Tourists Archives - Com Namibia

Australia to jail visa-overstaying tourists to curb immigration

September 18, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

On Thursday the 17th, Interior Minister Tony Burke had announced restrictions concerning student visas and working holiday visas, saying he wanted to show that the government “controls” immigration. He had notably indicated that 250 new detention places would be created and 100 additional officers recruited to sanction people who overstay their visas.

On Friday, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Matt Thistlethwaite, clarified that holders of a basic tourist visa would be liable to detention in the event of an overstay.

“We think obviously this deterrent measure will ensure that people comply with the conditions” of their stay in Australia, he told News24.

Tourism, an “important part of the Australian economy”

The measure was criticized by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, representing thousands of professionals, whose chief executive Erin McLeod said she feared damage to the country’s image.

Detaining tourists risks becoming truly damaging, as tourism is an important part of the Australian economy, she noted to AFP.

Human rights advocates also expressed their concerns, such as Rebecca Eckard of the Australian Refugee Council, who deemed the punitive aspect of the measure illegal. She also denounced insufficient access to healthcare in detention centers.

The growth of the far-right party in Australia

In total, Australia counts around 77,000 people living in the country whose visas—of all kinds—have expired, according to authorities.

The Labor government aims to reduce the country’s annual net migration balance to 225,000, from 292,000 currently, in this continent-sized country of nearly 28 million inhabitants.

On Thursday, September 17, Mr. Burke denied that this hardening was in response to the rise of the far-right One Nation party, credited with 25% of voting intentions in polls, and cited the necessity of addressing a housing crisis.

France: Mountains Draw Tourists in Search of Cooler Weather

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

MSC Croisières

According to the National Association of Mountain Resort Mayors (ANMSM), the French mountains recorded an occupancy rate of 65.8% for the summer season of 2026, a rise of 2.5 percentage points compared to summer 2025 and 5 percentage points compared to 2024.

The dynamics pertain especially to the two main months of the season, with 63.3% occupancy in July, up 3.6%, and 72% in August, up 1.1%.

The peak attendance was reached during the week of August 8, with an occupancy rate of 80.7%.

“The mountains are becoming a major tourist destination” according to Serge Papin

Beyond heat episodes, the ANMSM highlights the diversification of the resorts’ offerings, spanning sports, cultural and family activities, as well as hosting major events, such as stages of the Tour de France, festivals or competitions.

Holiday villages show a 3.3-point increase to 68.4%, while real estate agencies reach 50.6%, i.e. +3.5 points. The tourist residences, at 74.1%, and the hotels, at 67.9%, remain more stable.

In terms of mountain ranges, the Pyrenees register the strongest growth, with 69.8% occupancy, i.e. +4%. The Northern Alps reach 64.6%, up 2.3%, and the Southern Alps 66.8%, up 1.2%.

The French clientele accounts for 81.72% of holidaymakers. International visitors account for 18.28%, with the Dutch leading at 26%, ahead of the Belgians at 25%, and the British at 13%.

These figures complement those announced by Serge Papin.

The Minister of Commerce and Tourism was a guest on TF1, on Tuesday, August 25. He stated that France should “have a good season“, at least as good as, or better than, 2025.

“The mountains are becoming a major tourist destination“, he asserted, revealing that attendance there rose by 12% in July and 16% in August.

Tourism in France: Heatwaves, Foreign Tourists, and Purchasing Power

September 17, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Didier Arino sur le bilan de l'été du tourisme en France : "Sans le relais des clientèles étrangères, la situation aurait été très mauvaise. Au final, franchement, nous sommes dans le haut de la fourchette de ce que nous avions envisagé dans nos simulations" - Photo Protourisme

MSC Croisières

TourMaG – We had spoken before the summer season, the economic context and the war in Ukraine suggested a difficult summer. On the eve of the return to school, what is tourism in France really like?

