tourism and travel igcse

Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism Resources

Tourism Teacher is the number 1 choice for Cambridge IGCSE travel and tourism teaching resources amongst teachers, lecturers and trainers. The extensive resource bank provides a range of travel and tourism teaching resources to those working in secondary schools, colleges and universities as well travel and tourism practitioners and trainers. 

The travel and tourism teaching resources are differentiated to suit learners of all needs and abilities. With hundreds of generic travel and tourism resources and the entire curriculum of Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism resources, including a range of activities, case studies, worksheets and PowerPoint presentations, teachers are well equipped to develop a comprehensive learning programme for their students. 

As any travel and tourism teacher will know, the industry is dynamic and progressive, with ongoing changes to policy and practice. It is for this reason that the Tourism Teacher travel and tourism resources are updated regularly and new resources are developed each month. If there is a particular resource that you require that isn’t part of the bank of resources, then please do get in contact and I will do my best to produce these for you. 

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Types of Cambridge IGCSE travel and tourism resources

There are a range of Cambridge IGCSE travel and tourism resources available for you to use and adapt for your own classroom, including:

• PowerPoint presentations
• Printable worksheets
• Interactive activities
• Case studies
• Reading lists
• Journal articles
• Role play cards
• Classroom displays and posters
• Exam practice

Travel and tourism topics

The Cambridge IGCSE travel and tourism resources cover a wide range of topics, including:

Introduction to the main travel and tourism definitions and concepts 1.1 Main types of tourism 1.2 Main reasons why people travel 1.3 Sustainable travel and tourism 1.4 Characteristics of travel and tourism 1.5 Types of tourists 1.6 Types of destinations

Global tourism 2.1 The scale of travel and tourism 2.2 Features of destinations and their appeal to different types of tourists 2.3 The role of organisations involved in development and management of destinations 2.4 Factors affecting tourism development and management 2.5 Managing destinations sustainably 2.6 Economic, environmental and sociocultural impacts of travel and tourism

Travel and tourism organisations 3.1 The role of tourism organisations, their sustainable practices, the products and services they provide and their appeal 3.2 Ways travel and tourism organisations work together 3.3 Different types of transport and their appeal 3.4 Sustainable developments within travel and transport 3.5 Domestic and international travel and transport infrastructure

Customer service 4.1 Importance of customer service 4.2 Delivery of customer service 4.3 Provision of customer service for different types of tourists 4.4 Skills required when working in the travel and tourism industry

Destination marketing 5.1 Importance of marketing to travel and tourism organisations 5.2 Factors affecting marketing 5.3 Marketing mix 5.4 Market research and analysis 5.5 Market segmentation and targeting

Free Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism Resources Samples

I understand that you may want a sneak peak of what is on offer for Cambridge IGCSE travel and tourism teachers! If you would like to receive some free samples, simply click here and they will be sent straight to your inbox!

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Who Developed the Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism Resources?

All resources on this website have been created by the resources development team in line with the relevant specifications. Please note that the resources have not been endorsed by any awarding body and that they are the property of Tourism Teacher Ltd. Copyright laws apply.

Cambridge A Level travel and tourism resources-  FAQs

How long will my membership last?

The membership is an annual subscription and you can continue to be a member for as long as you like!

Can I see some sample resources?

Yes-  click here  to download your free sample travel and tourism teaching resources. 

Who developed the travel and tourism teaching resources?

All of the travel and tourism teaching resources have been developed by Dr Hayley Stainton and the Tourism Teacher team.

What level are these resources designed for?

These resources are designed to be used for IGCSE travel and tourism and can be amended to make them easier/more challenging if needed.

How long will I get access to the resources?

You will have unlimited access to the travel and tourism teaching resources for as long as you continue your subscription, which lasts for 12 months.

My institution needs an invoice- can you send one?

Yes. Please ask your school to email  [email protected]  to request an invoice.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you are free to cancel at any time.

Is it possible to pay by bank transfer?

If your educational institution would prefer to pay via bank transfer, please ask them to email [email protected] to request the details. This has a higher fee of £269.

Can I get a refund?

Once you have downloaded the materials you are no longer entitled to a refund. 

