How to be a ‘good tourist’
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Most people are surprised when I say I’ve never visited Barcelona – and for good reason. The city is one of the richest in Europe in terms of art, culture, cuisine and sports. It’s home to the Sagrada Família, Camp Nou, Barceloneta Beach and Casa Batlló. A place where you can wander among some of the most distinctive architecture on the planet, before sharing Catalan dishes along with a glass of crisp cava. What’s more, Barcelona is just a short hop from the UK, with a number of budget airlines flying regularly.
However, it has been a destination that I’ve repeatedly put off visiting, and this is certainly – at least in part – because I worry about the impact of overtourism.
Like many towns and cities across Europe (Venice, Amsterdam and Dubrovnik – to name just a few), Barcelona has been a victim of its own beauty. As visitor numbers surge, residents are feeling the strain, with housing becoming scarcer and increasingly unaffordable, souvenir stalls replacing shops selling local produce, and streets choked with crowds.
This week, we reported that Spain has broken tourism records in 2026, with more than 58.1 million arrivals in the first seven months of the year up until the end of July – a 4.6 per cent increase from the same period in 2025. Over the past few years, anti-tourism protests have flared in a number of Spanish regions, with demonstrators bearing banners with slogans like “mass tourism kills the city” and “your holidays, my misery”. In one very memorable incident, disgruntled locals sprayed tourists with water pistols while they were dining at restaurants. So concerned is the city about the impact of tourism that the new commissioner for sustainable tourism has outlined a plan to control visitor numbers with the message “not one tourist more”, putting an end to actively encouraging visitors to Barcelona.
However – and this is where I may need to re-think my aversion to visiting the Catalan capital – many protesters make clear that it’s not tourism per se that they object to; it’s the unchecked, unmanaged surge of visitors that offers little benefit to the local economy. Indeed, tourism is vital to the economy. So, the question becomes: how can you be a “good tourist”? And is it still possible to visit Barcelona responsibly? Last week Katie Mather wrote in Independent Travel about how visitors can best support the economy and provide benefits to communities when visiting the Catalan city, while limiting any negative impact. She shared advice including: stay in accommodation that is officially regulated; choose independent bars and restaurants; learn some Catalan; and ensure you respect local rules and customs.
The other suggestion I would add to Katie’s list is to visit out of season. Not only will you be contributing to the economy at a time when it will be most appreciated, but you’ll be visiting the city when there are far fewer crowds – a benefit to both the traveller and the host destination. Having stubbornly refused to travel to Venice until a few years ago as I was convinced it would be an overcrowded hell-hole, I eventually planned a trip to the city in the middle of winter and it was magical. The mist and rain are the perfect backdrop to the city, and at one point I found myself admiring the twinkly lights of the Christmas tree in St Mark’s Square without another person in sight.
So as the peak season draws to a close and tourists start to thin out, perhaps 2026 will be the year that I plan a city break to Barcelona. In fact, a winter getaway to the Catalan capital sounds really rather appealing.
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Barcelona is just as beautiful in the off-season as during the peak months
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Ryanair warns airfares will increase if soaring oil prices persist
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This small Sicilian town is selling houses for €1
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Four million £2 train tickets available in flash sale
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Fake 10 Downing Street listing set up on Booking.com
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These wellness stays offer saunas and immersive workshops amid some of the UK’s most stunning natural surroundings
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Arielle Domb discovers why Gothenburg is Sweden’s ultimate destination for a gastronomic adventure
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The beautiful Alto Douro Valley is one of the best-kept secrets in the country, says Victoria Harper
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Would overtourism protests put you off visiting a destination?
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After another summer of demonstrations against overtourism in Spain, I want to know if protests have put you off travelling to Europe’s most popular cities and islands. Would they make you holiday elsewhere? Or are you loyal to taking off for tourist hotspots?
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Last week we asked if you’d been saving your travels autumn – did you jet off for a fly-and-flop summer holiday in August, or were you waiting till the leaves change colour to take off for a warmer destination? A resounding 88 per cent of you are holding out until summer is officially over.
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There are plenty of ways to spend more when travelling, but not every upgrade is worth it. Over the years, I’ve become much more selective, choosing little luxuries that genuinely make a trip more comfortable rather than simply adding to the bill.
For me, extra space on a long journey is one of the best investments. Whether it’s premium economy on a long-haul flight or a roomier train seat (price dependent, of course), being able to stretch out can make a huge difference. It’s the kind of upgrade you might question beforehand, but really appreciate several hours into the journey.
A good suitcase is another worthwhile investment, especially if you travel regularly. Antler suitcases are built to last, look sleek and regularly score highly in our luggage reviews. For something more budget-friendly, the M&S travel range is also worth a look. Smooth wheels, a sturdy handle and well-designed compartments may not sound exciting, but you’ll appreciate them when you’re rushing through a station or airport.
