The Know Daily - Wednesday 21 May 2025

_{Read in 4m 32s ∙ Listening to Gracie Abrams ∙}

In Bern, Switzerland, some commuters have found a unique way to start their day: by floating down the Aare River to work. Equipped with waterproof bags and a sense of adventure, they let the current carry them to their destinations. It's a refreshing twist on the daily grind that combines practicality with a splash of joy. Who knew the morning commute could be so buoyant?

✈️ Overtourism: what it is (and why it matters)

A quick guide to why some destinations are asking tourists to take the scenic route elsewhere.

What even is overtourism?
Travel’s one of the best things we can do – it broadens our horizons, supports local economies, and connects us to the world beyond our bubble. But sometimes, when too many people fall in love with the same place at the same time, things get a little crowded. That’s overtourism – and it can put pressure on everything from local transport and housing to natural landscapes and cultural landmarks. It’s not just about big crowds; it can drive up prices, strain resources, and even make life harder for the people who actually live there. It can also take a real toll on the environment from eroded hiking trails to litter in beauty spots.

How bad is it really?
It depends on the destination. In Venice, authorities have introduced a €5 entry fee for day-trippers. Barcelona’s cracked down on short-term rentals. Amsterdam banned new tourist shops. Japan’s added daily limits to Mount Fuji. In places like Cornwall and Iceland, small towns are struggling to keep up with summer surges. And thanks to ‘selfie tourism’, hidden gems don’t stay hidden for long. In more rural or coastal areas, the environmental effects are particularly visible with wildlife disruption and increased emissions from traffic and flights.

How could this affect me?
In some places, overtourism is already changing the rules with new tourist taxes, daily visitor caps, and limits on holiday lets. Planning ahead, avoiding peak times, and exploring lesser-known areas could make your trip smoother and more rewarding. And as climate change awareness rises, more destinations are looking at sustainability as a key part of tourism – meaning how you travel could soon impact where (and how easily) you can go. Travel isn’t the problem – but how we do it makes all the difference.

Ok, so what can I do about it?
This isn’t about guilt-tripping globetrotters – it’s about making more thoughtful choices, like:

🗓️ Going off-season, or visit mid-week (fewer crowds, better photos, often cheaper)
🗺 Swapping TikTok-famous spots for lesser-known ones (you might enjoy them more)
🛏 Staying local and independent – think guesthouses, B&Bs, or family-run hotels
🌿 Offsetting your carbon footprint – or even better, choosing lower-emission transport where possible (trains > planes!)
🚶‍♀️ Walking, taking public transport, and trying to leave no trace behind
💬 Being mindful of local customs – and volume levels (we’re guests, after all!)

Here’s a good listen for an even deeper dive.

💸 Funding fuel: Ministers are considering whether to reverse the decision to cut winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners.

• The bigger story: The move comes after the Chancellor's decision to limit winter fuel payments to those receiving means-tested benefits, aiming to save £1.4b. An announcement could come as soon as the June 11 spending review with a policy change aiming to address concerns over the impact on vulnerable pensioners. It could see the government adjust income thresholds or restore payments.

🐬 Dolphin discussions: A $100k prize for communicating with animals has been scooped up by a US team for discovering a dolphin call that could be used as an alarm signal.

🏡 Housing hope: Up to 500 new homes are going to be given to homeless Londoners as part of mayor Sadiq Khan's plan to eradicate rough sleeping by 2030.

🏃 Remarkable run: William Goodge has broken the world record for running the width of Australia in just over a month, and raised money for cancer charities along the way. He completed his run by laying a bouquet of flowers at the shoreline in memory of his late mother.

👏 Seminal selection: Princess Opeyemi Bright has made history by becoming the youngest mayor in the UK after officially taking office at just 29 years old.

🐷 It’s a girl: Peppa Pig’s mother has delivered a girl, Evie, weighing eight bundles of snuggles at birth. She will make her big screen debut on 30 May. (Believe it or not, this has been one of the larger headlines this week – wild we know!)

🌷 Beautiful blooms: The Chelsea Flower Show 2025 showcases innovative, practical gardens, including Monty Don's dog-friendly design and a composting toilet garden, reflecting a shift towards sustainability and functionality in horticulture. Oh that reminds me – I must water my house plant!

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Trivia answer: C) Nicki Minaj got the top spot – here’s why.

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