Didier Arino : If we look at the broad aggregates, the good news this year is that there were more foreigners visiting France, especially distant markets: Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans. Not more Brazilians, by the way, and I’m not sure why, nor Indians.

However, we welcomed more Koreans and Japanese. We also saw more Europeans: more Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and Belgians. For the British, I can’t give a clear read, as responses are quite mixed. They opted for destinations closer to home, along the Opal Coast, in Normandy… whereas in the South they were fewer.

An increased presence of Europeans and distant foreigners is good news for French tourism. There were also some French people who had planned to travel abroad but ended up staying in France. They contributed positively to French tourism this summer: we estimate them at roughly 700,000 to 800,000. This shows up in the drop in departures from travel agencies, even though agencies don’t represent the majority of travelers. There were also fewer French people traveling abroad, including those who organized trips themselves.

These French travelers helped cushion, to some extent, the drop in vacation departure intentions.

“The heatwave gave a boost to last-minute bookings”

TourMaG – Weather was at the center of headlines, with the heatwaves in particular. What role did it play in French decision-making?

Didier Arino : The heatwave actually had a boosting effect, contrary to what one might assume. It notably stimulated last-minute bookings, from people who hadn’t planned to depart and decided to go later. This concerns especially those with fewer constraints related to school holidays or peak periods, and who could no longer stand staying in cities.

This last-minute clientele was beneficial. It fed the coast, of course, but it also helped recover some of the delays seen in destinations like the Massif Central and accelerated mountain bookings.

We thus observed a good spread of flows across different space types, though there were clear losers: dry, waterless destinations that suffered during the heatwaves. Rural France, hot arid countryside, the results are more worrisome.

Destinations where cycling or nature activities in plains are popular took a hit, particularly in July. Canoe rental, houseboats, the itinerant cycling sector, and outdoor visiting sites all suffered substantially.

The heatwave and tighter purchasing power also impacted dining: roughly 60% of restaurateurs reported a downturn. This translated into stores that didn’t perform well and activity providers that faced difficulties.

TourMaG – Paris was particularly hit by the heatwave this summer; did this affect attendance?

Didier Arino : Regarding urban tourism, Paris is a special case because the capital relies heavily on international clientele. Paris fared relatively well.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie: two major regions with a lot of weight that are lagging

TourMaG – Did vacationers flee the South as some say because of this heatwave?

Didier Arino : On the Côte d’Azur, Nice fared very well, with a strong rise in foreign clientele. Marseille also performed very well in terms of bookings. When I hear that people fled the South, I react! No, they did not flee the South; they fled the heatwave.

In the South, there are also areas like the Pyrenees. To my knowledge, the Pyrenees are in the South, and they recorded very good bookings compared to previous years and to the average.

Of course, the coastal stations of the Pyrénées-Orientales and especially the interior territories were impacted. Occitanie was affected, as was Hérault. But some resorts held up well, such as La Grande-Motte, for example.

Two large regions with substantial weight are lagging: Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie. And when Normandy rises by 5%, that isn’t enough to offset the declines recorded in Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Occitanie, which weigh more heavily. I don’t yet know what the final figures will look like.

TourMaG – If we look at accommodation categories, is the overall picture uniform?

Didier Arino : In terms of overnight stays, they are down in the rental sector. Why? Because these are customers who ended up traveling less. The drop in overnight stays stems from people whose purchasing power is constrained: when people travel shorter durations and there are fewer travelers, it rarely translates into more nights.

For camping, it will be roughly stable, especially thanks to foreign visitors. This assessment isn’t final yet since September remains, but we should be moving toward a fairly stable trend, perhaps with fewer French and more foreigners. As for consumption, campsites saw higher demand for bare pitches rather than mobil homes.

Hotels, on the other hand, performed fairly well, boosted by growing foreign clientele, but also because a portion of French people who did not travel abroad chose hotels. Those with greater purchasing power are more likely to stay in hotels.

