#81 - Has Tourism Changed Forever? Paige McClanahan Weighs In

Books & Looks

Today we welcome Paige McClanahan, travel writer for the New York Times and author of the eye-opening new book "The New Tourist." With a career spanning continents and cultures, Paige brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation about how tourism has evolved over the past half-century.

Book Spotlight: "The New Tourist":

"The New Tourist" is a captivating deep dive into the world of modern travel, exploring how tourism has transformed since the 1970s. Through a blend of historical analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and over 2,000 interviews, Paige uncovers the complex realities behind an industry that moves more than a billion people each year.

Discussed in this Episode:

• The explosive growth of global tourism, from 25 million annual trips in 1950 to over 1.5 billion today
• The story of Tony and Maureen Wheeler, founders of Lonely Planet, and how their guidebooks reshaped budget travel
• Social media's double-edged impact on travel, from democratizing voices to overwhelming fragile destinations
• Barcelona's battle against overtourism and the importance of sustainable tourism management
• Reexamining "tourist traps" like Amsterdam's Red Light District and understanding their appeal
• The environmental cost of travel and the urgent need for transformation in the aviation industry
• How personal connections formed through travel can break down stereotypes and foster cross-cultural understanding

Links:

• "The New Tourist": https://amzn.to/46EABCT
• Paige McClanahan Website: https://www.paigemcclanahan.com
• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZsjsxnXqagg

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Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Find my book reviews on ViewsOnBooks.com.