Tourist Trap Towns

I’m in Tulum, Mexico, and although this is one of the few places I’ve visited that I would define as a tourist town; others being Bali and Lake Atitlán. To be fair, these destinations often have a unique beauty and magic to them, truly. But somewhere along the path of commercialization, that magic fades, and the core erodes. This isn’t a critique of Tulum or the others, but more a reflection on the tragedy of over-tourism.

Tourist towns are often gentrified to the point of humble locals being turned into service workers, a few into business owners, and some into scam artists. But still, most of the control resides in the hands of wealthy foreigners, whom locals grow a subtle or not-so-subtle disdain for as they exchange their culture, traditions, and ownership for wages.

The irony is that I am a tourist, and because of that, it’s clear I have a responsibility to be conscious of my impact. In Tulum, the damage feels near complete. A magic Mayan village has been replaced with commercial spirituality and escapist resorts. It’s overpriced, but more so, it lacks heart, and the original beauty is consumed by a commercial façade, and even that appears to be rotting. But hope for renewal remains. Its indigenous magic resides deeper in the soil and hearts that cannot be corrupted. I wish the best for the locals’ sake.

Would love to hear your thoughts on these reflections.

Take care,

Naser