Peak Travel

For centuries, members of the B’doul Bedouin tribe lived in the caves around the ancient city of Petra, Jordan. Then, in the 1980s, the government forced the tribe to move in the name of preserving the geological site for tourists. But if the residents are forced to leave, and if their heritage has been permanently changed, then what exactly is being preserved?SHOW NOTES: Meet The Man Living in The Lost City Carved in Stone Jordan: Petra's tourism authority cracks down on Bedouin cave dwellers The tribes paying the brutal price of conservation “There is no future for Umm Sayhoun” Jordan’s Young Bedouins Are Documenting Their Traditions on TikTok Check out Sami's company Jordan Inspiration Tours Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Salem, Massachusetts is best known for the Witch Trials of 1692. That history turned the small town into a Halloween destination, with more than 1 million people flocking there in the month of October alone. It’s so crowded that residents can’t get down the street, walk into a shop, or sit down at a restaurant. How does a small town like Salem deal with a flood of visitors in just one month of the year? And is it really worth it for the people who live there? SHOW NOTES: The Salem Witch Trials: A Story of Patriarchy, Persecution and Misogyny Witch Hunt: A Traveler’s Guide to the Power and Persecution of the Witch How Salem, Massachusetts Became America’s Halloween Capital Visit these 12 Halloween towns that aren’t Salem Salem residents share perspectives on tourist crowds Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Cruises are coming to dominate the tourism industry, offering accessible and affordable vacations. And many local economies rely heavily on them to stay afloat. But activists, scientists, and residents worry about their impact on the community and the environment. Alaska has seen a boom in the cruise industry, and many of the communities affected are Indigenous. We visit two Alaskan towns to see who’s really on board. SHOW NOTES: The dangers of the Alaskan cruise by Andrew Engelson Read the latest on Ship Free Saturdays Cruise Line Report Card The economics of cruises Can cruising be green? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

If you’re an American who likes to travel, you’ve undoubtedly been influenced by Rick Steves. He’s known for his guidebooks about visiting Europe on a budget. We sit down with the beloved travel writer and TV personality to hear about his new book — and reflect on his decades-long career, how he thinks travel media has changed, and his own impact on destinations around the world. SHOW NOTES: Rick Steves’ newest book, “On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer” Listen to Peak Travel host Tariro Mzezewa as a guest on Rick Steves’ podcast Travel host Rick Steves says he’s home safe after surgery Rick Steves’ website Rick Steves’ Europe YouTube channel Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

With an estimated 100,000 tourists heading to New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, we’re exploring a classic American pastime: the tailgate. Most people think of tailgating as a time for sharing beers and team spirit. But in this episode, we find out why tailgating motivates so many people to travel — and get to the heart of its culture. SHOW NOTES: Your ultimate guide to Super Bowl LIX Eagles-themed party buses take over South Philly tailgates Learn more about the history of the tailgate “Cardinal” by Mt. Joy Spice up your tailgate with these NOLA inspired recipes Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Social media has turned Bali’s shrines and temples into a playground for disrespectful tourists, but residents are fighting to preserve the island’s integrity. SHOW NOTES: Bali Influencer Backlash Intensifies Eat, Pray, Love Trailer When a tourist in Bali gets arrested, this is the woman they call Will the Instagram vs. Reality Trend Affect Tourism in Bali? Navicula band webpage Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The transition of Barcelona’s historic La Boqueria market from a place filled with fishmongers and specialty mushroom vendors to chain cafés and smoothie shops has made the city feel more and more like a theme park.SHOW NOTES: The Battle for the Boqueria History of the Boqueria 6 Ways the 1992 Olympics Transformed Barcelona The Disneyfication of Cities: Historic Centers as Amusement Parks for Tourists Interview with mushroom vendor Xavi Petras Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Because of inequities in passport and visa systems, Europeans and westerners can visit Africa with ease — but Africans themselves face hurdle after hurdle when trying to explore their own continent. SHOW NOTES: Why Traveling Around Africa is Difficult for Africans “The Popi Show” on Instagram Southern African countries plan to expand special tourist visa Would a visa-free Africa break down colonial-era borders? Emmanuel Iduma author page Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Venice has long been considered the poster child for overtourism in Europe. As ever-growing waves of tourists aboard boats and cruise ships jeopardize the delicate city, residents hope a new entry fee will offer relief. SHOW NOTES: The Moto Ondoso Reduction project Learn more about Venice’s tourist fee How Venice is sinking The housing crisis in Venice Responsible Tourism Partnership website Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The Olympics bring a burst of excitement to host cities, but in places like Rio de Janeiro, Sochi, and Atlanta, they often leave behind a legacy of displacement, worker exploitation, and blighted infrastructure. In Paris, will the 2024 games be any different?SHOW NOTES: The Long History of the Olympic Industry and Totalitarian Regimes 5 Key Issues Facing the Paris Olympics From Paris to Rio: the rising voices against the Olympics “It’s Like a War Zone”: How the Olympics nearly destroyed a Rio neighborhood Saccage 2024 Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Travel can do amazing things: broaden horizons, build relationships, and rejuvenate the soul. But often, those experiences come at a cost. This is Peak Travel, a new podcast from WHYY about how travel shapes communities in hot-spots around the world. We’ll share the wonder that comes with exploring new places, as well as the harm that our worst travel habits can cause. And we’ll try to figure out how we can do it better.Each episode transports you to a new destination. You’ll meet the people who call that place home, hear their stories, and come to understand how tourism has changed their everyday lives. Supported by rich, on-location sound from around the world, Peak Travel unpacks the $1.9 trillion travel industry and its impact on people and the planet. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices