Overtourism refers to the negative impact on the environment, economy, and local businesses when a destination becomes too popular. Japan, experiencing a surge in visitors due to its weakened Yen, has seen increased costs for imported goods, affecting the cost of living for residents. To address this, Japan now charges tourists higher prices than locals for eating at restaurants and visiting certain attractions. This measure aims to keep local businesses sustainable and ensure that residents can still afford local services and goods.
Vocabulary:
• Overtourism (noun): When too many people visit a place, causing problems.
• To charge (verb): To ask someone to pay a certain amount of money for something.
• A spot (noun): A particular place or location.
• To drive up (phrasal verb): To make something go higher or increase.
• To afford (verb): To have enough money to pay for something.
• Taxes (noun): Money that people have to pay to the government.
• Attractions (noun): Places that tourists visit because they are interesting or beautiful
• Currency (noun): The system of money used in a country.
• Imported (adjective): Brought into a country from another country.
• Two-tiered (adjective): Having two levels or prices.
Source: Behind the News YouTube channel.