Tourism is bigger than ever, with international tourists set to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024. A new book, "The New Tourist," talks about balancing tourism's impacts and being a mindful traveler. Whether carving their names on the Coliseum in Rome or haphazardly approaching bears at Yellowstone National Park , tourists frequently make the news for behavior that's, frankly, very stupid.
Well-behaved or not, all tourists can have negative impacts on a destination, from too much traffic and congestion to rising rents and priced-out locals. And yet tourism can also bring economic and cultural benefits to a community — especially when it's done right. Paige McClanahan's new book, "The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel," is all about how tourism impacts the world, from the good to the bad, and how people who travel can be the right kind of tourist.
McClanahan, an American journalist based in France, talked to Business Insider about what it means to be a new tourist, her experience living in a small touristy village in the French Alps, and why people should stop saying they're a "traveler, not a tourist." The conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity. BI: Why do you think your book — and conversations about how to be a better traveler — are important right now? Paige McClanahan: In 2024, we're expected to see 1.
55 billion international tourist arrivals , which is breaking the pre-pandemic record. Tourism is growing. It's growing fas.