Some cities seem to function as if they were designed
With tourists, rather than residents in mind
When we visit them as tourists it is hard to visualize
That people actually live and work there, we don’t realize
How the relentless emphasis on tourism affects residents
How they have to grapple with sky-high rents
How they face tourists infiltrating neighborhoods residential
How the fabric of their lives is disrupted in ways unintentional..
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Many cities around the world are desirable destinations
Besides this they carry the designation
As centers of political power, trade and culture for their countries
They boast of the best employment opportunities
Their residential population keeps growing, along with the increase
In tourism- the competition for resources never does cease
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Many such cities have been on my bucket list
And I have been visiting them as a tourist
Hearing similar stories of frustration from residents everywhere
I am learning the effects of over tourism and becoming aware
Of the clash between the interests of tourists and residents
I am trying to educate myself on ways to prevent
Myself from contributing to the residents’ ire
Without compromising on my wanderlust desires..
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Iconic landmarks everyone wants to see
But hidden gems exist in every state, every country
Maybe more often off the beaten path I should go
In an era of fast tourism, I should learn to travel slow
Passion...unbridled 