Can I edit the resources for my own teaching?

Yes, all resources can be edited to suit your needs.

Can I contribute some of my own teaching resources?

Yes! If you have some high-quality travel and tourism teaching resources to share, please send them to [email protected]. 

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Cambridge IGCSE Travel and Tourism (Cambridge International IGCSE) 1st Edition

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• Publication date August 2, 2012
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• Print length 265 pages
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Canada wants to be in the top 10 global tourism destinations — but it's struggling to get there

Foreign tourism hasn't recovered to pre-pandemic highs amid fraught relations with china.

Geopolitics, extreme weather and cost hurt Canada’s tourism goals

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Canada has set ambitious post-pandemic tourism targets and has a new strategy to meet them, but experts say geopolitical challenges, cost of travel in the country and climate change will make those goals difficult to achieve.

Canada's goal is to get back into the top 10 tourist destinations in the world, after falling to 13th in 2021 on the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index. Canada was 11th on the 2024 index, but the federal government has set a goal of seventh by 2030.

It also wants to increase annual tourism revenues from $140 billion to $160 billion and to boost the sector's contribution to Canada's GDP by 40 per cent.

But experts say it won't be easy.

"The index is not about measuring the number of visitors coming to the country," said Frederic Dimanche, the director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University.

"Some of the criteria being used are about safety, security, the quality of air transport, railroad and other travel infrastructure. It's also about the attractions, the natural resources and cultural resources in the country.

"Canada has to improve on its own, but also it depends on how well the other countries are doing," Dimanche added.

Destination Canada, the Crown corporation tasked with reaching Canada's tourism goals, released a new strategy in June on what needs to be done to get there.

That strategy includes identifying the top target audiences, how to brand Canada, how to attract more business events and conventions, how to increase labour supply and how to do it all with environmental sustainability in mind.

One of those target markets is East Asia, including China.

Canada-China tensions weigh on tourism

The Canada-China relationship is still fraught. China has not put Canada back on its list of approved tours.

"We know that we've lost a lot of business from China," said Dimanche. "Some operators have been badly affected by this. So if we can change that, it would be for the better, but it's not really something that we can control."

Overseas wars and conflicts also affect commercial air routes to Canada, and their availability and price. So while numbers show domestic travel in Canada has fully rebounded after the pandemic, as has the number of Canadians going overseas, the number of foreigners travelling to Canada has not returned to pre-pandemic levels.

"The rebound in demand among Canadian households to foreign destinations has not been reciprocated to the same extent by foreign visitors coming to Canada," said RBC economist Claire Fan, who authored a recent report on the struggles the tourism sector in Canada is facing.

"There's still a 10 per cent gap and we found it's mostly driven by visitors not coming from East Asia. That includes China, Japan and South Korea," Fan said.

Tour operators say they've certainly seen evidence of that first hand.

"We still haven't seen the Asian market really fully come back to what it used to," said Etienne Cameron, co-owner of Lady Dive Tours, a bus-turned boat "amphibus" tour in Ottawa.

He says Canada not being on China's approved list continues to be a major blow.

"We've noticed the impact. It's been huge. Big groups aren't in the city anymore."

Three quarters of Canada's tourism sector is domestic demand, and Fan argues that's what the government should focus on growing.

But the travel industry is considered an export sector because foreign travellers bring in new money. So foreigners continue to be a target market.

"It means you get more travellers, they spend more money, they stay longer and they come all year around," said federal Minister of Tourism Soraya Martinez Ferrada.

1.9M Canadian jobs depend on tourism

According to government statistics, the tourism sector supported 1.9 million jobs across Canada, in every region of the country.

"Tourism is an economic driver.… It's actually more than the automotive sector, the agriculture sector, the fisheries sector," said Martinez Ferrada.

Other obstacles include strained relations with India and recently reinstated Canadian visa requirements for visitors from Mexico.

But the cost of getting around a country as large as Canada is also a hard sell, especially when it does not have rapid rail to offer or airline competition to keep prices low — offerings that other much smaller countries have.

Martinez Ferrada said one part of the government's tourism strategy is to invest further in transportation.

