jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Like many other popular tourist destinations, Venice is having a tourist problem. The local population has declined to just 50,000, and tourists are outnumbering the locals. In addition, the huge number of visitors is causing excess wear and tear on the city. Venice has instituted a daily charge for visitors to help pay for the damage being done. This is turning out to be a problem all over the world, including our National Parks. People are accidentally and intentionally damaging ancient historic sites. A couple of women carved something into a wall of the Coliseum in Rome. Posting pictures of themselves online wasn't a smart move. Every popular tourist site is experiencing accidental and intentional damage from tourists. Stonehenge has been enclosed by a fence because of damage caused by tourists. I'm glad I was able to visit before the fence went up.

On the plus side, tourism adds billions of dollars to local economies, and it allows people to see and appreciate famous sites.

Rich2236 Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire

How right you are, Jerry, there is a BIG problem of people trying to leave their "mark" when they go on vacation. I have been to the U.K. (18) days. I have been to Italy, (18) days, I have been to Israel, (18) days. The only mark I left in each country, was the photographs I took. I respected where I was and treated the people of their country with respect. I was the visitor, not the other way around.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I hate seeing graffiti sprayed on so many surfaces, but carving is worse.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I think your avatar may need a parrot sitting on your shoulder...

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Yes, there is a real problem with people becoming more interested in themselves than in history. Below is a photo of a famous site in upstate South Carolina.

Here is an article copied from "The State" newspaper. Also a passage from the Bible which pretty well nails the problem.

The tradition of vandalizing Bald Rock Heritage Preserve in Upstate South Carolina has gone on for so long that many people know it by the names “Graffiti Rock” and “Painted Rock.” Multiple generations have grown up spray-painting the 450 million-year-old rock face, along with using it for parties, communal bonfires, and impromptu fireworks displays. Retirees Susan and John Jordan say they can see the fires at night from their nearby home, and they note nothing about the activity is legal or safe.
On Nov. 6, the Jordans and 15 volunteers will make their second trip to the state-owned site to scrape away the layers of graffiti with pressure washers. The famously bare ridge top is about 25 miles northwest of Greenville, South Carolina. “For the longest time, we looked at Bald Rock from our home and I wondered why nothing was ever done to curtail the graffiti, which became more garish and obscene during the pandemic,” Susan Jordan told McClatchy News.

2 Timothy 3:2-5 The Passion Translation (TPT)People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money. They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right. They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly.

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NMGal Loc: NE NM

Why I prefer not to hang around people.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, and we see the same thing around here. Idiots!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Remember in Spaceballs, John Candy was half man and half dog. He was his own best friend.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Saw a name carved an dated on a temple during a recent trip to Egypt. The date was in 1858. An eye opener for me.

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Too true. It makes me glad I'm not a tourist. When I visit anywhere, I try to take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but dollars (often seems like far too many).

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Your post reminds me of my two visits to Europe, compliments of the US Departrment of the Navy, in the early 1970s. Before we departed the ship for shore liberty, the Captain reminded the entire crew and embark troops that we were actually going ashore as unofficial ambassadors of our country. He recommended that we conduct ourselves as such and be respectful of the coutry we were visiting. To simplify his words here, I recall him telling us to NOT be "Ugly Americans." You are providing great advice and suggestion on conduct whenever travelling to any country other than one's own.

DougS Loc: Central Arkansas

Take nothing but photos, and memories... and leave no trash!

doxphoto Loc: Allentown, PA

The rule is: take only photos, leave only footprints !

apacs1 Loc: Lansdale, PA

Hey guys. In case you didn't know - People are stupid, and according to the comedian Ron White - "You can't fix stupid".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

One thing I like about UHH is being able to see the "nothing but photos" of "far away places with strange sounding names" that members post here. Another advantage of being old is having a memory that reaches way back. 😊

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmGot9zFNoY