Tourists—those adventurous souls who leave their hometowns to explore the world, satisfy their curiosity, broaden their horizons, and immerse themselves in new experiences—are often met with mixed feelings. For many locals, they are seen as a necessary inconvenience: a source of both economic vitality and congestion.
Growing up along the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, I heard plenty of ambivalence about visitors. Tourists were likened to an iron lung—both constricting our town and simultaneously sustaining its economy. Now, living in another World Heritage Site, the historic city of Bath, I hear the same sentiments.
An anonymous Bathonian recently shared with The Express, “The tourists are a pain. They’re slow walkers, sometimes rude, and they crowd our city center. But they’re also the reason we enjoy such a high quality of life here. I run a restaurant, and my partner works in currency exchange—both of our livelihoods depend on them.”
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This ambivalence feels universal. As U2 once sang, it seems we “can’t live with or without” tourists. Concerns are frequently raised about the impact of short-term rentals, like Airbnb, on housing availability, and the disruption caused by stag and hen parties. These issues echo in everyday conversations throughout the city.
However, it’s worth remembering that most people are tourists at some point. According to a 2023 Houses of Parliament research briefing, UK domestic tourists spent an impressive £31.3 billion on overnight stays—the same amount as international visitors. Meanwhile, Brits made 86.2 million trips abroad last year, often spending longer and more leisurely holidays overseas.
The irony is that many who complain about tourists are themselves travelers when given the chance. While some may never stray far from home, the majority of us enjoy exploring new places. Yet, when others do the same in our hometowns, it can feel intrusive.
Furthermore, if you weren’t born in Bath, you likely moved here—perhaps after visiting as a tourist to see if this city felt like home. In that sense, we’re all tourists at some point, drawn to new places by curiosity and the desire for connection.
Of course, Bath’s tourism does have downsides. The housing crisis is real, and short-term lets can exacerbate the shortage by taking properties off the long-term market. I’ve reported on individuals who struggled to buy homes amid competition from investors seeking holiday rentals.
While I encourage visitors to consider hotels over Airbnb, since hotels use less residential space and often represent better value, I don’t blame tourists for the housing shortage. The core issue is an unregulated, profit-driven housing market. The upcoming Renters’ Reform Bill brings hope for much-needed change.
Ultimately, I embrace tourism. I appreciate visitors who choose to experience my city, many of whom are kind, polite, and genuinely eager to learn about the local culture. Tourism, in its purest form, is a beautiful human impulse: a desire to explore, understand, and connect.
So next time you find yourself frustrated with tourists in your town, remember—tourism is a shared experience that enriches both visitors and locals alike.