What Exactly Is The 'Rick Steves Effect' And What Does He Have To Say About It?
Over the past 40 years, Rick Steves's guidebooks, PBS show, and tour company has offered everything from tips for traveling on a budget to logistics behind building the perfect European itinerary. Of course he has also extensively discussed where to go and what to do all over Europe too, including plenty of hidden gems. However, multiple destinations and former hidden gems around Europe feel that they are receiving more tourists than they can comfortably handle. Some of these are places which Steves has highlighted through his work in the travel industry. This so-called "Rick Steves Effect" is a potential dark side to the otherwise positive connotations around Steves.
"[Steves'] critics argue that the 'Rick Steves Effect' can turn a charming village, restaurant or museum into a tourist magnet," explains Natalie Compton of The Washington Post. Compton cites Cinque Terre in Italy as a prime example of a destination dealing with the "Rick Steves Effect" because these quaint seaside villages now see tourists in droves, many with Rick Steves guidebooks in hand. Steves acknowledges his impact, but — as expected — he hopes for the best.
Rick Steves believes those on his tours are 'good travelers'
In his Washington Post interview, Rick Steves expressed that he is cautious of promoting places in Europe that might not enjoy increased popularity from his public seal of approval. Steves also believes that travelers taking inspiration from him or partaking in a Rick Steves tour "are the kind of people that take only pictures and leave only footprints. ... They're good travelers." Of course Steves cannot monitor the behavior of everyone on his tours or those who've purchased a guide book, but he does consistently encourage people to be respectful guests and follow local rules and customs when traveling. He also frequently books experiences and lodging run by locals for his tours.
Perhaps the destination discoveries with which Rick Steves is credited would have been discovered inevitably, especially due to the influence of social media and travel bloggers. For example, the ethereal "blue gatorade" beach in France gained attention thanks to popular TikTok videos showcasing its otherworldly landscape. Television shows and movies can lead to increased tourism as well. Dubrovnik, Croatia served as a major filming location for HBO's "Game of Thrones." While more tourism gave the economy a boost, this Mediterranean city quickly began to feel overcrowded as fans of the show arrived to see its beauty for themselves.