Overtourism protests in Barcelona, Venice, and beyond reveal growing local resentment toward visitors. Author Paige McClanahan proposes a straightforward solution: spend less time chasing multiple destinations and more time exploring fewer places deeply.
The strategy challenges the traditional travel playbook of rapid-fire itineraries across Europe or Southeast Asia. Instead of hitting ten cities in two weeks, McClanahan advocates for staying in one location for extended periods. This approach benefits both travelers and communities. Visitors develop genuine connections with locals, understand cultural nuances, and support businesses consistently rather than extracting tourist dollars through fleeting visits. Communities avoid the strain of constant turnover in accommodation, dining, and attractions.
Cities worldwide face the consequences of mass tourism. Barcelona residents have protested aggressively against visitor overload, with some demonstrations specifically targeting Airbnb and short-term rentals that displace long-term housing. Venice restricts daily visitor numbers. Amsterdam and Lisbon grapple with similar pressures as Instagram-driven tourism floods their streets.
McClanahan's thesis aligns with broader travel trends. Some luxury operators now emphasize extended stays and slower travel. A two-week immersion in a single neighborhood, studying local language, eating at neighborhood restaurants, and participating in community life yields richer experiences than postcards from seven countries.
This approach requires patience and shifts traveler expectations. Budget travelers often maximize destinations per dollar, while luxury travelers have practiced deep exploration for decades. The middle market now trends toward McClanahan's model. boutique hotel brands like Slow Hotels and operators focusing on "conscious travel" market extended stays as premium experiences.
For travelers planning next trips, this means reconsidering ambitions. Choose Barcelona or Barcelona and its surrounding regions instead of Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, and Granada. Spend three weeks in Kyoto rather than rushing through Tokyo, Kyoto, and