Living in a holiday destination
Fawey, Cornwall
For all sorts of reasons, I’m currently taking my first holiday of more than 5 days in nearly a decade. Perhaps that’s why most of my photos are of Argyll… I’ve travelled nearly 600 miles to the other end of the UK, from one holiday destination to another. This time to the Cornish coast. It’s beautiful, mild, and even in February, relatively busy. Narrow, winding village roads weave between glorious mansions, with sun terraces and palms. Evidence of local frustration with entitled/ignorant tourists is everywhere. Parking seems to be a particular sore point. Dog poo. Litter. Privacy. All very familiar to those of us who are fortunate enough to live in a location that people want to visit.
Like most things, it’s all about balance. Without tourism, such villages would become silver ghost towns; populated almost entirely by grey-haired retirees with no need for schools, shops, or places to earn a living. Overrun destinations can become similarly deserted, as more and more homes become holiday rentals and the damaging impacts of a purely seasonal population pervade. It’s the same the world over and there’s no easy answer. If only locals could warmly welcome an appropriate volume of tourists. If only tourists could be respectful and leave no trace of their stay. But it doesn’t happen like that.
Most individuals are fine. People, en-masse, can be idiots. Particularly awful examples of humanity can be found in busy airports. I spent most of my working life in the dreadful, hellish limbo of airport terminals, wanting to go home, even if I was waiting for an outbound flight. The stresses and strains of crowded, noisy places. The selfishness and protectionism. The crying babies. The exhaustion of travel. Even the thought of it depresses me.
Living in, or close to a place I love, with the occasional absence to keep the heart fond, is my most practical solution. And when I do travel; when I am a tourist, I tread as lightly as I possibly can. I park courteously, even if it means a longer walk. I smile and say hello. I buy local, and I take only photographs for souvenirs.
Fujifilm X-T5, XF 70-300 at 105mm, f/4, 13s, ISO 160