"If you want to go from Montreal to Vancouver and it costs you as much as going to Paris, yeah maybe people would say 'Maybe I'll go to Paris.' But if you go to Paris, then the costs of being in Paris is very high," Martinez Ferrada said.

The government is hoping that possible growth in tourism could come from more family and friend visits from overseas, based on Canada's surging immigration.

There is also growing demand from foreigners for Indigenous-based tourism.

But another challenge is the escalating impact of climate change.

For example, wildfires threaten the country's reputation when newspapers around the world say "Canada is burning," when it's only a couple of regions in trouble as opposed to the whole country.

"Climate change is a new conversation for us as a sector," said Martinez Ferrada.

"Not only addressing the threat of climate change, but are we also addressing, for instance, if we have to evacuate. How do we evacuate tourists from a region?"

Although climate change and a river that stays unfrozen longer could also translate into an extended tourist season for the Lady Dive Amphibus in Ottawa.

"I'm not necessarily worried that we're not going to get back to where we were," said Cameron. "I just think we need to focus more on establishing relations with other countries, putting more money into tourism and really showcasing Canada and how great it is."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior Reporter, Parliamentary Bureau

Karina Roman joined CBC's parliamentary bureau in 2008. She can be reached on email [email protected] or on Twitter @karinaroman1

One year after the wildfires, Maui is still grieving. What travelers can do to help.

MAUI, Hawaii – One of the first things patrons see when they enter Mala Tavern is a sign telling people to avoid bringing up last year’s wildfires to the staff. 

The oceanfront restaurant, located at the end of Lahaina’s famous Front Street, was one of just a few buildings to have survived the deadliest wildfire in the country in more than a century.

“It’s been really heavy, and it continues to be for people,” said Ashley Davis, co-owner of Mala Tavern. 

With looming operation costs and some employees wanting to return to work, the restaurant reopened as soon as it got the green light from Maui County officials – in February, it was the first on Front Street to do so. 

However, with the loss of Lahaina, Mala Tavern’s foot traffic is virtually gone, and business has yet to recover. In the past six years, the restaurant has already had to close several times, including due to the pandemic. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

“We want to survive,” Davis said.

Mala Tavern’s experience mirrors that of many other Maui businesses as the island continues to grapple with the ongoing uncertainty of recovery from the devastating Aug. 8 fires, which ravaged historic Lahaina town in just hours, resulting in over 100 deaths and destroying homes, businesses, and cultural sites.

Over the past year, the Maui community has tried to balance the economic need for tourism with the emotional healing of what was lost. The island, especially Lahaina, is a tight-knit community, and many returning to work were directly affected by the fires or knew someone who was. The healing process has been far from easy. 

The upcoming anniversary of the fires serves as a poignant reminder that responsible travelers who are sensitive to the tragedy and want to support the Maui community directly are the ones who are welcome. 

 “(The anniversary) is going to be emotional,” Davis said. “Support Maui in moving forward, be aware of what’s going on there, and try to help rather than hinder.” 

'A phoenix from the ashes': How the landmark tree is faring a year after Maui wildfire

‘A delicate balance’

In the aftermath of the fires, potential travelers questioned if visiting would do more harm than good. Some residents advised staying away as they coped with the tragedy, while others who rely on tourism for their livelihoods pleaded for support . Maui’s economy highly depends on tourism, with about 70% of every dollar generated on the island involving it. In the past year, the island has since seen fewer travelers – and those financial losses have reverberated throughout the island. 

In the first four months of 2024, Maui received 24% fewer visitors than the same time last year, causing a 22.5% decrease in visitor spending. Before the pandemic, Maui was the second-most visited island out of the four main Hawaiian islands for both first-time and repeat visitors, following Oahu.

“It’s a delicate balance,” said Davis. “I know people are worried about coming, but there are places that are open and need the support because that’s our economy, whether we like it or not.” 

Businesses that were still recovering from the pandemic now face additional challenges in the aftermath of the fires, such as understaffing as many workers relocated to the other side of the island or left Maui entirely, according to Paula Hegele, president of MauiWine, Maui’s only winery located in Kula. Others chose not to return to work in the wake of their losses.

