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As the world reawakens, international tourism has returned with renewed vitality, with many destinations welcoming more visitors than before the pandemic, according to UNWTO World Tourism (2025). Among the regions welcoming this renewal, Europe continues to inspire with its enduring allure, seeing a 2% increase in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 (UNWTO, 2025).
Yet, an urgent challenge remains. The increase in visitor numbers is putting pressure on destinations, highlighting the fine line between celebration and conservation. This phenomenon, known as overtourism, has many definitions. According to the UNWTO's ‘Overtourism’? – Understanding and Managing Urban Tourism Growth beyond Perceptions (2018) report developed in collaboration with some universities, overtourism is defined as:
“the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences perceived quality of life of citizens and/or quality of visitors experiences in a negative way”
From Venice doubling entry fees for last minute visitors, to Sardinia requiring app bookings for popular beaches, and Hallstatt calling for peace from overwhelming crowds, Europe’s beloved destinations are taking steps to reclaim their beauty, calm, and authenticity. These measures reflect a wider challenge, inviting us to rethink the importance of respecting places and communities and, avoiding overcrowding.
At Localrydes, we believe that for discerning travelers and forward thinking providers alike, informed choices are also the key. One issue that requires attention in the conversation around overtourism is mobility. How we move may define where we arrive, and for us, it means to reimagine how we visit and where else we can go.
To move differently is to embrace the unseen, because some places breathe, holding the magic, the culture, and the connection within. Imagine trading the crowded streets of Venice for the quiet elegance of:
1. Aveiro, Portugal
Venice’s charm with a seaside grace. Often known as the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is a city in the central region of Portugal that features colorful canals where traditional moliceiro boats sail.
2. Leiden, Netherlands
Venice’s tranquility in a Dutch embrace. Leiden, in the western Netherlands, offers peaceful canals and historic charm, a calm, Dutch alternative to Venice.
Or stepping beyond Hallstatt’s heavily photographed waterfront to the beauty of:
1. Brienz, Switzerland
Wooden chalets nestled beside turquoise dreams. A small Swiss village on Lake Brienz, in the west of Switzerland, with traditional wooden chalets, turquoise waters and mountain views.
2. Ribčev Laz (Lake Bohinj), Slovenia
Slovenia’s untamed answer to alpine serenity. A lakeside village where wild mountains, mirror-like waters, and timeless stone bridges create a quietly majestic escape.
3. Gmunden, Austria
Lakeside grace steeped in Austrian tradition. Nestled along Lake Traunsee, in Upper Austria, Gmunden blends timeless charm with stunning panoramic mountain views.
In shared journeys, we find balance. Thoughtfully coordinated group transport offers a chance to connect and engage with travelers and local cultures on a deeper level. By choosing off-peak months, exploring new itineraries, or arriving through less traveled city entry points with group transports, travelers can experience destinations in a more authentic and meaningful way. With Localrydes’ group transportation and charter bus services, these journeys unfold with comfort and consciousness.
