According to Fodor's Travel's fourth annual "No List," they recommend some destinations, activities, and businesses for travelers to reconsider.
Jeremy Tarr, the Editorial Director of Fodors.com, stated, "Every year, we use the No List to highlight issues that we're thinking about before, during, and long after we travel." They clarify that being featured on the No List is hardly a scarlet letter. It's all about honesty that in covering the destinations, "we'll be doing so responsibly - warts and all."
Travel bible Fodor even cites Bali, the most visited Indonesian island, as a 'no go' destination. Thailand has been shamed for the popular tourist practice of elephant riding as The Tourist Attraction That Needs to Stop.
You might want to reconsider these:
1. Big Sur, California
Big Sur has gained more popularity that led to overtourism thanks to HBO's "Big Little Lies" and tourism efforts from Monterey County. The Bixby Bridge is a popular site, featured in the show.
An illegal campfire in Big Sur ignited the the three-month long Soberanas fire last 2016. Illegal camping presents an environmental risk. There are also big crowds and a lack of bathrooms. Fodor writes that "locals lament in the lack of public bathrooms and the disgusting roadside consequences."
Officials are now working to balance tourism with with the needs of locals.
2. Bali, Indonesia
According to Fodor's Travel, Bali "has suffered the effects of overtourism in the last few years to the point that the government is weighing a tourist tax to help combat some of the more sinister effects on the environment," when it should be a paradise with sparkling blue waters and pristine beaches instead. A "garbage emergency" was implemented in 2017 and banned single-use plastics in December 2018.
A tourist tax of $10 per visitor is being considered to be implemented.
3. Matterhorn, Switzerland
"It's time to reconsider grandiose dreams of conquering nature - it's a fight we ultimately can't win," Fodor's Travel said. In 2019, seven climbers died on Matterhorn, and 11 lost their lives in 2018. A total of 500 alpinists have died on Matterhorn, making it now one of the deadliest peaks in the world. 13,000 tourists got stuck in the nearby town of Zermatt in January 2018. According to Fodor, warmer conditions and thawing permafrost have led to more dangerous conditions on the mountains. They said these effects of climate change have contributed to rock slides and avalanches.
4. Elephant rides
Opportunity for profit almost always comes with corruption and cruelty. Chains, whips and minimal downtime are used on highly intelligent animals. Fodor persuades readers to abstain which would reduce the demand for attractions where elephants are exploited for human amusement. An investigation by Intrepid Travel and World Animal Protection into the conditions of elephants used for tourism and entertainment was used.
Cambodia's Angkor Wat announced that it will completely ban elephant riding for tourists next year.
Are you gonna change your plans now?
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
