Sidestep overtourism by visiting these 10 countries that are welcoming tourists with open arms.
We've all been there. And wished we hadn't been. Standing elbow to elbow with our fellow travellers, breathing in"eau de tourist", seething at selfie-sticks protruding from the sea of heads like periscopes and wishing, for the love of god, that everyone else had just stayed home and left Angkor Wat, the Eiffel Tower or Macchu Picchu in peace.
And it's not just about us. By putting what's been called an"invisible burden" on the places we visit, overtourism is the antithesis of responsible tourism, which aims to make destinations better to live in as well as to visit. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Fairfax Media's terms and conditions and privacy policy.
In January, the World Tourism Organisation itself even took action, launching a new Association for Culture and Heritage to protect unique cultures and historical sites threatened by overtourism, promote ethical tourism and encourage respect for host communities particularly those thrust into the spotlight by our quest for more"authentic" experiences.
Whatever the reason, following are 10 unsung destinations likely to benefit from your tourist dollars – and where you'll be assured of a warm reception. ESSENTIALS Experience Jordan runs nine-day Dana to Petra treks on part of the new Jordan Trail, from $US1695. See experiencejordan.comWHY THEY WANT YOU Nepal is still rebuilding after the devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake in April 2015. More than 5000 people died and hundreds of thousands were left homeless, particularly in Kathmandu and the Langtang Valley, north of the capital.
ESSENTIALS World Expeditions' new Self-guided Everest Treks offer the experience of walking at your own pace, staying at exclusive eco-camps en route, from $1740. See worldexpeditions.comWHY THEY WANT YOU Indonesia is one of the most undertouristed countries in the world relative to its population, according to Intrepid's 2018 Adventure Travel Index.
ESSENTIALS Southern Sea Ventures runs 10-day liveaboard sea kayaking and dive trips in Raja Ampat, from $6800. See southernseaventures.comWHY THEY WANT YOU Tourism slowed to a trickle for seven years after the Arab Spring, particularly when Australian journalist Peter Greste was imprisoned in 2014-15.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO Colombia is an intoxicating blend of Caribbean and South American culture with golden beaches, Amazonian rainforests, lush coffee plantations, historic colonial towns, grasslands dubbed the Serengeti of South America and cosmopolitan cities – such as Cartagena, a colourful walled town once home to pirates, and lively Bogota, the capital, which was the first city in the world to close its streets to cars on Sundays, in 1974.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO There's more to PNG than the Kokoda Track, including: islands inhabited by some of the friendliest people in the Pacific, surf camps on New Ireland , dive resorts in Milne Bay near Alotau , war history and active volcanoes around Rabaul and events that bring together people who speak more than 800 distinct languages, such as the Sepik River Crocodile and Arts Festival. Port Moresby also has a new Hilton Hotel, Harbourside dining precinct and Ela Beach revamp.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO The multicultural capital Yangon, formerly Rangoon, is jam-packed with pagodas, synagogues, mosques, cathedrals and British colonial hotels such as The Strand. See the floating gardens and stilt houses on Inle Lake. Drift over the temples of Bagan in a hot-air balloon. Myanmar's remote Mergui Archipelago offers new experiences such as sea kayaking trips and cruising on a solar-powered yacht .
TREAD CAREFULLY Avoid all-inclusive resorts on the over-developed Aegean and Mediterranean coasts in favour of more sustainable lodgings that benefit communities.Ethiopia: Africa's success story. Photo: World Expeditions TREAD CAREFULLY Ethiopia has some incredibly photogenic tribes, such as those in the remote Omo valley who wear lip plates, but always ask first and be respectful when taking photos.
REDUCE WASTE Be conscious of the rubbish you leave behind by packing a reusable water bottle, coffee cup and shopping bag, perhaps even stainless steel food containers and lightweight bamboo straws.
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