4.Be a Better Traveler in the Over-tourism Era Travel has become as accessible as McDonald's,reaching a new high as global tourist arrivals reached 1.4 billion last year.In 1995,global arrivals numbered only 525 million.
As a father of two kids,I am the first to celebrate the drop in costs brought on by air-travel market liberalization,the rise of discount airlines,a revolution in accommodations thanks to the likes of Books.com and Airbnb,and mobile devices installed with the best maps and travel guides the world has ever known.I'm also happy for the retailers,hoteliers,museum keepers and others who have benefited financially from the tourism boom.
I can't help but wonder,though,what we are actually seeing as we travel these days.More people are travelling,but many are visiting the same places.Is a forest of selfie sticks what I wanted to show my daughter at the Louvre?When was the last time I set food on Prague's main square without being elbowed a dozen times?Is a trip to Barcelona complete if you have to avoid every famous location for fear of being trampled (踩踏)?
Cities can not do much about this — they can't very well close airports,force airlines to fly less frequently or increase their prices.Raising the cost of air travel,overall or to specific destination,will never be popular.Many will object it on the grounds that travel shouldn't be just for the rich,and it'll hurt the residents of cities troubled with over-tourism.
So what should travelers do?Stay home?That's unlikely.But if you are heading for some of the world's most popular destinations,rethink your bucket list (愿望清單).You should be open to venturing beyond the obvious.Even if you are set on visiting an iconic site,consider going at an off-peak time.
The biggest thing to keep in mind,no matter where you travel,is to be well-researched,respectful and genuinely curious about the destination.Don't fall victim to what people call "selfie culture" and "bucket list culture".Treat the destination as you would do to your own home - not as a "hidden gem" that you throw money at to get certain experience you feel entitled to.
(1)Which of the following is NOT the cause of the drop in travelling costs according to the author?
A.The rise of discount airlines.
B.The freedom to choose transport.
C.The popularization of mobile devices.
D.The appearances of Booking.com and Airbnb.
(2)According to the passage,why might some people oppose raising the cost of air travel?
A.It would result in a decrease in airport security.
B.It would lead to fewer people travelling overall.
C.It would hurt the residents of tourism-dependent cities.
D.It would encourage a "bucket list culture."
(3)What does the author mean by saying "Cities can not do much about this"?
A.Facing the trouble of over-tourism,cities lack feasilbe measure.
B.Those cities as famous tourist destinations are not only for the rich.
C.Cities with over-tourism can't deal with protests among travelers.
D.Cities with over-tourism can stop people making trips there.
(4)What should people do to be a better traveler in the over-tourism era?
A.Set on a journey at an on-peak time.
B.Avoid visiting an iconic site.
C.Raise the cost of air travel.
D.Be willing to explore new sites.