Finally, the situation is more varied for some holiday villages and certain tourist residences. It depends on the establishment, but we aren’t seeing a dramatic surge either.

To summarize, tourist accommodation will have a decent summer, even better than feared: the number of overnight stays is expected to fall around -2% in July-August, which isn’t dramatic. We’ve managed to limit the damage.

With a slightly smaller audience, it could indeed have been a catastrophe. Without the support of foreign clientele, the situation would have been very bad. In the end, frankly, we are at the high end of what we had anticipated in our simulations. We are at the maximum of what could be imagined, even if it is not thriving for sure.

“The sociology of tourism inevitably evolves things”

TourMaG – And what about the mountains, which seem to have stood out, with travelers seeking coolness…

Didier Arino : Since the Covid period, mountains are on the rise again, and that’s a good thing. You can see it by visiting mountain resorts. But it depends on which mountains we’re talking about. Mountains with lakes, places that offer more freshness, have indeed performed well. It has been a good season for the mountains, which also benefited from an uptick in foreign attendance.

Regarding the quest for freshness, it’s important to recall that summer vacationers primarily seek sun, warmth—not extreme heat—and water.

When it rains, vacationers don’t think: “Fantastic, it’s cool and it’s raining!” That’s a construct of some journalists!

TourMaG – Is traveler behavior evolving?

Didier Arino : The sociology of tourism inevitably reshapes things. We are seeing fewer families and more seniors. About half of vacationers today are over 50. Retirees, for instance, keep their grandchildren and can travel at times other than July and August.

The peak season concerns only the 15 days of August when companies are closed. But in July, vacationers know they can easily find space and pay less. This year, due to purchasing power constraints, there was a kind of cat-and-mouse game, a yo-yo effect: I book, I cancel, I find a good deal, or I fear bad weather…

France Tourism: International Tourists Continue to Arrive as French Budgets Tighten

September 16, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Following a drop in bookings and a period of hesitation tied to the Middle East war triggered at the end of February, the balance at this stage appears “solid,” despite a difficult economic environment, said Serge Papin at the IFTM travel industry trade fair, which opened its doors on Tuesday in Paris.

“International air arrivals are still rising this summer, notably thanks to long-haul travelers”, the tourism minister told reporters. Mexican visitor arrivals rose 14% in July year on year and those of American visitors by 3%. The data for the entire summer have not yet been published. From January to the end of July, international tourism receipts reached €49.5 billion, up 3.7% in July alone compared to 2025.

In these conditions, “we can reasonably anticipate that international tourism will generate this year more than €80 billion in receipts”, emphasized Christian Mantei, president of the government agency Atout France, at the conference. Last year, it generated €77.5 billion in receipts.

The French Are Hesitant

The situation is more mixed for French clientele. According to the ministry, in July and August the departure rate of French residents on the territory fell by five percentage points year on year, to 59%. It remains stable when including June and September, at 72%, the ministry notes.

“The French had to make more trade-offs in their spending, particularly with regard to dining, activities, and souvenir purchases”, acknowledged the minister. According to a study published Tuesday by ADN Tourisme, which federates tourism offices, 62% of vacationers felt the need to curb their on-site expenditures. Tourism remains, however, an “essential need” for the French, who are increasingly traveling outside peak seasons, asserted Serge Papin.

Réseau Action Climat recently published a study urging the government to prioritize French and European tourists. “The move up-market of the tourism offer, conceived first for international tourists, is coming at the expense of the less wealthy French tourists”, he reacted in a press release on Tuesday.

Five European Cities Not Yet Overrun by Tourists and Worth a Detour

September 14, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Summer holidays may be over, but that is no reason to give up traveling. The journalists from The Guardian have compiled a list of five particularly pleasant European destinations that are still relatively under-visited by tourists from around the world. Ideal for a long weekend or a week of autumn break, for instance. The first destination is French and it is even the sixth-largest city in the country: Nantes. For the journalists of the British outlet, the Loire-Atlantique commune—which lies directly on the Loire—offers a form of escape that the other major French destinations do not.

