The Pan-American Journey | Bad Tourism

Can we escape Bad Tourism? A long one in the planning, the Pan-American Journey across The Americas has officially started and I am checking in from South Carolina, lowcountry to share some of the things that feel unreal.

But they are. Real.

Earlier last week, walking around Washington DC ahead of a state visit from a foreign country (King Charles, sorry we missed you!) was surreal, the streets were empty, there was police everywhere and no queue at the museums (Oh Hello, Declaration of Independence!).

The only visitors at Capitol Hill in Washington DC were us and a delightful group of Chinese tourists. I chatted in Chinese of course and they confirmed our sentiment: people are fascinated the All-American way and American people are kind and want to sincerely help you if they can.

 

 

Back on the roads I go on exploring the trails of the Civil War days in Virginia (the Chatham Manor served as its headquarters).

I felt that so much of the history of the United States feels – at times – too romanticized.

In Charleston, South Carolina for example: the use definition of ‘ante-bellum’ instead of saying a pre-war architectural identity is seen all over the mansions.

This is leading the crowds to a “oh-so-pretty!” picture-taking behavior in front of houses that were, in the past, the epicenter of the slave trade.

I think that there is nothing wrong in the ‘tourist attraction’ per sè, but perhaps something in the ‘positioning’.

However the system encourages the Bad Tourism behavior.

The question to ask – at a destination level – may be “what do we want a visitor to feel and do when they are standing in front of this ‘attraction’?”

Bad Tourism behavior is the result not the cause of an issue, what do you think?