Susana Vaz Patto

I read the interesting article published by The Korea Times titled “Chaos of 'overtourism' in summer of 2024,” a story that prompted some reflections.

I believe that tourism is an extraordinary way to promote not only the economic and social development of countries but also peace. People who travel more and have greater knowledge of cultures, traditions, religious beliefs and ways different from their own are more receptive and tolerant.

Already in 2011, on the occasion of his message to World Tourism Day, the then-U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke about "tourism as a force for a more tolerant, open and united world."

However, with the travel flows returning to — and in some cases even surpassing — 2019 numbers, voices........

© The Korea Times