist bullshit, they are dumber than I thought, because I know plenty of rich people who treat others worse than middle Americans or other people.
1. If enough travelers said enough is enough and stopped spending money, maybe that would help convince the tourist industry that it's being unreasonable. Give them the finger or go off the beaten path to support smaller businesses.
2. If enough businesses would kick out the tourist idiots who cause these problems and enforce their corporate policies, that would curb that problem. Empty threats or allowing this behaviour to continue are not good for society.
That said, there's a difference between staying in business or controlling access for the good of the community and plain corporate greed and tourist extortion.
Excellent points #1 and #2. I would love to see you promote those ideas more.
Large corporations do employ many people and provide opportunities for them to have a good life. They are not responsible for how people save or spend their money. That’s a free society.
Have you studied what programs the corporations offer their employees? I worked for
Hilton and other large corporations. I believe in Capitalism.
Thanks, Julie. I've spent the past 5 years trying to bridge that gap and encourage better from all sides, but unfortunately, the only power I have is in my circles or connections, which is great, but not enough.
I am with you on capitalism, but there are corporations that continually abuse their place in business, and it's beginning to run rampant. Not to mention the system continues to favor rich, white, old men. That's another topic, though.
While I have not studied corporate offerings, my conversations with those who work in the hospitality industry at the lower levels are disheartening. Desk workers, maintenance, and especially housekeeping, have very few options, and those in the corporate offices know this. So nothing changes and workers get screwed.
But that is America, right? Most people of status get wealthy off the backs of others. I appreciate the companies that really DO take care of their workers and team members. There are some out there.
One quick thought as I read is that it is not always the shop owners, and certainly not the hourly help behind the counter, that are responsible for excessive prices. Often it is the landlords who price their leases so that no business can survive without those high prices. Many good businesses have simply quit when rents go up, but their replacements are of lower quality.
This may come back to the price/value of land, and that is probably part of the other areas where tourism is becoming more costly, and I would have to think that through a lot more before commenting.
I agree that most small shop owners are not greedy corporate businesses, though some are and will take advantage of tourists simply to make more money. Many are struggling to make ends meet due to landlords, local taxes, and other fees. I feel for those who are doing their best. Additionally, I never blame their staff. They have enough shit to deal with, including low pay and unruly tourists. I've gotten to know many local people in places and heard their stories. It's not good!
When I think of the businesses that piss me off, it's often the big brands like Disney or Hilton, who are raking people over the coals.
Those may be the worst, where there are corporate "masters" who work strictly by the numbers and expect the local people to do whatever it takes to meet them.
Oh, and in some places, much of the staff are young(er) people on J-1 visas. We always like to ask them about their home countries and how much of the USA they hope to visit while here.
I typically love the staff and team members we meet. They are some of the best people and we go out of our way to treat them right. They deal with too much BS. The corporations need to pay them more, but they won't -- while they fatten their own bank accounts.
James, your last paragraphs should have been the first in your article. Tourists have impacted travel in many bad ways. Disrespect for destinations, service providers, and locals, not to mention the destruction of National Parks. Fees and permits help to regulate traffic and reduce the impact of tourists. How else would you do it? While many posted signs encourage positive visitor behavior, it is difficult to make people do the right thing. Some people think the rules don't apply to them.
I appreciate that you are raising awareness. But I don't hear you proposing a solution that is different than what is in place.
Julie, there's no doubt that plenty of tourists are self-centered assholes who care nothing about anyone else. I've observed this more and more over the last few years, and I've written about it several times, including this: https://www.roadlifeadventure.com/p/hotel-etiquette-for-guests.
You won't believe how I've had to call security or the police, boldly address hateful and disrespectful guests doing horrible things to workers or places they visit, or simply grab my pistol because of dangerous threats. It's not a lot, but enough! And if I had my way, there's a chance I'd be on the evening news. So YES!!! The last paragraph actually needs a post all to itself.