Surviving the inferno: How the Maui fire reshaped one family's story

According to the payroll job count from June 2024, Maui County is still 6,300 jobs short from July 2023, with the hospitality sector accounting for over half of those job losses. Insurance claims from commercial properties claimed $1.2 billion in damages, with 316 businesses making claims, according to the State of Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

State projects to assist in Maui's recovery include a Maui Business Bridge Grant to provide financial support, and as of July 31, over $10 million has been awarded. Another key project includes a Lahaina marketplace, "a space to host a variety of different businesses and offer a place for community to come together in support of each other," said Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Kunane Tokioka. "Through efforts like this, the state and county of Maui continue to support Maui businesses and Maui-made products."

Hegele said MauiWine is busy on some days and sends employees home early on others due to the few visitors.

Although the future remains unclear, one thing is certain: the small businesses that have reopened fight forward to survive.

Nearly all of Maui has been open

Nearly all of Maui is open to visitors, with West Maui having welcomed travelers back on Oct. 8. The only off-limits area is the historic Lahaina town, which is still being cleared of debris, some of which is considered hazardous . Only Lahaina residents are allowed entry, and they must show proof of residency to the guards.

As of July, USA TODAY was able to visit the Aston Kaanapali Shores and Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach in West Maui, and the area was bustling with tourists. The reporter was invited to dine at West Maui restaurants like Auntie's Kitchen , Longhi's Restaurant and Merriman's Kapalua . Businesses in Upcountry, like Alii Lavender Farm and MauiWine , also welcomed the reporter on this story. Even a snorkeling trip to Molokini Crater with Trilogy Excursions was possible. Despite recent fires near its entrance, Haleakala is open to visitors as well. 

Vivien Van Leeuwen and her family visited Maui from Salt Lake City in late July, staying in Kaanapali and doing activities such as the Road to Hana and surfing lessons. Maui had been on the family’s bucket list, and they wanted to visit before the older son graduated high school. Still, Van Leeuwen knew she wanted to tread lightly in light of the fires and the family tipped generously everywhere they went. 

“Knowing the history (of the fires), we were really respectful of the space and we tried not to take pictures of the areas and don’t gawk at it because it’s so insensitive and inappropriate,” Van Leeuwen told USA TODAY. Before the trip, she and her husband “prepared our kids” by teaching them not to mention the fires when meeting locals. 

The trip ended up being one of the family’s favorites. “They were so hospitable everywhere we went,” she said. 

Although it may seem like business as usual for most tourists, many Maui residents are still grieving, especially as the anniversary nears. 

“Some of the challenges is finding that balance with tourism, you know, supporting the local economy, and welcoming that back while still holding space for our residents (during) the rebuilding and restoring of our community,” said Anna Enomoto, a Native Hawaiian born and raised on Maui and reservations manager at the Aston Kaanapali Shores in west Maui. 

Driving through West Maui, signs of the August tragedy remain. Honoapiilani Highway, heading toward Lahaina, is lined with photos of those who lost their lives in the fire. The charred remains of homes and trees are still visible, serving as somber reminders. 

‘A direct impact is the biggest change you can make’

Potential travelers often call Enomoto to ask if coming to Maui is OK and what’s open. 

“The fact that you’re asking that question says so much to me, and also the reason why I want you to come,” Enomoto said. “You’re the type of visitor who’s very mindful. You’re sensitive to what happened.” 

Enomoto encourages visitors to volunteer as a meaningful way to help Maui heal. The island offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including farming, house-building, reforestation, translation, meal-prepping and beach clean-ups.

By spending quality time with the community and helping to "revitalize" the island, travelers will gain a deeper understanding of Maui's history. “I think it will give visitors the chance to connect,” she said. 

Most importantly, people should ensure their money goes directly into community members' pockets, not just to the hotels. Supporting local businesses and tipping well are the first steps.

“People think them coming here is like they’re feeding us, that savior mentality, you need us to come here, without us you don’t thrive, but for us, that’s not the case,” Shannon Ii, a Native Hawaiian whose family lived in Lahaina for generations and lost their homes in the fire. “When you come to travel, are you impacting the community? Are you making it better or worse?”

