Jeju Island is recognized for its unique native culture and beautiful natural scenery. However, the conservation of its heritage is now being threatened as Jeju Island has become a popular tourist destination. Yet, Jeju Island is not the only region that is suffering from the tolls of excessive tourism; Hawaii, another renowned touristic spot, has experienced the same troubles. As a student at University of Hawai i at M noa,, Jacilyn Mei Sim Sera, points out, “Hawaii has been taken over. Landscapes that should be preserved are being knocked down to make expensive apartments that only tourists can afford, so it is forcing a lot of residents and locals to leave the state.”
The fundamental reason behind the problems of Jeju Island and Hawaii is overtourism. Overtourism happens when too many people visit one destination, which leaves a negative impact on the natural habitat of the area. Common rebuttals to this statement are that tourists should be free to choose their own tourist destinations and that tourism contributes to the local economy. Of course, not all tourists need to be restricted from traveling; however, socially responsible behavior should be followed.
Tourists are guests. The land belongs to the local people, and tourists must respect the rules of the inhabitants. It is ironic how some tourists flock to see the majestical native culture, yet their actions are the primary cause of its destruction. For example, the amount of plastic waste has been aggravating due to the rapid rise of tourists since 2009, according to The JoongAng. Now the emerald coast and basalt walls of Jeju Island are littered with plastic bottles and cups. In 2018, BBC NEWS even listed Jeju Island as one of the five places that struggles with having too many visitors.
Therefore, in order to prevent the maladies of overtourism, certain precautionary measures should be taken, such as trying to visit other areas that are less popular and delaying vacation schedules until these sites are open for tourists. Besides, the downsides of overtourism are not only limited to the local people; potential decrease in the quality of service and increased possibilities of witnessing a commercially-mingled inauthentic culture may ruin the traveling experience for tourists.
According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), “sustainable tourism in built-up areas must ensure a better urban environment for both residents and tourists, respect cultural diversity and guide observers in interpreting the distinctive building types in different destinations.” Currently, the residents have been highly neglected. Since there hardly exist any authority figures in touristic places who intentionally limit tourist influx, this condition itself emphasizes the responsibility conferred the tourists themselves. Therefore, tourists should abandon their passive stance and adopt a more conscious attitude when traveling. It is not just about one’s own leisure and enjoyment; the position of both locals and tourists should be taken into account.
Locals have valid reasons for rejecting tourists’ unrestricted visits, which exacerbate not only locals’ mental health and economic state but also deteriorates natural and cultural heritages. It is crucial to remember that one’s pleasures are only secondary to one’s fundamental needs. Constantly touring against the inhabitants’ will creates a breach on this relationship. Thus, tourists should deviate from making decisions that contribute to overtourism. Now that the summer vacation is drawing near, ethical tourism should be a top priority when scheduling plans.