Overtourism has sparked genuine anger in popular destinations worldwide, with Barcelona residents and others openly protesting against visitor floods. Author Paige McClanahan proposes a counterintuitive solution: travel less frequently but stay much longer in each place.
The strategy challenges the binge-tourism model that dominates modern travel. Rather than hitting ten cities in two weeks, McClanahan advocates for deep immersion. Spend two weeks in one location. Learn the neighborhood rhythms. Eat where locals eat. Take language lessons. This approach transforms tourists into temporary residents rather than transient consumers.
The numbers support her argument. Places like Venice, Barcelona, and Dubrovnik have reached breaking points. Local residents face skyrocketing rents, overcrowded public transport, and cultural erosion as entire neighborhoods transform into souvenir shops and Airbnb apartments. The word "tourist" itself carries negative weight, implying superficiality and thoughtlessness.
McClanahan's framework addresses both frustration and sustainability. When visitors stay longer, they spend money across neighborhoods rather than concentrating spending in tourist districts. They use local services. They contribute to community life rather than extracting experiences for Instagram posts. A three-week stay in Rome generates different economic benefits than a three-day blitz.
This requires travelers to rethink priorities. Budget airlines and cheap accommodation made frequent, short trips possible. Extended stays demand different bookings, time off work, and comfort with the mundane aspects of place. It means sitting in parks for hours. It means experiencing boredom and authenticity equally.
The approach won't solve overtourism alone. But it offers a behavioral shift travelers can control immediately. Choose one destination. Book a month. Rent an apartment with a kitchen. Visit the market. Return to the same cafe. Learn names. The irony emerges clearly: the best way to be a good tourist