Ii wants travelers to go one step further: help the locals you meet.  

“Buy a gift card, and when you’re at a restaurant, give it to a server,” Ii said. “I bet you that server lost their home. A direct impact is the biggest change you can make.” 

“That’s the biggest thing: bring your aloha with you, bring your open hearts because they will see it,” Enomoto said. “The local people will see if you’re genuinely caring about them.” 

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How is AI reshaping travel and tourism?

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By Webb Wright, NY Reporter

August 5, 2024 | 8 min read

Listen to article 4 min

Automated travel agents, itineraries generated in seconds and multi-million-dollar acquisitions – the travel industry may never be the same. We take a look as part of our Travel & Tourism Focus .

A number of major travel companies have recently been embracing AI. / Adobe Stock

In 1841, a British cabinet-maker named Thomas Cook organized a railway trip for more than 500 people from Leicester, England, to a temperance (anti-alcohol) meeting in nearby Loughborough. The journey is often cited as the world’s first example of organized tourism and it led to the creation of Thomas Cook & Son – widely credited as the world’s first travel agency.

Much has changed since that fateful train journey more than 180 years ago. Not only have cars and airplanes replaced trains as the preferred mode of travel for much of the world but increasingly, the Thomas Cooks of the world are being unseated by a new kind of travel assistant: artificial intelligence.

Explore frequently asked questions

Consumer-facing generative AI models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Microsoft’s Copilot and Google’s Gemini are already masters at producing text and other forms of content from simple user prompts. It was only a matter of time before the technology was widely embraced throughout the web-based travel industry to enhance the user experience.

“On the B2C side, travel planning is very low-hanging fruit for generative AI tools due to the wealth of knowledge that [large language models, or LLMs] contain about destinations and the ease with which they can output text itineraries,” says Michael Coletta, senior manager of research and innovation at Phocuswright, a market research firm focused on the travel industry.

Travel website Expedia was quick to recognize the transformational power of generative AI. In April of last year, less than five months after the release of ChatGPT, the company announced a new feature allowing users to build travel plans with the chatbot’s help.

Since then, a growing number of other AI-powered features and platforms have proliferated throughout the travel and tourism sector.

Layla, for example, is a website with an AI chatbot that’s designed to look and feel like a very friendly and responsive human travel agent. It even comes with a profile picture: a smiling, 20-something woman with curly brown hair, wearing a dark jacket and a backpack.

When asked to provide some potential budget-friendly travel destinations in Europe for this fall, Layla recommended Kraków, Budapest and Lisbon and provided a flight cost estimate for each.

The system also appears to have built-in guardrails to prevent users from veering into non-travel-related conversations. When asked to recommend a presidential candidate, the system advised me to vote in the upcoming US election, but immediately tried to veer the conversation back on-topic: “Let’s stick to planning that epic trip, shall we?”

Layla launched late last year after reportedly securing more than $3m in seed funding from a cohort of investors that included a co-founder of Booking.com, a co-founder of Skyscanner and Paris Hilton.

Another platform called iPlan.ai is designed to build personalized travel itineraries. Users can modify parameters such as budget (’Economy,’ ’Normal’ or ’Luxury’) and interests (’Historical’ or ’Nature,’ for example), and with this information, the algorithm will automatically generate a proposed itinerary.

Airbnb has also hinted at some big plans for AI. In November, the company acquired stealth AI startup GamePlanner.ai for a reported value of close to $200m. Then, in a Q4 2023 earnings call earlier this year, company CEO Brian Chesky called AI “the ultimate platform shift” – a new phase in the evolution from web to mobile to new kinds of digital experiences.

A generative AI-powered user interface, Chesky went on to say, can “provide an experience that’s so much more personalized than anything you’ve ever seen before – imagine an app that feels like it knows you. It’s like the ultimate concierge, an interface that is adaptive and evolving and changing in real-time ... ”

Citing the recent acquisition of GamePlanner.AI, among other efforts, Chesky said he believes Airbnb “can become a leader in developing some of the most innovative and personalized AI interfaces in the world.”

