Overtourism Vs. Responsible Tourism

Overtourism: too many tourists.

We’ve all traveled somewhere, most likely to a popular destination or a tourist attraction, and thought it’s way too crowded. Or maybe you live somewhere where the traffic and herds of tourists come through seasonally—and it can really put a damper on your daily life. While this level of tourism can be very helpful to the local economy, there comes a point where it is harmful to the physical destination.

Overtourism also takes away from the quality of the experience you get when visiting a specific destination. Trying to lure more and more people to a specific location leads to quantity, but not quality. Maybe people are spending money and stimulating the economy, but chances are they aren’t enjoying themselves in the process.

As a result, responsible tourism is encouraged when possible. Visiting low-tourist destinations is a good way to do your part to thin out the crowds, while also spending money in places that don’t get the crazy influx of money that places like Orlando and Las Vegas do on a regular basis.

Not to mention, there is more to get out of responsible tourism. You can discover hidden gems, see nature the way it’s meant to be seen, and have some truly indescribable and unique experiences!

Timeshares in Low-Tourist Destinations

Responsible tourism can mean more than just eco-friendly vacationing (though, that is a fabulous way to be ecologically responsible). If you want to focus on responsible tourism, there are plenty of less visited destinations where you can enjoy a luxury timeshare vacation. These destinations have just as much appeal as the big-name cities—minus the crowds!

Idaho

The state of 33 million annual visitors. Sound like a big number? For a comparison, Florida gets 98 million visitors annually.

What you may not know, is that Idaho has similar landscapes to the state of California. The Sawtooth Mountains, Redfish Lake, and wild whitewaters can all be found in this gorgeous state. Outdoor enthusiasts will love hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and much more. There are also hip towns such as Boise, which is home to plenty of restaurants, shops, and breweries.

One other hidden gem of Idaho is Coeur d’Alene. This waterside oasis is ideal for water sports in a serene atmosphere. There’s also The Cedars Floating Restaurant and floating green to swing a golf club off of.

When looking to vacation in Idaho, be sure to book the best accommodations at these top resorts:

• Timbers at Island Park Village Resort in Island Park, Idaho
• Stoneridge Resort in Blanchard, Idaho
• Aspen and Aspen Village in Mccall, Idaho

New Mexico

29.8 million people each year visit sunny New Mexico to check out their incredible desert landscapes. Visitors love Ghost Ranch, White Sand National Monument, and Carlsbad Caverns. So if you’re looking to explore cliffs, caves, mountains, and more—New Mexico is the place for you. Skiing in Taos is recommended, where you’ll find great conditions for a fraction of the price of Park City or Aspen. Taos is also home to the Manby Hot Spring and the Taos Pueblo.

Those in search of a city atmosphere should look no further than Sante Fe. With artist galleries, museums, an incredible food scene and shops, you’ll relish in this exciting yet less crowded atmosphere.

Of course, you’ll need fabulous accommodations to match this unique vacation experience. Our favorite New Mexico resorts include:

• Crown Point Condominiums Ruidoso in Ruidoso, New Mexico
• Diamond Resorts Villas de Santa Fe in Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Angel Fire Cabin Share in Angel Fire, New Mexico

Vermont

This smaller New England state gets 13 million annual visitors that love exploring the quaint towns and rugged terrain.

Visiting Vermont during maple sugaring season is always a treat, but you’ll also want to be sure to check out the craft brewing scene, bike trails along Lake Champlain, and the famous Ben and Jerry’s ice cream factory for a sample or five.

Vermont is also home to the best skiing New England has to offer, so you can be sure the slopes and conditions will not disappoint. Resorts in this state give you easy access to skiing and other top attraction. These three resorts are some of the most popular:

• Smugglers’ Notch Resort in Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
• Trapp Family Lodge & Guest Houses in Stowe, Vermont
• Snowdance Vacation Club at Ascutney Mountain Resort in Brownsville, Vermont

These three destinations are mere suggestions of fantastic places to engage in responsible tourism. Dig a little deeper and you can find thousands of undiscovered places across the globe, just waiting for you to visit. When planning your next vacation, give yourself the gift of traveling somewhere truly “different.” You’ll find yourself creating unique memories through exceptional experiences…all while having a happy conscious that you are contributing to responsible tourism.