With low-cost airlines, glossy guidebooks, and of course, social media fueling a massive surge in travel, it’s no surprise that overtourism has become an issue in the last couple of decades.
As tourism represents 10% of the global economy, Europe’s most famous landmarks are hitting maximum capacity.
In 1950, global travel accounted for 25 million international arrivals. Nowadays, that number has soared to over 1.5 billion, inevitably bringing popular destinations like Venice, Amsterdam, and Paris to a breaking point.
As the May 2026 CBS Sunday Morning segment on overtourism highlighted, this explosive growth has triggered a massive coming-of-age moment for the travel industry: “where destinations are really waking up to the fact that tourism is something that needs regulation. It needs taxes. It needs urban planning laws. It needs physical infrastructure.”
Yet, at the end of the day, tourism all comes down to the choices we, as travelers, make.
That’s where JayWay Travel comes in. By crafting unique, tailor-made itineraries, JayWay caters to semi-independent travelers who truly make a difference.
How JayWay Combats Overtourism Every Day
Hidden Gems
Nobody can argue that a gondola ride in Venice, a sunset in Santorini, and a stroll through the corridors of the Louvre in Paris are all bucket-list items.
Yet, there’s more to Europe than just its major cities and famous attractions, and JayWay trip planners do a great job encouraging off-the-beaten travel by expertly customizing each itinerary they craft with lesser-known – yet, equally stunning – destinations that hide as much magic as their renowned counterparts.
Traveling off the beaten path also allows you to stay much smarter: you can still day trip to the marquee destination but save time, money, and effort by booking your accommodations in counterpart towns and cities just a car or ferry ride away. And believe us, the views and experience make it well worthwhile.
For instance, why stick to Capri when you can take in the slow island life in Ischia instead? Similarly, for the Amalfi Coast, consider using Sorrento instead of Positano as a base.
This way, not only will you enjoy a more authentic experience, but you will also support the local community in a destination that won’t overwhelm your time there with long lines, huge crowds, and rushed itineraries.
Smart Timing
Deciding on the right time to visit Europe can make or break your travel experience. At JayWay Travel, our experienced trip planners are always happy to advise on the best time to travel to avoid major events that attract unbearable crowds.
Most importantly, JayWay Travel curates exceptional private tours, timing them outside the peak hours.
Local Immersion
At JayWay Travel, local immersion is just the way we actually do things; we are uncompromising in our goal of getting you an unforgettable experience each day of your trip.
We’re devoted advocates of semi-independent custom travel, steering clear of large-bus tours and cruiseship tourism, both of which are among the main drivers of overtourism.
The JayWay philosophy also has another reason for recommending you skip the jam-packed tour agendas: they’re cut-and-paste, depriving your travel experience of everything that makes a trip truly memorable.
Instead, your tailor-made itinerary will include small-group or private tours and activities run by locals, as Olga Sontowska, JayWay’s Sales Director, points out: “Whenever possible, experience away from the main tourist crowds. Our offer includes many off-the-beaten-path and local experiences that allow you to discover the destination in a more genuine way, without feeling like just another tourist, for example, a “Dinner With Locals” experience in Dubrovnik.”
Our “Dinner With Locals” in Dubrovnik is just one of several experiences we offer that prove you can still get a glimpse of authentic life even in a popular destination like Dubrovnik, as long as you know where to look.
Why Traveling With JayWay Can Make a Difference
Customizable Private Itineraries
Semi-independent travel can be part of the solution against overtourism. How? By avoiding breakneck group schedules and prioritizing flexible itineraries, JayWay manages to divert traffic away from over-congested hot spots while slipping you in during ideal off-peak times.
Deep Local Partnerships
With 20 years of pioneering in Europe travel, JayWay has built a vast network of local guides, family-run hotels, and regional artisans. This way, every dollar you spend on your trip supports local communities and helps create a sustainable future for residents.
Here’s how JayWay’s Operations Director, Ana Bacic Vukota puts it: “Over the years, we have built long-term relationships with trusted local partners, many of whom have become close friends.” Ana continues: “Above all, we truly enjoy sharing the passion we have for our countries, our history, and our cultural heritage with every traveler we welcome.” And what’s the best part of JayWay for Ana? “It is a great reward and pleasure for us when we can pass that same feeling and passion onto our guests, who leave with a deeper connection to the destination and its people.”
On-the-Ground Staff
But if there’s one thing that makes JayWay Travel truly stand out, it’s our local staff on the ground.
Our city hosts are locals, people who’ve spent their entire lives in Europe, and who’re eager to help guests see their favorite cities through their eyes, providing real-time recommendations for the best neighborhoods, restaurants, and all the places they’ve come to love throughout the years.
The same people also have first-hand experience on how overtourism has altered the lives of locals in saturated cities and, thus, they’re the right people to help you enjoy an immersive experience away from tourist traps.
JayWay Is The Better Way To Travel
If we remember only one thing from the recent CBS Sunday Morning report on overtourism, it should be this quote by Paige McClanahan: “We can use our power to turn tourism into a constructive force for humanity.”
With JayWay Travel, this isn’t as hard as it may sound. Conscious travel does not require sacrificing comfort or missing out on the magic of Europe.
All it takes is careful planning, smart choices, and a network of local professionals who excel in offering remarkable services while remaining mindful of the effects of mass tourism on local populations and communities.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read real stories of travelers who’ve already made a difference by choosing responsible, crowd-free adventures on our JayWay Travel Guest Reviews page.
Born and raised in Athens, Maria’s passionate about travel and storytelling, a combination that makes her ideal for her role as our content manager.