Bye bye, paradise? Documentary about "Overtourism" starring Tuluminiña
/The main German television station Das Erste contacted me to be part of their documentary about "overtourism" – the phenomenon of a place getting that popular that it turns from untouched insider tip to crowded mainstream destination, cause it’s simply so beautiful that everyone wants to go there. Like Tulum.
In 2020 and 2021 we shot parts for the 45 minute long TV report which had its premiere in Germany on May 3rd 2021. Watch the documentary now (in German) and see me talk about the problems Tulum faces due to it’s growing hype:
Read article about the documentary: "Are we traveling differently soon? Corona vs. Mass Tourism"
Background story
In the last 1.5 years Tulum experienced a boom of visitors. The travelers from the packed beaches of Cancún and Playa del Carmen tickled three hours down the coast to arrive in the place that for a long time only has been "on the map" of a smaller circle of people looking for nature, yoga, healing, spirituality, native culture, artful expression, new possibilities, tranquility and peace. How Tulum got so popular? First, the "news" of this small town full of positive vibes naturally spread word-to-mouth amongst trendsetters and later to people with the modern day illness FOMO: fear of missing out. If you wanna be hip, you have to go to Tulum and prove it with a story online. Social media, influencers all did their part. Now it seems everybody wants to have a share of this not so boho-chic-eco-friendly spot anymore – cause the majority is not looking for what Tulum got to popular for. Instead of nature and peace, the mass wants malls and parties.
Recommendation: Also read the article "Who killed Tulum?"
Didn’t the pandemic year stop the people from coming? On the opposite. In 2020 the world asked itself if we ever will be traveling again. And if so, how. Although the travel industry still looks for ways to recover in 2021, Tulum’s status quo is as crowded as never before (in the moment of writing this article, April 2021). This is possible due to the no travel restrictions – especially between the Unites States and Mexico, and a crisis-inducted drop in airline and accommodation fares. More people than ever are discovering this piece of paradise for themselves. But for what price?
The good: Many locals depending on tourism in the Riviera Maya still get an income.
The bad: The people coming to the idyllic beach town are not coming to connect with nature or culture, they are looking for that what is forbidden in their home countries: parties.
The ugly: Tulum’s vibe changes from mindful and eco-conscious refuge for the creative, hippies, idealists and change makers to a mainstream party central for people who look for fast, hard, short-lived amusement.
Into what Tulum transforms, is not why I’m here.
Dodgy beach clubs, soulless parties, the next meat-glorifying restaurant, event spaces cutting hectares of jungle to host thousands of ravers, big hotel chains, another fake eco-luxury condo complex. Really?
I thought people spend their time in Tulum because of its beaches, cenotes, the jungle, the tropical flora & fauna. But now, they come to destroy it all? It doesn’t make sense. Soon this paradise that real estate companies are ripping apart for years will be far from idyllic.
Change can be good and is the essence of life – but into what Tulum transforms leads to ecological collapse. This place isn’t made for huge crowds. It can’t keep pace with the greed of investors. It’s somehow still a virgin land without urban infrastructure. We don’t even have a proper sewage system. Not even to speak of our garbage treatment 😳 Aka an overflowing dumpster in the jungle.
The old trash dump in the middle of the jungle, just kilometer outside of Tulum. The new dumpster is already full. About 200 TONS OF TRASH generated by tourists gets thrown into the jungle – EVERY DAY!
What can we do to save Tulum?
Sure, everyone who comes here is part of the problem. Me too. But we can chose to start from ourselves to minimize the impact. You might wanna ask yourself:
💚 Do I really need a diesel-generator run AC in my room (or will a solar-powered fan do)?
💚 Do I really wanna introduce toxins and micro-plastics into the ecosystem (or better use biodegradable cosmetics, also for my own health)?
💚 Do I really want to consume a substance which increases Tulum‘s crime (or try a native ritual with sacred plant medicine instead)?
💚 Do I really need to eat overfished fish (or better try some local veggies)?
💚 Do I really need to show myself in this new shady beach club (or better ask a local which small business to support)?
💚 Do I really want the same picture like everyone else on Instagram (or discover authentic spots in my own way)?
💚 Do I really wanna do a tour with an operator who only cares for profit and not for the environment (or rather go on an adventure with someone real with an intention)?
💚 Is it enough for me to just lay on the beach? Or do I want to get involved with a local NGO which organizes beach clean-ups, educates local kids, promotes recycling or urban gardening?
As you can see – these are alternatives and ways to keep intact for what we cherish this and many other natural paradises on earth. For the sake of nature 💚🌴