A special note is made of the Carousel of the Marine Worlds and its Jules Verne-inspired machines, which you can ride for a few minutes. Art, anyway, has a prominent place in Nantes, especially in its contemporary forms. Just like history, notably represented by the Château des ducs de Bretagne or the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery, Nantes having been one of the cities at the heart of the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Spending time along riverbanks

Our neighbors also offer stunning landscapes to reveal to us. In Switzerland, people mostly know the Geneva region, that of Zurich, or the capital Bern. But Basel is less renowned. Yet this The “city of art and culture on the Rhine” offers sublime scenery around the river—where locals and visitors alike swim willingly. Basel also houses several design-focused museums, such as the Beyeler Foundation and the Vitra Design Museum.

Further north, you could be tempted by Lübeck, in Germany. Again, it is a port city that The Guardian invites us to discover. About 70 km from Hamburg, it is a medieval town, relatively spared from the bombings of World War II, that stands out. Therefore you should of course see the old town, on an island in the center of Lübeck, made of red bricks and streets so intricately woven they resemble a labyrinth. If you can, take the time to learn more about the place’s history by exploring the city’s history and art museums. Lübeck will also appeal to fans of Thomas Mann’s work, Buddenbrooks. It is there that the story of this family unfolds.

Travel ideas for Southern Europe in 2027

If you’re looking to head further south in Europe, The Guardian has also got you covered. And if, instead of Rome, Venice or Florence, you gave Parma a chance for your next Italian getaway? The city is reachable by train from Milan or Bologna, the food is divine yet affordable — including its famous ham — and everything can be explored on foot there. Here again, a river cuts the city in two. But on each bank there are treasures to discover, notably in the form of cathedrals and other Baroque buildings. The National Gallery of Parma, far less visited than other Italian art centers, is worth a look.

In Spain, finally, you may want to stop a few days in Santander, Cantabria. It lies only about 180 km from the French border and could become a new favored destination. Indeed, a new cultural center opened its doors on September 8: 1,000 works, including paintings by Goya, Velázquez, or Picasso, are now exhibited there. An extension of Madrid’s Reina Sofía Museum is also expected for 2027. All of it opens directly onto the Atlantic, and promises pleasant moments of relaxation.

From the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls: Famous Landmarks That Disappoint Tourists

September 10, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Every city has its share of so-called “must-see” spots. They are often recommended by guides and travel websites, as well as by town halls, but is that really a guarantee you’ll enjoy them? On site, it can be a real letdown when they do not always meet visitors’ expectations. In the age of social media, where everyone wants to capture the perfect shot, some tourists seem surprised to discover, once they reach their destination, that the most emblematic monuments resemble… the photos they had seen. Nothing more, nothing less.

The Daily Mail makes light of the fact that the Eiffel Tower is reduced in negative comments to “a big tower” and that Big Ben is described as a “big clock” by a traveler who expected to be more impressed by this British pride. There is “no point” in going there since you can now read the time on your phone, the traveler notes.

The “Electric Pylon” of Paris Sparks Outrage

In the Brembana Valley, in northern Italy, it is cows that have become the target of criticism. Vacationers complain about the sound of their bells, which they can hear day and night when staying near these mountains. A Serina resident told the newspaper that it is “impossible to spend holidays here with the cows’ bells within 10 metres of the building”. Her husband even speaks of “noise pollution”.

In response, the town’s mayor defends these animals, whom he considers “a part of our history and our culture”. It is indeed worth remembering that cattle were there long before Airbnb rentals. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower also escapes not from sharp remarks. On Reddit, a tourist described it as a simple “relay antenna”, far from the architectural masterpiece sold. Another person finds that it resembles a “electric pylon”, while a third online user declares that “the building does not deserve to be worshipped”. A hard blow for one of the most famous symbols of France, which has dominated the capital since 1889.