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Leading AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini can also help users plan travel itineraries. They don’t always appear to take current geopolitical events into account, however, in the manner that any competent human travel agent almost certainly would.

Asked to provide a travel itinerary for a five-day trip to Kharkiv, Ukraine, ChatGPT enthusiastically did as it was asked without any mention of the bloody conflict currently underway in the region. Gemini, however, did provide a disclaimer: “Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, I strongly advise checking the latest travel advisories from your government before making any travel plans. Safety should always be the top priority.” (For reference, the US government currently has a Level 4 travel advisory – ’Do Not Travel’ – in place for Ukraine).

Despite these seemingly major changes, Phocuswright’s Coletta believes that the travel and tourism industry is “still in a very early stage” of adopting AI. “I wouldn’t call it a revolution in travel planning yet,” he says.

Even so, some travel professionals are already feeling the effects. In the subreddit r/Singularity four months ago, one Reddit user said they were fired from their travel consultant job, “and lo and behold, the company is a partner with OpenAI.“

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Greece is in the middle of an anti-cruise rebellion, with locals complaining about over-tourism and trashed streets

• Popular tourist destinations in Greece are struggling with overcrowding.
• Athens is plagued by high rents and short-term rentals, while the islands contend with cruise ships.
• The government plans to limit cruise ships to balance tourism and local quality of life.

An anti-cruise rebellion is afoot in popular tourism destinations in Greece.

Boats full of tourists who arrive on the island, crowd the streets, and leave trash have led to the "worst season" ever, locals say.

It's a story mirrored across Europe this summer, with anti-tourist protests breaking out in famous hot spots.

In Barcelona , locals have sprayed holiday-makers with water pistols and shouted at them to go home, blaming them for the city becoming unlivable due to high rent prices and apartments being turned into Airbnbs.

In Athens and Greek islands, such as Santorini, there's a similar sentiment growing.

Crowded monuments

Vivian Antypa, an archaeologist and tour operator in Athens, told Business Insider that she loves working in tourism and meeting people from all over the world. But her job has become "challenging" recently.

"The government hasn't put any limitations to the number of people that can visit the monuments," she said, except for the 20,000 person cap to the Acropolis, which was implemented last year .

All the other archaeological sites in the city are "extremely crowded," Antypa said.

"This, of course, affects the quality of our work, the experience of the people," she said. "It can be dangerous due to the hot Greek weather."

The number of tourists visiting Greece increased by 120% between 2019 and 2023, Fortune reported , with 33 million tourists heading to the country last year.

Antypa said overtourism in Athens is a problem because the city can't accommodate the large numbers of people in the high season.

As a result, the center is full of traffic and crowds, which makes it hard for locals to live their daily lives.

There are also not enough establishments to accommodate all the people, which has boosted the short-term rental market.

Related stories

"That has caused a big disruption for the locals," Antypa said. "People cannot find apartments for long-term renting, and the ones that can be rented are usually extremely overpriced and in poor conditions."

According to the Greek news outlet Kathimerini , investors are turning entire apartment blocks in Athens's districts of Pangrati and Koukaki into short-term rental units.

Rental rates in Pangrati have increased by 14.3% compared to last year, the Greek newspaper To Vima reported . House prices are also soaring, according to Bloomberg .

Tourists and locals are equally disappointed in the ramifications of over-tourism, Antypa said, which "sets the standards of the Greek hospitality way back."

On TikTok, there's a heated debate between vacationers and locals at top tourist sites. Visitors complain about crowds and dirty streets and share their disappointment about their trip not meeting their expectations. In response, locals call them out for being "ungrateful" and implore them to consider their part in it all.

Tourist activities make up 25-30% of the Greece's GDP. Harris Doukas, the mayor of Athens, told Euro News that "Each visitor brings €0.40 to the city."

"And we haven't seen this money yet," he said. "We need sustainable tourism that doesn't worsen city inequalities."

A crackdown on cruises

Antypa said cruise ships are a big part of the problem. People aboard follow "a very specific pattern" in Athens, where they arrive very early in the morning and head straight to the landmarks. This causes traffic, queues, and "horrific crowds," she said.

