Let’s not love our favorite destinations to death!

Every summer, a peculiar social behavior unfolds in North India. As if on cue come mid-May, car trunks are loaded and families head to the Himalayas, creating long, serpentine queues of vehicles trying to cross the same narrow passes.

Social media buzzes with images of these traffic jams, some lasting four to six hours. Yet the fear of missing out (FOMO) seems to outweigh the dread of being stuck in a car for hours - hungry, tired and hoping nature doesn't call at an inopportune moment.

It's not just happening in India.

Remember when Spain's locals got so fed up with tourists they put up fake jellyfish signs on their beaches? Or when the Philippines had to shut down Boracay Island because it was getting trashed by too many visitors?

Yes, tourism's a weird beast. It's great for the economy but can be a nightmare for local communities and environments.

Global tourism has been transforming for the past two decades, driven by first-time travelers from developing countries. Less than 10% of Indians hold a passport, a figure mirrored in China, which already leads in outbound tourism globally.

These new tourists often flock to popular, accessible and affordable destinations. In contrast, seasoned travelers from developed countries seek novelty in pristine, unexplored locations. This shift is not gradual; outbound travel is increasing by nearly 100 million trips annually, impacting the world's most beloved destinations.

Overtourism presents a complex challenge. It sustains thousands of small businesses, which understandably prefer overtourism to under-tourism, especially post-pandemic.

But can we legitimately restrict access to certain destinations based on nationality or affluence? The travel industry prides itself on inclusivity, yet how can it reconcile this with the need to preserve destinations from the wear and tear of mass tourism?

Now let's talk about the travel industry's role in all this. For too long, the big players – airlines, hotel chains, tour operators – have been pushing the same old hotspots.

It's like they are on autopilot, sending waves of tourists to places that can't handle the load. And sure, developing new destinations takes time, effort and money, but here's the kicker: If we don't start doing it, we'll love our favorite spots to death.

Instead of milking the cash cows, let's invest in the underdogs - those hidden gems that haven't made it to the Instagram hall of fame yet.

Gaurav Bhatnagar - TBO.com

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So what's the solution? It's high time the travel industry stops pointing fingers at governments and tourism boards and starts taking some responsibility. 

We're talking about a shift in mindset here. Instead of milking the cash cows, let's invest in the underdogs - those hidden gems that haven't made it to the Instagram hall of fame yet.

It won't be easy. Promoting new destinations means upfront investments and maybe even some lost revenues in the short term. But think about the long game. We're not just selling trips; we're selling experiences, memories and a chance to explore the world without wrecking it.

Imagine if we could spread tourism out a bit more. Less crowded streets in Venice, more love for a quaint village in Portugal, fewer lines at the Eiffel Tower and more awe at some undiscovered castle in Eastern Europe. That's the kind of travel future we should be aiming for.

In the end, it's all about balance. The travel industry can be a force for good, but only if we're willing to think outside the box and take some risks.

Let's not wait until our favorite destinations are on life support. Let's get ahead of the curve and start exploring (and promoting) the road less traveled.