Beware of Overtourism

Unfortunately, the “hidden gem” destination you discovered on social media is probably crowded with tourists waiting to capture the same photo in front of the exact background. Overtourism doesn’t just lead to overcrowding that makes the destination less enjoyable for locals and tourists; it also can result in increased cost of living for residents and leads to more litter and waste.² This year, consider taking your next vacation during the offseason to avoid the crowds or consider destinations less traveled.

Using AI to Plan Your Trip

More people are using tools like ChatGPT to help plan their trips. A recent survey found that 40% of travelers have already used AI-based tools to plan their trips and another 62% plan to use them in the future.³  These tools can help personalize your itineraries based on your budget and interests, and they can even help you find the best deals. While many are still skeptical about AI tools, there is no doubt that using some AI help could save some time and energy.

Factor in New Tourism Fees Before Picking your Next Destination

In an effort to protect some of the most beautiful—and vulnerable—environments, more destinations, such as Bali and Greece, are implementing climate-focused tourism fees. In 2025, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to introduce a tourism tax, which adds an additional 0.75% on top of existing taxes on accommodations.⁴

Plan Ahead for the Unexpected

You can plan the perfect itinerary, but how do you prepare for the unexpected? As airlines try to keep up with the demands of travelers, flight cancellations and delays are something we cannot control. Whether you are navigating crowds in popular destinations, dealing with unexpected weather disruptions, or traveling off the beaten path, Travel insurance is more important than ever. And, if you are traveling internationally, Travel Medical insurance can ensure your covered while you are abroad.

¹World Tourism Barometer. UN Tourism. www.untourism.int/un-tourism-world-tourism-barometer-data, Retrieved September 26, 2025.

²OverTourism: What is it and how do we address it? Responsible Tourism. responsibletourismpartnership.org/overtourism, Retrieved September 26, 2025.

³When machine meets wanderlust: The role AI plays in tourism. Kantar. www.kantar.com/inspiration/research-services/the-role-ai-plays-in-tourism-pf, February 6, 2025.

⁴Why these new tourist taxes may be a good thing. BBC. www.bbc.com/travel/article/20250801-why-these-new-tourist-taxes-may-be-a-good-thing, August 4, 2025.