TOURISM numbers this year have finally topped the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 in almost every country and for the world as a whole. And a growing number of communities around the world hate it and want it to stop, or at least be cut back to a reasonable, non-destructive level.

The problem has been building up since the lifting on travel restrictions after the Covid-19 pandemic, with places such as Venice taking steps to try to limit the number of visitors by imposing tourist fees and quotas. Within the past few months, Japan has made the news as well with reactions to excessive numbers of ill-behaved tourists, including installing a screen to block the view of the famous Mount Fuji from the nearby small town (one that is not at all equipped to handle large numbers of visitors) that offers the best views of the mountain.