The islands are also impacted. Nikos Drosos, a tour guide who owns the Santorini-based travel company Santo Luxury Escape, told BI, "This is one of the worst seasons that the island has had right now."

"There are a lot of cruise ships and a lot of people, like 15,000 per day," Drosos said.

When they arrive, the main streets are packed with buses, and people leave behind "a lot of garbage," Drosos said.

"Because they eat on the ship, they don't buy any souvenirs or eat in the restaurants," he added. "That's the problem for us here."

Drosis believes there wouldn't be an overcrowding problem if more people stayed on the island for a few days at a time.

"In fact, we want the people to stay more on the island," he said.

The answer may not be so simple, though, as islands, including Santorini and Mykonos, have become more expensive due to their idyllic landscapes and Instagrammable views, leading to an influx of designer stores and even a Nobu .

Those who may wish to come may not be able to afford a stay there.

"There is a real problem when locals, both those that live in a place year-round or wish to visit family and friends, are priced out," Richard Krieger, the director at Sky Vacations, told BI. "You only have to look at the prices of hotels and accommodation in the most well known places in Greece to see how expensive things have become."

He added that it's not just the most famous destinations. Small towns like Katakolon in the Peloponnese can become "a nightmare when ships pull in and the crowds pour into the streets," Krieger said.

Antypa said she has heard similar stories in her industry, and that the majority of visitors on the islands are not spending money there.

"The islands have started to lose their authenticity, their individualistic fingerprint," she said.

Krieger said implementing fees that support the tourism infrastructure and promoting the entire country as a destination is part of the solution.

"Our collective effort is needed to ensure that the beauty of the country remains unharmed and that by visiting in a responsible manner, we support local communities and help them thrive," he said.

In June, Greece's prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told Bloomberg the country was moving to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to stop at the most popular islands.

Drosos said this will be "good in some ways."

"It's going to be better for some people," he said. "The big tour companies with the big buses, I don't think they're going to like it, but it's for their own good, for everyone."

Antypa said a response "is just a response," and she wants to see the government take the next step by committing to sustainable growth and protecting Greece's environment and culture.

"This has been the goal of many European countries for years," she said. "If the government takes action toward the right direction, we can make tourism better for the tourists and the locals."

Axel Springer, Insider Inc.'s parent company, is an investor in Airbnb.

Watch: Greece's resort islands are on fire as heat wave intensifies

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More From Forbes

Dubai real estate sets the pace for luxury living and tourism.

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Dubai is quickly becoming a prominent destination for business and tourism. Real estate investors are helping transform Dubai into a 21st-century global city with eye- catching and sustainable skyscrapers that serve as a worldwide model for luxury living.

Dubai Marina from a high view showing the boats, sea, and the city scape.

Why is Dubai So Special?

While Dubai has been a notable trading destination for centuries, it has transformed into a thriving global city in recent decades. The ultramodern metropolis is a beacon for international business, tourism, and luxurious lifestyles that other cities across the globe can look to as international affluence increases.

For instance, Dubai has many awards as the best global destination , including:

• Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Destinations Awards (the first city to
• receive this honor for three consecutive years)
• Remitly's Best City in the World to Relocate To
• Savills' Best City in the World for Remote Workers
• Euromonitor's International second-best city destination

Dubai's transformation from a quaint fishing village in the 1800s to a haven for luxury itineraries sets a precedent for future global cities. There are many urban activities, including high-end shopping and indoor attractions. The famous beaches and dunes are also considered the best for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Hbo reveals when ‘house of the dragon’ will come to an end, 3 entry-level remote jobs that pay $55,000+ with no experience in 2024.

The emerging luxury real estate market also has several economic tailwinds. First, prime residential space is cheaper per square foot than well-established destinations such as London, Monaco, and New York. Second, Dubai residents and investors can avoid ordinary real estate taxes on capital gains, rental revenue, property taxes, and income taxes.

These various factors attract investors, tourists, and residents alike.

Dubai's Sustainable Urban Living

The Dubai real estate sector has the advantage of incorporating advanced technology to build structures that increase the standard of living without sacrificing the local ecosystem, as is often the case when building modern cities and high-rise residential projects.

