Overtourism has sparked a global backlash, with residents from Barcelona to Venice demanding relief from visitor overload. Author Paige McClanahan argues the solution lies not in traveling less overall, but in traveling smarter: spend fewer destinations but stay longer in each.
McClanahan's approach challenges the sprint-through-Europe mentality that dominates modern travel. Instead of hitting ten cities in two weeks, she advocates for deep dives. Staying a week or more in one destination allows travelers to integrate into local rhythms. You shop at neighborhood markets instead of tourist traps. You eat where residents eat. You learn genuine cultural context rather than collecting Instagram shots.
The numbers support her case. Barcelona, Venice, Dubrovnik, and Bali face resident anger over visitor volume. These places absorb millions annually while infrastructure and local wages stagnate. Quick visits exacerbate the problem. Transient tourists consume resources without contributing meaningfully to communities. Hotels and restaurants cater exclusively to visitors, pricing out locals.
McClanahan's thesis transforms how travelers spend money too. A seven-day stay in one city means longer accommodation contracts, repeat restaurant visits, and genuine local experiences. You rent apartments in residential neighborhoods rather than booking five different hotels. You take cooking classes. You volunteer. You become, briefly, part of the place rather than a consumer passing through.
This shift requires rethinking vacation planning. Instead of maximizing destinations, maximize depth. A two-week trip could explore Barcelona thoroughly, Lisbon deeply, and one smaller Portuguese village meaningfully. Skip Milan. Skip Florence's Uffizi Gallery queues. Spend those days understanding the places you choose.
The approach addresses resident frustration while improving traveler experience. You return home with genuine relationships, language skills, and memories beyond landmarks. Hotels and local businesses benefit from sustained spending. Residents encounter visitors who actually care about