Image courtesty of www.telegraph.co.uk

One of the main reasons people travel is to engage in different cultures and experience foreign traditions and pastimes, such experiences are difficult to have when so many travel destinations are overrun with tourists.

It is becoming increasingly harder to find places that have not yet been tainted by tourists because international travel is progressively more accessible. Flight prices are decreasing and prosperity is rising, yet the number of beloved destinations basically remains the same. Another major cause of over tourism is the rapid growth of global middle class.

In many areas, the number of visitors trumps the local population. According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, the number of tourists has risen from 674 million in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2016, and is predicted to increase to 1.8 billion by 2026.

Over tourism is becoming such an issue that locals are starting to protest:

• Amsterdam: mayor has prohibited the opening of any new souvenir stores or fast-food restaurants
• Barcelona: government ban on new vacation homes and hotels
• Venice: protestors block cruise ships from entering the lagoon to dock
• Santorini: limiting number of cruise visitors to 8,000 per day

That only covers a few; attractions such as Mount Everest and Machu Picchu are setting limits on the number of visitors and requiring them to be accompanied by a recognized guide. Proposals are starting to be put into place to limit tourists through a reservation system at Zion National Park. Anti-tourism marches are taking place across Europe.

Putting a cap on tourism is an extreme measure and often seen as an absolute last resort for destinations who don’t see any other choice. Barcelona was put in a virtual state of emergency as it was overrun with 10 million travelers by day and 8 million overnight guests in 2016. The repercussion from over tourism threatens to limit growth along the entire spectrum, from restaurants and hotels to airplane manufacturers. The crowds in popular destinations have become so large that they hinder the way of life for locals and ruin the entire tourism experience.

In an article for The Guardian, Taleb Rifai, secretary general for UNWTO, discussed his take on the rapid rise in tourism: “It should not be given up for the sake of mismanagement. Ensuring that tourism is an enriching experience for visitors and hosts alike demands strong, sustainable tourism policies, practices and the engagement of national as well as local governments and administrations, private sector companies, local communities and tourists themselves”.

While there are countless popular tourist attractions that people rave about, there are just as many hidden gems that are completely under the radar. Some of the world’s most beautiful and interesting places are the ones you don’t always hear about.

Business Insider put together a list of unknown places to visit, and I chose my favorites:

1. Hinatuan River Island of Mindanao, Phillipines
2. “Crooked Forest” Western Poland
3. Jiuzhaigou Valley Sichuan, China
4. Hot Springs of Rotorua New Zealand
5. Lofoten Islands Norway
6. Hitachi Seaside Park Ibaraki, Japan
7. Pangong Tso Lake India and Tibet
8. Rangiroa French Polynesia
9. Namaqualand Namibia and South Africa
10. Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve Wulingyuan, China
11. Jericoacoara Beach Brazil
12. Capuchin Crypt Rome, Italy
13. “The Door to Hell” Derweze, Turkmenistan
14. Saint Pierre et Miquelon Canada
15. Salina Turda Transylvania, Romania

Instead of going to the places friends and family expect you to go, venture out of your comfort zone and into the amazing unknown. After all, isn’t that what travel is all about? Keep your adventures protected with Travelers Ally, and watch us for more hidden gems to explore.