Seoul, South Korea
CNN
—
As the difficulty of overtourism sweeps cities and countries world wide, authorities in South Korea have introduced stricter controls and measures to guard a historic conventional village district in downtown Seoul from throngs of vacationers, who’ve flooded its streets and precipitated friction with native residents over time.
Recognized for its picturesque and well-preserved conventional Korean homes referred to as “hanok,” Bukchon Hanok Village is one among Seoul’s hottest vacationer sizzling spots – attracting 1000’s of holiday makers each day.
However vacationers enormously outnumber residents and complaints about noise, littering and privateness points within the neighborhood have escalated over time.
Situated within the Jongno district in downtown Seoul, Bukchon sits close to different cultural landmarks just like the Jongmyo royal ancestral shrine and the grand Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces.
In a bid to ease tensions and management crowds, district officers will begin to prohibit vacationer entry to the favored village from as early as October this yr.
It is going to be designated the nation’s first-ever “particular administration space” below South Korea’s Tourism Promotion Act.
Strict curfews for non-residents will probably be strengthened every day between 5 p.m. to 10 a.m. Chartered buses carrying vacationers will probably be restricted in a number of sections. The goal is to cut back visitors and make Bukchon “foot-centered,” officers stated.
Three color-coded zones – crimson, orange and yellow – will even be designated to permit native authorities to manage and monitor crowds in essentially the most densely populated areas. Fines will even be imposed on violators, officers stated.
Following public complaints, indicators in 4 languages warning vacationers about noise ranges had been put in in 2018.
The realm as soon as served as residential quarters for high-ranking authorities and the Aristocracy in the course of the period of the Joseon kings, who dominated Korea from the 1300s till 1910. In the present day, the world is house to round 6,000 residents in addition to companies like inns, craft shops and cafes – with a number of outstanding photograph spots.
Nevertheless, a few of these residing and dealing within the space have dismissed the brand new measures as being “empty speak.”
Cafe proprietor Lee Youn-hee informed CNN that vacationers often depart after sundown anyway, as they’re principally there to take photographs.
“Within the winter, guests are passed by 5 p.m. and through summer season perhaps by 6 p.m. as a result of the times are longer,” Lee stated. “This gained’t make a giant distinction.”
However Seoul isn’t alone. Many world cities are struggling to discover a stability between much-needed tourism income and sustaining their enchantment to residents.
Vacationers visiting Barcelona this week had been sprayed with water by protesters marching by means of common areas to exhibit in opposition to mass tourism within the metropolis. Italy’s lagoon metropolis of Venice launched a trial fee in April to restrict the variety of day trippers.
Overtourism has lengthy been an issue in Japan, with the scenario deteriorating quickly for the reason that nation reopened post-pandemic. The slopes of Mount Fuji have seen increasing human traffic jams, foothills affected by rubbish in addition to dangerous vacationer habits.
Out-of-control vacationers have been particularly problematic in Kyoto, one among Japan’s hottest vacationer cities, famed for its iconic Gion geisha district. Stories of “geisha paparazzi” fueled public anger and have prompted metropolis officers to take motion.
Again in Seoul, about 6.6 million home and abroad vacationers are believed to have visited Bukchon in 2023, in response to authorities information.
“I feel it’s necessary that vacationers be respectful to these residing right here,” Sindere Schoultz, a vacationer from Sweden, informed CNN. “We wish to come right here and have time however we don’t wish to step on anyone’s toes and be disrespectful.”
One other Swedish vacationer, Emma Hägg, stated she understood the explanations behind the ban. “I don’t thoughts it,” she stated. “I utterly perceive why and it’s good that they nonetheless need us.”