Le Grand Canyon ne serait qu’un “immense trou”

Niagara Falls also leaves visitors perplexed. “Just water falling, nothing special”, sums up almost ironically an unsatisfied tourist. “The worst tourist trap ever, total waste of time! I’ve seen garbage in the street that’s far more beautiful!”, rages another on Google. “Magnificent waterfall! As if I didn’t see that every morning in the shower!” we can still read.

Even the Grand Canyon, though UNESCO regards it as “the most spectacular gorge in the world”, fails to win everyone over. Some reduce it to “colored mountains in a crater” or to an “immense hole in the ground”. These reactions reveal the striking gap between a place’s reputation and what visitors hope to find there. Unrealistic expectations created far too often by social networks.

Brazil: International Tourists Spent $6.5 Billion in Seven Months

September 6, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Le Brésil poursuit sa dynamique touristique en 2026 - Depositphotos.com, dabldy

TAP Air Portugal

The international tourism continues to weigh on the Brazilian economy.

According to data published Thursday, August 27, 2026 by the Central Bank of Brazil, foreign visitors spent 6.543 billion US dollars between January and July 2026, compared with 5.977 billion dollars over the same period in 2025.

Receipts generated by international tourists thus rose by 9.4% year on year.

They cover expenditures related to accommodation, dining, excursions, transportation and even commerce across the country’s various destinations.

In the single month of July, expenditures by international visitors reached 899 million US dollars.

Nearly 6 Million Foreign Visitors

This growth in receipts accompanies an increase in the number of international travelers welcomed to Brazil. Nearly 6 million foreign tourists entered the country during the first seven months of 2026.

Air transport represents the main entry point to the international market. Arrivals by air rose by 12% between January and July 2026, compared with the same period of the previous year.

Over the entire seven-month period, air travel accounted for more than 68% of international arrivals in Brazil. That share even rose in July, with more than 77% of foreign tourists entering the country by air.

This predominant role of air travel underscores the importance of international connectivity in supporting tourist flows to the various regions of Brazil.

International Tourism as an Economic Lever

For Bruno Reis, president of Embratur, the Brazilian agency in charge of promoting international tourism, the results illustrate the economic impact of tourism beyond the travel sector alone.

“When an international tourist chooses Brazil, the impact of that trip touches several sectors of the economy“, he says. According to him, the 6.5 billion dollars spent in the first seven months of the year testifies to the importance of this activity for the regions.

The diversification of promoting Brazilian destinations should also allow, according to the official, to circulate tourist expenditures across different sectors and across several regions of the country.

With nearly 6 million international visitors welcomed since the start of the year and revenues up by almost 10%, Brazil thus confirms the growth of its international tourism activity in 2026.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Thailand: Problematic Tourists Now Face Expulsion

September 5, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

The Thai government has warned that “problematic” tourists could be expelled from the country, as new rules targeting foreigners convicted of illegal activities came into force on Friday.

“Problematic tourists or foreign workers who violate the law must leave”, wrote on Thursday evening on social media the Tourism Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul.

New rules governing the expulsion of foreigners who have completed their sentences were published on Friday in the Royal Gazette, the Thai official journal. They cover offenses such as visa overstay, illegal work, fraudulent business operations, the use of forged documents, or offenses punishable by at least five years in prison.

Incivilities that Are Increasingly Exasperating the Authorities

“The Thailand has a policy of welcoming foreigners who wish to travel, work, or do business. However, it has been observed that some foreigners do not act in accordance with the law or the customs of our people”, the text states.

Approved in July by the government of Conservative Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, these measures aim to “preserve Thai cultural values”, according to authorities.

