November 17, 2024, 6:28 am | Read time: 4 minutes
More and more destinations are suffering from mass tourism. In many places, such as Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Mallorca, residents have even taken to the streets to demonstrate against the ever-increasing flow of tourists. But does this mean that it’s best not to go on vacation at all? No. But perhaps it is time to travel away from the trendy destinations. Many other destinations would still benefit greatly from tourism. TRAVELBOOK presents four countries that are currently actively courting tourists.
Whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, the beaches of Mallorca, or the Trevi Fountain in Rome – many popular travel destinations have one thing in common: crowds of people. In some places, the crowds have become so overwhelming that the locals feel they are being pushed out of their living space and are protesting on the streets. TRAVELBOOK has already reported on protests in Barcelona, the Canary Islands, and Mallorca. However, there are still many beautiful emerging travel destinations around the world that are not affected by mass tourism. Some are even campaigning for more tourists. The BBC has put together some of them. Get inspired for a trip away from the crowds.
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4 emerging travel destinations that are campaigning for more tourists
Greenland
The huge island between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean has a lot to offer travelers. Greenland concentrates on two main forms of tourism. On the one hand, there is a wide range of adventure tourism, from climbing and whale watching to camping on ice. There is something for everyone there who wants a different kind of vacation. On the other hand, there is also year-round tourism, which focuses on observing the Northern Lights.
Due to the extremely low population density, Greenland offers the opportunity to experience complete silence and solitude. In an interview with the BBC, Tanny Por, Head of International Relations at Visit Greenland, emphasizes that the country is primarily concerned with quality rather than quantity when it comes to tourism. To make it easier to get here, Greenland is getting a new international airport this year. “Airports are expensive, so we need to attract a lot of tourists,” says Por. She continues: “But we will do this in a balanced way so as not to overrun the locals”.
Serbia
The country of Serbia is one of the emerging travel destinations that is currently actively courting tourists. The Balkan nation is on a mission to carve a niche for itself with a sustainable tourism strategy. It distinguishes itself by championing cultural and natural experiences over the trappings of mass tourism. While neighboring Croatia, especially Dubrovnik, suffers from overcrowding, Serbia is working with the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism to develop projects that support rural tourism, mountain tourism, and spa and wellness offers in particular, thereby strengthening the local economy.
This change in strategy has made the country more attractive to international travelers, leading to a 20 percent increase in tourism in 2023. On the one hand, the country’s mountains offer everything you need for winter sports. On the other hand, Serbia also has cultural highlights to offer, such as the city of Novi Sad with the Petrovaradin Fortress, which was marked by the Habsburg monarchy.
Morocco
As the country will co-host the FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal in 2030, Morocco is planning to significantly expand its tourism infrastructure. With the aim of doubling the annual number of visitors to 26 million by 2030, new hotels are to be built throughout the country. This dual approach aims to satisfy the tournament’s demands while also securing a long-term uptick in tourism.
In addition to popular destinations, such as Marrakech, which is already benefiting from increased tourism, Morocco wants to attract more tourists to cities such as Casablanca, Agadir, Fez, Rabat, and Tangier. There, new stadiums and tourist attractions are planned. This urban evolution presents travelers with the unique opportunity to explore both Morocco’s cultural gems and its hidden, less-traveled spots.
Georgia
With a major port project in Batumi and a 10-year development plan, Georgia aims to strengthen its tourism industry. The plan includes better infrastructure with international signage to help visitors find their way around. In addition, improvements to public transport and cruise ports will make the country more accessible to all travelers.
Despite its nascent tourism industry, Georgia has swiftly gained popularity. It is captivating visitors with its stunning natural landscapes, rich history, and cultural mosaic. As an emerging tourist nation, some of the things that are taken for granted in Western Europe – such as an extensive paved road network – are not yet in place. Yet, there is optimism that the influx of tourism revenue will propel the advancement of such essential infrastructure projects. Highlights of this diverse country include Soviet architecture and a thriving wine culture.