A decent travel wallet can make journeys easier too. Keeping your passport, documents, earbuds and other essentials organised saves you from rummaging through your luggage at security. The same goes for a good wash bag – because few things are more annoying than discovering leaked shampoo all over your clothes.
And if you’re going to spend a little more on travel, it’s worth making sure it’s on something you’ll genuinely remember. For inspiration, Lonely Planet’s Dream Trips of the World is packed with bucket-list ideas that could help you find your next adventure.
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Keep booking Nepal holidays
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We are continuing to see tragic scenes coming out of Nepal this week following the devastating flooding that occurred across the provinces of Timure, Rasuwagadhi and Syabrubesi. At present, more than 1,000 deaths have been reported and nearly 4,000 people are still missing (with nearly 600 more dead or missing across the border in Tibet), while entire towns and villages have been destroyed.
Against this backdrop of devastation, it may be tempting to think that the last thing the region needs is visitors, but this week the Nepal government urged foreigners not to cancel their trips. On Tuesday, Nepal’s tourism minister published a video calling on travellers to continue visiting Nepal to support the economy at a critical time. “Our mountain trails and trekking routes are still waiting for you,” Khadakraj Paudel said. “Your coming to Nepal this time does not mean only a holiday. It's a big support to the country fighting this catastrophic tragedy of flash floods.” The tourism minister pointed out that only some areas of Nepal had been affected by the flooding and that airports were still open. Tourism is a key driver of Nepal’s economy, with many communities dependent on the revenue brought in through trekking and adventure travel. It is estimated that the flash floods will result in more than 50bn rupees (£243m) in losses to the tourism sector. “Please do not take Nepal off your travel list if you have already planned a trip,” Mr Paudel added. “Your visit will help sustain our tourism industry. It’ll help our guides, hoteliers and all the workers whose livelihoods depend on tourism.”
In the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster, I would almost always urge travellers to stay away from affected sites so that efforts can be focused on rescue and relief. But if your holiday is not in an affected region and it is safe to do so, I would usually say go ahead with the trip and support the economy as best you can. The Himalayan region is without doubt one of the most beautiful in the world, offering visitors not only remarkable landscapes, but also wonderful hospitality. I strongly believe tourism can, and should, be a force for good. So if you are considering a mountain holiday, please don’t discount Nepal in your future plans.
For anyone who would like to contribute to rescue and relief efforts in Nepal, I would suggest donating to the Intrepid Foundation’s Nepal Flood Appeal. Donations will directly go to the Australian Red Cross to support the response in Nepal through the Global Emergency Fund.
The Intrepid Foundation Nepal Flood Appeal
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Escape to Greece this month for a week-long holiday with Loveholidays. Choose from Zakynthos, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini and more, with stays in well-reviewed four-star hotels. Various September dates available, based on London departures. Find out more.
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Unwind at the highly rated Inglewood Manor, a Grade II-listed Edwardian country house set in 38 acres of landscaped gardens.
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Discover dreamy beaches, shimmering waters and vibrant local cultures with these great value holiday deals.
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I’ve travelled extensively in the States, having lived in America for seven years (from the end of the Obama era, through the first round of Trump and the start of Biden), but it was only this year that I first visited Arkansas. I was most interested to explore this state for its Civil Rights history; it bore witness to some of the most significant moments in the Movement, including the historic desegregation of Central High School in 1957 by African American students who famously became known as the Little Rock Nine. Arkansas is also famously the home state of Bill Clinton and there are plenty of spots where you can learn about the places that raised America’s 42nd president.
But I have to admit that I was initially fairly ambivalent about visiting Hot Springs, thinking it to be little more than a pretty tourist town with some nice walks and a pleasant main street. However, after a few days in the town, which is nestled in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, I found that I became completely enthralled by its history. Not only have the town’s thermal waters been revered for hundreds of years (long before French and Spanish settlers came to the region in the mid-16th century, the waters were used by Native American tribes), but the Hot Springs was once known as a “Sin City of the Bible Belt”. Between the 1930s and 1960s, this unassuming spa town was the vacation spot of choice for notorious gangsters like Al Capone, Charles "Lucky" Luciano and Bugsy Siegel.
Here, America's most dangerous criminals found a sanctuary where they could freely gamble, drink hard liquor, visit brothels and bet on horses. Despite the fact that all of the above were illegal, Hot Springs was largely left alone to allow its visitors to indulge in debauchery. I find the US South deeply fascinating and my visit to Hot Springs was a reminder, once again, of America’s incredibly complex and layered history; one that is often full of contradictions. It was also a reminder not to discount a destination before you’ve scratched below the surface.
Read my full article on the Arkansas spa town where gangsters came to relax
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