I don't fault National or State Parks for raising their prices. I don't fault local agencies for implementing fees or permits to help cover expenses and address overtourism. I don't fault local businesses charging more to offset increased rent or other expenses. These things must happen. There is a time and place for that.
However, there are plenty of towns and cities that are now catering to the wealthy class because their lust for profit is more than making vacation accessible to most. Estes Park is one example. I interviewed one of Brownfield's managers about it and her concerns about how their town is changing.
There are also businesses and hotels that price-gouge us without considering the impact, or they don't care. $25 per night to park on top of $250 per night for a room? $10 for a can of domestic beer that costs less than $1.00. Ridiculous!! All the while, not paying their employees more or helping them with the housing crisis. That's pure greed.
Then there are Disney, Hilton, and other major brands whose shareholders and CEO teams make millions of dollars while continually taking hard-earned money from people who will likely end up in debt for that vacation.
As for solutions, that's not my job or for me to decide. That's what all those other people get paid for. But if they think just raising prices and putting up a velvet rope will stop the tourist bullshit, they are dumber than I thought, because I know plenty of rich people who treat others worse than middle Americans or other people.
1. If enough travelers said enough is enough and stopped spending money, maybe that would help convince the tourist industry that it's being unreasonable. Give them the finger or go off the beaten path to support smaller businesses.
2. If enough businesses would kick out the tourist idiots who cause these problems and enforce their corporate policies, that would curb that problem. Empty threats or allowing this behaviour to continue are not good for society.
That said, there's a difference between staying in business or controlling access for the good of the community and plain corporate greed and tourist extortion.
Excellent points #1 and #2. I would love to see you promote those ideas more.
Large corporations do employ many people and provide opportunities for them to have a good life. They are not responsible for how people save or spend their money. That’s a free society.
Have you studied what programs the corporations offer their employees? I worked for
Hilton and other large corporations. I believe in Capitalism.
You stated your points very eloquently, James.
Thanks, Julie. I've spent the past 5 years trying to bridge that gap and encourage better from all sides, but unfortunately, the only power I have is in my circles or connections, which is great, but not enough.
I am with you on capitalism, but there are corporations that continually abuse their place in business, and it's beginning to run rampant. Not to mention the system continues to favor rich, white, old men. That's another topic, though.
While I have not studied corporate offerings, my conversations with those who work in the hospitality industry at the lower levels are disheartening. Desk workers, maintenance, and especially housekeeping, have very few options, and those in the corporate offices know this. So nothing changes and workers get screwed.
But that is America, right? Most people of status get wealthy off the backs of others. I appreciate the companies that really DO take care of their workers and team members. There are some out there.
I appreciate this discussion, James. Listening on both sides of the issue. Please keep raising awareness.
One quick thought as I read is that it is not always the shop owners, and certainly not the hourly help behind the counter, that are responsible for excessive prices. Often it is the landlords who price their leases so that no business can survive without those high prices. Many good businesses have simply quit when rents go up, but their replacements are of lower quality.
This may come back to the price/value of land, and that is probably part of the other areas where tourism is becoming more costly, and I would have to think that through a lot more before commenting.
Hey Mike!
I agree that most small shop owners are not greedy corporate businesses, though some are and will take advantage of tourists simply to make more money. Many are struggling to make ends meet due to landlords, local taxes, and other fees. I feel for those who are doing their best. Additionally, I never blame their staff. They have enough shit to deal with, including low pay and unruly tourists. I've gotten to know many local people in places and heard their stories. It's not good!
When I think of the businesses that piss me off, it's often the big brands like Disney or Hilton, who are raking people over the coals.
Those may be the worst, where there are corporate "masters" who work strictly by the numbers and expect the local people to do whatever it takes to meet them.
Oh, and in some places, much of the staff are young(er) people on J-1 visas. We always like to ask them about their home countries and how much of the USA they hope to visit while here.
I typically love the staff and team members we meet. They are some of the best people and we go out of our way to treat them right. They deal with too much BS. The corporations need to pay them more, but they won't -- while they fatten their own bank accounts.