These eco-friendly practices parallel Dubai's goal of maintaining its title as The Sustainable City, which includes becoming carbon net zero by 2050.

Amer Al Zoubi, CEO of United Arab Emirates-based Tiger Properties , and his father-founder, Waleed Al Zoubi, are a cornerstone of Dubai's emergence as a "Pearl of the Middle East" with over 270 successful projects. Dubai is known for its breathtaking skyline, low crime rate, and opportunities for opulence.

Specifically, Tiger Properties emphasizes sustainable luxury developments through innovative architecture and the latest technology. This focus contributes to Dubai's status as a 21st-century must-visit destination as travelers yearn for new experiences and look beyond traditional destinations.

Tiger Sky Tower

Tiger Sky Tower is one of Tiger Properties' latest and most iconic landmarks in Dubai. It challenges the status quo among the world's modern skyscrapers. Some of its feats include the highest rainforest, roller glider, infinity pool, penthouse, and restaurant worldwide. Additionally, it's one of the world's highest residential buildings, with 122 floors and a height of 1,745 feet (532 meters).

"My vision for luxury living combined with a commitment to cutting-edge technology has guided our team in creating iconic landmarks that redefine the Dubai skyline," says Al Zoubi.

Continuing, "I'm dedicated to pushing forward our mission of blending architectural excellence with environmental stewardship, ensuring each project contributes positively to our communities and sets new standards in urban development."

Eng. Amer Al Zoubi and his company, Tiger Properties, desire to create engaging architecture with sustainable design principles. This combination offers residents and guests unparalleled residential experiences, redefines urban living that's eco-friendly, spurs economic growth, and maintains Dubai's rich legacy.

However, this dream isn't challenge-free, as each project must overcome regulatory hurdles and secure funding amidst economic uncertainty. Acquiring expert project managers and strategic relationships with stakeholders is also necessary.

What's the Future of Urban Development?

Many countries are facing the challenge of achieving sustainable urbanization. According to the World Bank Group , approximately 56% of people live in cities, and the ratio will increase to seven out of 10 citizens by 2050.

Sustainable high-rise projects and eco-friendly building practices continue to become more common in Dubai and globally to meet population trends. A corresponding rise in global household wealth encourages developers to reject stale architecture and minimal amenities that are efficient yet need help to improve the region's standard of living.

The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan anticipates population growth from 3.3 million to 7.8 million residents by 2040. One of the plan's initiatives to responsibly absorb the population boom includes integrated housing options to meet citizens' needs for the next 20 years through optimal mobility by developing service centers. Comprehensive and flexible urban planning laws also strive to promote responsible development.

In addition to remaining a leader in Dubai real estate, Tiger Properties is pursuing an international footprint expounding on its five decades of sustainable construction experience.

"We are committed to enhancing quality of life through thoughtful design, fostering vibrant neighborhoods, and leaving a lasting positive impact on the environments we touch," states Al

Zoubi. "With each project, we aim not only to exceed expectations but also to shape the future of urban living, making Tiger Properties synonymous with excellence, sustainability, and visionary leadership in the real estate industry."

Tiger Properties can excel in thriving global cities through these core tenets:

• Architectural Significance: Design innovative residential towers that reshape cityscapes and elevate living standards with signature traits desirable to residents and guests for memorable experiences.
• Community: Create vibrant neighborhoods and bolster local economies through employment opportunities and essential contributions to the underprivileged.
• Strategic Development: Establish a long-term presence to thrive in prominent districts with healthy rental demand and provide investors with a diverse portfolio.
• Sustainability: Utilize advanced technology to enhance efficiency to facilitate world-class leisure lifestyles and eco-conscious construction for a minimal carbon footprint.

These priorities assist real estate developers in collaborating with worldwide urban planners to maximize sustainable community growth as Dubai is accomplishing.

Final Thoughts

Dubai real estate provides many opportunities and lessons for urban planners and investors to benefit from as the world adapts to new trends and a changing environment. Tourists, business leaders, and international citizens flock to this desert oasis for its affordable innovation.

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