Thailand had already decided in May to reduce visa-free stays for tourists from more than 90 countries from 60 to 30 days, in the announced bid to fight crime after a string of incidents. Altercations with tuk-tuk drivers, wild two-wheeled roadrides, public sexual escapades or illegal exploitation of businesses: incidents involving foreigners have fed local media nearly every week. A Spanish man and a Peruvian woman were expelled in May after being caught engaging in public sexual activity.

Separately, a controversy recently erupted after the French manager of a small wildlife park on the island of Koh Samui refused entry to Israelis, amid death threats and antisemitic statements.

The repeated incivilities have fueled public debate and pushed authorities to harden their tone, even as the Southeast Asian kingdom remains economically heavily dependent on tourism, which accounts for more than 10% of its gross domestic product (GDP).

Thailand expects around 33.5 million foreign tourists in 2026, compared with nearly 33 million last year.

Paris Welcomed About 3.8 Million Tourists in June 2026

August 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

La capitale a accueilli environ 3,8 millions de touristes en juin 2026 - Depositphotos.com @EnginKorkmaz

Costa Rica

The Paris tourism traffic shows a slight uptick in June 2026.

According to the Paris tourist office barometer – Paris je t’aime, the destination welcomed around 3.8 million visitors during the month.

Air arrivals rose by 2.4% compared with June 2025. This growth, however, masks significant differences depending on markets. The Spanish (+34.1%) and Portuguese (+19.5%) markets show the strongest gains, followed by the Polish and Mexican markets (+15.7%).

Conversely, the United Kingdom recorded a decline of 19.1%, ahead of Brazil (-11.7%), India (-11.2%) and Germany (-5.4%).

The French clientele also shows a marked rise. According to Orange Flux Vision Tourisme data, the number of overnight stays by French tourists in Greater Paris increased by 19.3% year over year.

Overall, overnight tourist presence rises by 3% for the entire month of June. Hotel occupancy remains, however, almost stable (+0.1%). This trend should be viewed in the context of a less favorable comparison base, notably due to the absence of the Bourget Air Show in 2026.

Also read: Tourism: Serge Papin expresses confidence for the summer season

A More Contrasting Start to July

The early days of July show a less uniform trend.

Between July 1 and 12, hotel occupancy remains slightly higher than last year (+0.4%), while overnight tourism presence falls by 3.2%.

This decline occurs despite several events likely to support attendance, including The Weeknd concerts at the Stade de France, Bad Bunny at the Plenitude Arena, and the launch of the Esports World Cup at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

The Paris Heatwave

Weather also weighed on tourist behavior. During the heatwave episode from June 20 to 28, overnight tourist presence rose by 1.4% compared with 2025, roughly matching the trend observed for the reference period spanning from the start of June to mid-July (+1.3%).

The heat spell from July 7 to 13 was, however, accompanied by a more pronounced decline of 7.2%. The data thus suggest a greater impact of the heat on trip duration, movements, and last-minute bookings.

The heatwave also seems to have accelerated Parisians’ departures, with resident presence lower than that observed for the rest of June. These results should, however, be interpreted with caution, as the last weekend of June was also marked by the cancellations of Solidays and the Pride March.

In this context, the opening of new swimming spaces appears as an adaptation to the intense heat. In 2025, swims in the Seine attracted 100,000 people, including 13% international tourists.

In 2026, swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin generated more than 1,300 online media articles, largely positive or balanced.

Cautiously Positive Prospects for the Coming Months

The outlook for the next three months remains broadly favorable. Air bookings for August, September and October are up by 2.9%, representing around 3.2 million anticipated tourist arrivals.

The month of August is expected to remain relatively stable (+0.7%). The projected hotel occupancy rate is currently forecast to rise by 1.6%, supported in particular by the Esports World Cup, the CIGRE conference, and last-minute bookings.

September appears more mixed. Air arrivals are expected to increase by 2.1%, but the projected hotel occupancy rate remains 1.6 percentage points lower than in 2025.

The return to routine could nonetheless be boosted by a dense events calendar, including concerts by PLK, Jay-Z and Céline Dion, as well as the IPEM and Batimat trade shows.

