Opinion | Travel tips to avoid being an ugly American tourist

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Travelers need to do research to get the answer. But if millions of people can search Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms for #travel inspiration, we can also search those sources by context. For example, a search for “overtourism” on Twitter provides some useful information about fragile travel destinations to avoid.

This summer, Preethi Harbuck, a travel blogger, canceled a trip to Maui that was struggling with a surge in Covid, water shortages and a flood of tourists. Her family could have gone on unconcerned; many others did. But listening to the locals on social media convinced them that it would be neither considerate nor responsible.

“The vast majority of Hawaiian voices I could find said, ‘Please don’t come now,'” Ms. Harbuck told me. Her family went to the US Virgin Islands instead.

Approaching travel in this way requires a rethink. Browsing photos of five-star hotels can be more enjoyable than reviewing Friends of the Earth’s annual edition Certificate for cruise ships. But it pays off: if we care about the places we travel to and the people who live there, we can feel more connected to them.

A few simple changes to your trip planning can help with this. Instead of following the crowds, hashtags, or influencers, look for old-fashioned sources of inspiration, from places mentioned in favorite books to memories of childhood vacations. You could even take that dusty globe off your shelf for some ideas.

Wondering what kind of trip you’re looking for – a beach getaway? a culinary adventure? – Then look for a lower density version of the hotspot that you originally had in mind. For example, do without the overheated restaurant scene in Paris and feast in Padua, Italy, or in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Skip Yosemite National Park and try Pinnacles National Park, which is a couple of hours away. Travel in the off-season, stay in small inns and guest houses, and do the best possible exploring the area’s cuisine to keep your money in the hands of the locals.

Of course, it is always important to keep a close eye on the travel restrictions and recommendations of the places you want to visit – especially now because of Covid – and to comply with them in full for your own good and the safety of others.

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