The pond turned into a latrine is the perfect metaphor for today’s mass tourism. Thoreau’s Walden Pond, which is only half an hour’s drive from Boston, MA, is invaded every year by half a million “incontinent tourists”, more than double those visiting Guyana or Bermuda… and apparently, things get really wild…

More than half of the summer phosphorus budget of Walden Pond may now be attributable to urine released by swimmers, while a footpath to Thoreau’s cabin caused large amounts of soil to wash into the lake.

Despite all this, the site has a high rating on Google Maps and, judging by the reviews, the real issues are elsewhere. According to most visitors, Walden Pond Reservation remains “a true transcendental experience” and “a must visit if you are an American Literature fan”, but there are no showers, parking sucks, the staff is unfriendly, and well “ice mocha has way too much mocha syrup”.

Not exactly what Thoreau had in mind when he wrote “Walden” in 1854…

Remember Catalonia, the land of yellow ribbons? The long-coveted Republic has turned into a “State of Catatonia” and continues to be ruled by an avatar in Madrid. The politicians who sacrificed the Community’s autonomy at the altar of independence are touring Europe and no new government is on the horizon.

Yet things work out, so to speak. The economy is back on track and tourism grows more than in the rest of Spain while pro-independence fervor fades. So you know what, dear Catalans? Pass the wine, fuck the government, I love you…

Not long ago, Panama loved tourists (…and tax evaders, but that’s another story).

Now, the lunatic country is willing to welcome travelers, adventurers, culture seekers, trendsetters, birders, sun chasers, sloth lovers, enthusiasts, and the curious, but not tourists (which, BTW, have tripled in the last ten years).

Ok, the background music has slightly improved, local people look aged, and animals are far more… animals, but do you really notice much difference?

Dutch airline KLM treats tourists who fly to Amsterdam as dumb children… and they are probably right. The following video looks like a spoof trailer for a new Black Mirror episode but is actually meant to introduce the KLM Care Tag.

Far from being a joke, this GPS tracker with a maternal spirit was designed to help solve the problem of overtourism in the Dutch capital by inviting tourists to visit less crowded places, as well as helping them to cross the street. In short, sweet remedies for extreme evils. The Care Tag won’t make Amsterdam more livable, but it’s at least an interesting attempt to start tackling a growing issue.

Usually, an “effective” commercial should convey a positive message by using compelling images of young people having fun, catchy songs, and simplistic slogans. Just like “When Life Calls, Be Ready with American Tourister!”

Fine, but also assuming that to enjoy life you need a colorful trolley, how would American Tourister define that gloomy phase preceding the party? Probably we need some color there too, ’cause it actually takes up most of people’s time.

The travel trends that come out at this time of the year make you want to stay at home and take a sabbatical to visit all the metro stations of the nearest large city or all the country’s “X-branded” pubs. Yet most people keep moving in herds.

The World’s Top Trending Destinations for 2018 – Infographic by Airbnb

The top trending places for 2018 include Gangneung, Edmonton, Indianapolis (Airbnb), Agadir, Victoria Falls, Cluj-Napoca (Skyscanner), Cartagena, Ljubljana, Tbilisi (Booking.com). Amazingly enough, one of the most popular experiences on Airbnb is called “Secret Concert in a Treehouse“… let’s not spread the word.