I grew up in a tropical vacation paradise, and our family hosted people from all over the world. Today, together with my wife, we split our time between the warm tropics and the cool alps.
I thought you'd love to learn what it's like to live in places where others vacation.
Jump to:
My Background
I grew up in Goa, India, a place which was long known as the Hippie hotspot in Asia. Our family has been hosting visitors from all over the world since the 80s.
Later on, I met my wife, who grew up in an Austrian ski resort.
We have been living in both places for a few years now, splitting our 6 months between the tropics and the mountains.
Everyday Reality
As a visitor, you spend your time relaxing and enjoying the picturesque surroundings. As a local, you are often bound to Tourism as you earn on travelers.
We don't get to spend time enjoying the perks of living in a beautiful destination.
Tourists would say things like “I don't understand why you never go to the beach” or “If I was living here, I'd go hiking every day in the mountains”.
The truth is, we work every day to make ends meet because Tourism is a seasonal business, and you focus on the months when you can earn money.
Besides, as a local, you can't always afford the tourist lifestyle. For example, taking a cable car up the mountain isn't discounted for locals in the Austrian alps.
Peak Season and Off Season
The peak season in Goa is defined as the end of December, and it lasts up to February. Goa has changed a lot since Covid and our customer base isn't international anymore, most visitors are Indian domestic tourists.
Unfortunately, due to this abrupt shift, Goa has gone a step backwards, and we tend to avoid going to certain places such as the beach.
When we are in the Austrian alps, we avoid going out in the car because of the constant traffic jams and crowded town centers.
We steer clear of certain areas all together during peak season, and we go grocery shopping during specific times in the day.
Off seasons are the total opposite. Restaurants, museums, attractions, everything is closed for the season.
Every year for our birthday we are left stranded because all the restaurants are closed in October and November. It's dead silent outside, which can be eerie.
Growing Up in a Vacation Hotspot
I grew up in a home where tourism dominated our entire life. Our hotel rooms and the restaurant are located in the same property as our home.
So, we took part in bonfire evenings, birthday celebrations and, in rare cases, we got to play with kids from other nations.
I definitely knew that these people were just visitors because most would leave after a few months (Hippies would vacation for months back then).
We made friends and I think I learned a lot from these people, but we also saw things that we shouldn't have as kids.
I think in my wife's case, she didn't really have the same perspective growing up, since her family was not involved in tourism also mass tourism wasn't a thing at the time.
But her mother moved to Austria after having been a tourist to the region previously, and therefore she was never truly accepted by the xenophobe locals.
Living Between Two Vacation Worlds
The people, the climate, the type of Tourism, these are two entirely contrasting locations. Yet, this gives us a unique perspective as we compare all the changes over the past decades.
One fact remains the same in every Tourist hotspot around the world. Exorbitant unaffordable property home prices make it impossible for locals to remain in their hometowns. Many end up moving away.
Most places are snatched by investors and people who dream of a second vacation home. The result is that the towns feel soulless in time.
Back in the day, you'd hang out with your local neighbors and this is a thing of the past as your neighbors are either never there or they don't mix up with the last remaining locals.
Being a Local and a Host
I find myself conflicted all the time. When you are a host, and therefore you profit from Tourism, you need tourism to keep going and pay the bills.
But at the same time, you wished that all that would go away. The crappy people drinking and driving, or the snarky remarks that you have to take from some of these rude visitors.
The garbage problems, the traffic, the masses of people, the shortage of water during the hot summer months. Visitors don't care, they just want to sit in the pool, they don't care if the air conditioner is running 24/7.
Many are entitled, and that's the sad truth. Fortunately, we do get to meet a handful of great visitors, so my hope is not lost yet.
Comments
No Comments