The Dolomites are getting overrun and some tourists…
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The Dolomites are getting overrun and some tourists seriously need to learn how to behave
I’m from this area, born and raised. I moved abroad a few years ago, and coming back has been a shock.
Obviously, places like Val Gardena have always had tourists. Although the tourism now feels completely different compared to when I was growing up, and has become much more global, with huge numbers of Americans, Asians and other international visitors. And the sheer volume of people can be overwhelming.
But again, no issue with that. Now, the issue is that I’ve recently seen tourists come here and behave like this is some type of tourist attraction made for them, with zero respect for the place or for the locals.
People crowd buses before they even stop, push to get on instead of letting people off first, block paths when hiking, walk right on top of other people instead of just saying “excuse me,” and overall act like everyone else should move around them.
I’ve also seen foreign tourists smoking and then throwing cigarette butts into the grass. In the Dolomites. How is that acceptable? This is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the world, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and just as locals respect it and protect it, tourists should too.
As another example, today I had a guy walking right behind me, so close I could practically feel his breath, with no consideration for personal space at all. I stopped and let him pass and told him he could have just said excuse me and I would have moved, and he got angry and started arguing with me.
Maybe some of these behaviors are just cultural differences, fine. But if you travel somewhere, I think there should be at least some effort to understand how people behave there and to respect the place you’re visiting. And yes, walking right on top of someone while hiking is considered rude here.
And to clarify, I’m by no means against tourism. The economy here depends on it. Places like Alpe di Siusi and Seceda are breathtaking, and I think everyone should experience them at least once in their life. But respect the mountains, respect nature, respect the culture, and respect the locals. Many tourists do, but many also don’t.
If you’re going to come here and litter, push people around, treat public spaces like they belong to you, and make absolutely no effort to respect the culture or environment, then please don’t come.
#travel
I’m from this area, born and raised. I moved abroad a few years ago, and coming back has been a shock.
Obviously, places like Val Gardena have always had tourists. Although the tourism now feels completely different compared to when I was growing up, and has become much more global, with huge numbers of Americans, Asians and other international visitors. And the sheer volume of people can be overwhelming.
But again, no issue with that. Now, the issue is that I’ve recently seen tourists come here and behave like this is some type of tourist attraction made for them, with zero respect for the place or for the locals.
People crowd buses before they even stop, push to get on instead of letting people off first, block paths when hiking, walk right on top of other people instead of just saying “excuse me,” and overall act like everyone else should move around them.
I’ve also seen foreign tourists smoking and then throwing cigarette butts into the grass. In the Dolomites. How is that acceptable? This is one of the most beautiful natural areas in the world, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and just as locals respect it and protect it, tourists should too.
As another example, today I had a guy walking right behind me, so close I could practically feel his breath, with no consideration for personal space at all. I stopped and let him pass and told him he could have just said excuse me and I would have moved, and he got angry and started arguing with me.
Maybe some of these behaviors are just cultural differences, fine. But if you travel somewhere, I think there should be at least some effort to understand how people behave there and to respect the place you’re visiting. And yes, walking right on top of someone while hiking is considered rude here.
And to clarify, I’m by no means against tourism. The economy here depends on it. Places like Alpe di Siusi and Seceda are breathtaking, and I think everyone should experience them at least once in their life. But respect the mountains, respect nature, respect the culture, and respect the locals. Many tourists do, but many also don’t.
If you’re going to come here and litter, push people around, treat public spaces like they belong to you, and make absolutely no effort to respect the culture or environment, then please don’t come.
#travel
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