October appears, at this stage, as the most dynamic month. Air arrivals are expected to rise by 5.8%, driven notably by the American, Chinese, Canadian, Mexican and Indian markets. Several professional engagements are also expected to support attendance, including SIAL and the French Radiology Days at the Palais des Congrès.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Tiny Tourism: What If the Perfect Trip Consisted in Doing Nothing, Like Tourists?

August 21, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

What if, to truly discover a city, you had to start by forgetting the places everyone wants to see? This is the idea behind “Tiny Tourism,” a new way of traveling that prioritizes neighborhood shops, local habits, and the small details of daily life. In Dublin, this approach invites, for example, to do your grocery shopping at the supermarket, rummage through second-hand shops, or take the suburban train, rather than chaining together the must-see attractions. But by trying to flee the tourists, do we risk missing what gives a destination its identity?

Travel Often Hides in the Details of Everyday Life

“Tiny Tourism” starts from a simple principle: to discover a destination differently, it is better to observe what its inhabitants actually do, rather than reproduce the typical tourist route offered to visitors. The concept was developed by the British creative platform It’s Nice That, which looked into this growing desire to break away from classic itineraries.

The idea isn’t necessarily to seek secret or spectacular places. On the contrary, it consists of focusing on ordinary activities: buying products in a supermarket, entering a pharmacy, taking a stroll in a residential neighborhood, using public transport, or paying attention to street signs, sidewalks, and gardens. The report dedicated to “Tiny Tourism,” published by It’s Nice That Insights in April 2026, thus recommends to “zoom in on the details rather than showing panoramic landscapes”.

This approach also responds to a weariness with destinations saturated by tourism. Some travelers no longer want necessarily to encounter the same streets, the same restaurants, and the same viewpoints popularized on social networks. The report thus estimates that there exists “a powerful desire to discover the ordinary way of living in a place and to see how it contrasts with ours”.

For Liz Gorny, editor-in-chief of It’s Nice That Insights and the originator of the concept, it’s precisely these ordinary experiences that stay in conversations after a trip. “I had the impression that people were always talking about that café they went to or about what they found in a grocery store,

“That’s what seems exciting.”

In Dublin, this philosophy can thus lead to skipping traditional mementos for a second-hand shop, testing a new flavor of chips in a supermarket, or asking a local for advice. Travel becomes less a succession of monuments than a collection of small discoveries.

Should We, for That Matter, Give Up the Must-See Sights?

The problem arises when this desire to avoid touristy places becomes an absolute rule. In Dublin, some highly frequented spots remain hard to bypass without losing part of the city’s experience. Temple Bar, for instance, attracts visitors from all over the world, but its pubs and its animation are also part of local life. Trinity College, another major classic, tells a crucial part of Ireland’s cultural history.

“Tiny Tourism” shows above all that it is not necessary to choose between classic tourism and local immersion. Taking the DART to Sandycove, for example, allows one to leave the city center and discover Forty Foot, a swimming spot frequented by locals. A far less conventional experience, but one that can become one of the most memorable memories of the stay.

The concept also has its limits. A pharmacy will not necessarily be very different from the one you frequent at home, while the spontaneously given recommendations by locals can be imprecise or concern places that are closed. More importantly, some activities presented as “local” may already have become tourist attractions.

The value of “Tiny Tourism” may thus lie less in removing monuments than in changing our way of traveling. The report suggests prioritizing “an anti-show approach” which could render a stay more enduring in memory.

Rather than turning completely away from the must-sees, a middle-ground solution seems ultimately more pertinent: visit the major sites that interest us, then take the time to look at what surrounds them. Because discovering a supermarket, chatting with a swimmer, or pushing open the door of a neighborhood shop does not necessarily allow you to know a city better than its monuments. But these detours can give the trip a dimension that checklists of places to tick off do not always manage to provide.