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Most of the places that are top tourist destinations don't have the capacity to handle such a high volume of people. It's just not how they were designed (and t

Most of the places that are top tourist destinations don't have the capacity to handle such a high volume of people. It's just not how they were designed (and they had no reason to anticipate a huge surge in population and transportation hundreds or thousands of years ago). In order for places we hold dear to avoid being trampled into the ground by people like herds of buffalo, there has to be some sort of gatekeeping that takes place to protect them. In theory, it would be fantastic if places could be open and appreciated by people from all over, but what happens in reality is more people creates more chaos. We can't expect that people will follow common behaviors and understandings because, if they did, then there wouldn't be a need for rules and oversight in the first place. There's many beautiful places in the world and we should do our best to keep them beautiful for future generations to enjoy. Unfortunately, there's unavoidable costs to doing so, and not everyone will be able to get things the way they want. A finite reality with infinite intentions are going to end up at odds with each other.

CaptainZapp 8y ago
Botswana does its gatekeeping by maintaining relatively high prices. In addition: Quotas to the game parks are strictly limited and enforced. You can go cheaper (but never cheap) by joining an organized camping tour, which is actually a huge plus. Camping tour groups get assigned places in the middle of the game reserves (they must apply for permits 18 month in advance and leave the sites in pristine condition). You can visit the parks individually with a reservation, but are only allowed camping in the entrance area. The kicker is that if you stay in a very expensive lodge, which can be north of 1000$ a night you will never be sleeping in a park, since commercial exploation is illegal. It is an expensive country for tourists by design. They rather have a small, but well heeled number of visitors. And while people may moan that it's unfair it's probably the best way to drive "quotas". That, and limited supply of the main attractions.

CaptainZapp 8y ago

Botswana does its gatekeeping by maintaining relatively high prices. In addition: Quotas to the game parks are strictly limited and enforced. You can go cheaper (but never cheap) by joining an organized camping tour, which is actually a huge plus. Camping tour groups get assigned places in the middle of the game reserves (they must apply for permits 18 month in advance and leave the sites in pristine condition). You can visit the parks individually with a reservation, but are only allowed camping in the entrance area. The kicker is that if you stay in a very expensive lodge, which can be north of 1000$ a night you will never be sleeping in a park, since commercial exploation is illegal. It is an expensive country for tourists by design. They rather have a small, but well heeled number of visitors. And while people may moan that it's unfair it's probably the best way to drive "quotas". That, and limited supply of the main attractions.