No, Wiseman
Sometimes all a trend needs is a name to accelerate it. I (and no doubt others too) have been encouraging people for years to avoid crowded destinations and perhaps go somewhere similar, less expensive, less touristy, and with fewer visitors.
And now there's a label for the destination that reflects this advice: “cheating.”
Of all the unpleasant aspects people want to avoid when traveling, you are the most unpleasant. Or rather, there are many people who like you and like you. In 2010, satellite navigation company TomTom ran a memorable advertising campaign declaring, “You're not stuck in traffic. You are traffic.” Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you visit Venice in August, not only will you be affected by overtourism, you'll also be causing it just as much as the family you're damning for every last bit of free time you can get. Table in Piazza San Marco.
At the risk of making my favorite gimmick a bit more complicated, let me suggest an addition to the canon of gimmicks. Keep in mind that Dupes is an option that overlaps with the original destination, which is so popular, in a significant way that it can be considered an alternative rather than an identical twin. for example:
Original story: Diving in Cabo San Lucas. Trick: Diving in Cabo Pulmo.
I discovered this trick last month and wrote about it here. Most local accommodations in Cabo Pulmo are basic, so most people can enjoy it as a day trip from Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, or Todos Santo.
Original work: Yellowstone National Park. The cheater: El Tatio, Chile.
If you're interested in the geothermal aspect of Yellowstone, El Tatio Geyser Field has equally spectacular exhibits (more than 80 active geysers). The area also has salt flats home to flamingos, night skies so clear that astronomers from around the world have set up shop here, as well as incredible volcanic landscapes. Death Valley National Park doesn't generally suffer from overtourism, but nearby Valle de la Muerte isn't a bad alternative.
Again, the lack of local accommodation means that these attractions can usually be seen on a 90-minute trip from a resort in or near San Pedro de Atacama.
Original: Aspen. Cheater: Quatre Valais of Switzerland.
You won't find lower prices in the Swiss resort towns of St. Moritz or Zermatt, but in the Quatre Valais area, lift tickets and lodging rates are very reasonable, saving you money compared to Colorado resort towns. You'll find 250 miles of slopes to do. It will probably cover airfare. I stayed at La Cambuse, a well-maintained hotel in Les Collons with a great restaurant across the road from the chairlift.
Original work: Overseas travel centered on stomach. Cheater: The outer boroughs of New York City.
Major cities with first-generation immigrants are likely to have great “ethnic” food, and many areas offer regional specialties, but for the breadth of diversity, nothing matches the outer boroughs of New York. Uzbekistan restaurant? Try Brooklyn's Urgut Tandir Express. Craving Tibetan cuisine? Satisfy your appetite at Khampa Kitchen in Queens. For Sri Lanka, check out Lakruwana Restaurant in Staten Island, and for West Africa, head to the Bronx and Papaye Restaurants.
Source: Major Safari Destinations. Scammer: Malawi.
This is a trick to turn back time, so it may not work for everyone. If you want to experience what visiting an African park was like 30 years ago, Malawi will give you a pretty good copy. The air connections aren't the best and true 5-star experiences are rare, but for me the authenticity and friendly people more than make up for it.
Original: Hawaii. Trick: Azores Islands.
East Coasters, you'll still be able to enjoy Hawaii when you get off the plane after a 10+ hour flight. But if you want to reach the Central Ocean volcanic archipelago, which is only 5-1/2 hours away non-stop from New York or Boston, consider this: The Azores Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal. The capital island of Sao Miguel can be quite crowded in the summer, but it makes a great off-season destination, while many of the other islands lack “tourists” at any time of the year.
A few closing thoughts about cheating: If the season doesn't matter to you, a shoulder season or off-season trip can make all the difference in the world in terms of crowds. Venice in the winter is still Venice, but without the crowds.
Of all my tricks, Cabo Pulmo is the exemplary one. By effectively regulating tourism and controlling how many divers can be in the water on any given day, we ensure it remains in excellent condition for years to come.
Overtourism is often portrayed as greedy tourist business owners versus protectionist communities, but in reality both sides would lose some profits if tourism were to disappear entirely. Cheating is always possible, so when an overwhelmed destination refuses to self-regulate, visitors can take matters into their own hands by enjoying some time away from cheating.
