A number of recent high-profile incidents have cast a spotlight on the very prominent downside of tourism – vandalism and destruction at national landmarks in the visited countries. Every week a new video comes to light of an ignorant or malicious tourist carving their names into a monument, or defacing a priceless relic.
In Italy, a 19-year-old French tourist was recently apprehended by police for carving her initials into Tuscany’s famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Similarly, during the European summer, three individuals separately etched their names into the walls of Rome’s iconic Colosseum. A month before that, vandals defaced the Aurelian Walls in the capital city, dating back to the 3rd century A.D.
Then there were the less personalized acts of vandalism, such as the tourist who allegedly damaged unique geological landforms in China, or the two who climbed into a fountain in northern Italy and destroyed a roughly R5-million statue. There were also the tourists who harass wild animals at national parks, attack flight attendants and get drunk, naked and violent in Bali.
One particularly high-profile case involved a Saudi man arrested last year for damaging Rome’s picturesque Spanish Steps by driving his rented sports car down them. In 2016, vandals damaged the marble Elephant and Obelisk statue by the Renaissance sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, breaking off part of the elephant’s tusk.
Natural attractions don’t escape either
Known for its picturesque landscapes and tourist destinations, The Czech Republic has also witnessed a surge in tourist-related vandalism but says the vast majority of this is simply down to a rising number of visitors.
Natural wonder areas like Hřensko, Adršpach, and Pustevny are struggling to accommodate an increasing influx of tourists, exceeding their sustainable capacity. Reports of damage to natural attractions have risen by 17 percent in the first half of this year compared to the previous year.
Reports submitted through an app designed just for these purposes, Munipolis highlights that the damage includes much more than graffiti: overturned signs, vandalised benches, and defacement of natural monuments are also common.
Cities like Venice, Amsterdam, and Dubrovnik have faced similar challenges in the past, and like them, the Czech Republic’s official position is that the vast majority of these incidents are related to overtourism, where the number of visitors exceeds sustainable levels. Cecilie Hollberg, director of the Accademia Gallery in Florence, disagrees saying that while some issues are caused by overtourism, many are also caused by a general lack of awareness among some tourists about the fragility and significance of the monuments they are damaging.
“One of the tourists caught carving his name in Rome’s Colosseum claimed he was unaware that the famed structure — which is nearly 2,000 years old — was as ancient as it is,” she explains.
But isn’t always ignorance either. Recently a Swiss tour guide, who is the very epitome of “should-have-known-better” was caught engraving her name on the Colisseum on video.
According to Kirsty Sedgman, an academic specialising in human behaviour and the author of “On Being Unreasonable: Breaking the Rules and Making Things Better,” there is ample anecdotal evidence indicating that “a growing proportion of people are feeling as if they should be able to do whatever they want,” particularly in the context of travel.
When individuals have invested significant time and money into planning and embarking on a holiday, Sedgman suggests they tend to adopt a mindset that entitles them to experience it on their terms, irrespective of social norms, manners, or regulations.
She labels this phenomenon as “don’t-tell-me-what-to-do-itis,” explaining, “There’s this real sense of, ‘You shouldn’t be allowed to tell me what I should be doing.'”
Catherine Heald, the CEO of Remote Lands, a luxury tour operator with a focus on Asia, has also observed this trend, particularly with her Japan itineraries. Heald acknowledges that she has experienced more instances of clients becoming upset over adhering to local customs—such as removing shoes to walk on tatami mats or following restaurant reservation policies—despite receiving multiple briefings in advance.
“They adore Japanese cuisine, they aspire to visit Japan, and they want to dine at the finest restaurants, but they are reluctant to follow the established norms,” Heald laments.
“If we are not willing to adhere to the rules, perhaps we should reconsider going.”
What countries are doing about it
To combat the increasing incidents of cultural vandalism, Italy has now implemented a law in April that permits fines of up to 60,000 euros (R1,2-million) for those who damage monuments. Italy’s Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano, explained that the new law serves both to deter potential vandals and to offset the costs of repairing the damage they cause.
The law was enacted following a series of incidents in which environmental activists harmed cultural sites to draw attention to their causes, such as dyeing the water in Rome’s Baroque-style Barcaccia Fountain black.
Other preventive measures have also been put in place, including the installation of security cameras and an increase in the number of guards patrolling key sites.
In the Czech Republic, conservationists and environmentalists are calling for increased awareness and responsible tourism practices to preserve the natural beauty of the Czech Republic for generations to come.
In Bali, the government is actively encouraging improved tourist conduct through educational measures. They’ve implemented a system where a QR code at the airport provides information on dos and don’ts for tourists. Additionally, Indonesian authorities are taking a strict stance by deporting individuals who misbehave and have outlined intentions to restrict access to sacred sites.
Amsterdam, too, is taking steps to address behavioural issues. They are tightening regulations concerning marijuana and alcohol and are reducing operating hours for restaurants and brothels. An “Stay Away” advertising campaign, specifically aimed at British bachelor parties, is in place to discourage public intoxication.
Will it be enough? Unlikely. As long as tourist numbers continue to rise the impact of overtourism and tourist vandalism is going to be felt. Hopefully, it never becomes bad enough that countries are forced to shutter their attractions forever.
