Is tourism ruining Bath? Guide Fodor’s suggests it might be time to introduce a TOURIST TAX for the Old Town, where weekend visitors outnumber locals (63 to one).

Is it time to abandon Bath as a tourist destination?

That’s the question leading travel guide Fodor’s Travel asked its readers as the ancient city – home to famous Roman baths and beautiful Georgian architecture – “struggles with the tourism it was simply not built for.” ‘. .

Samantha Priestley of Fodor’s Travel points out that during peak season and weekends the number of visitors exceeds 94,000 residents – 63 to one.

John Gower, chairman and chief executive of Dialect, a specialist games and technology agency based in Bath, tells her that a “vibrant, energetic cafe community” in the city center at weekends has a “shocking swarm of tourists”. become

Fodor’s Travel says: “The problem is tourists who don’t stay in the city long and don’t spend money.”

“Day trippers cause congestion on the roads and contribute little to the economy.” [They] “Many residents are frustrated and find their presence a nuisance.”

Although this opinion is not shared by everyone.

Libby Windle, founder of Shop Local Bath, tells Fodor’s: “I personally love that Bath has a busy tourism industry and that lots of different people from all over the world visit our beautiful city.”

“Of course, it can get crowded at times, which can be frustrating if you want to get from A to B quickly in the city center, by public transport or on foot, but it’s worth it.”

Fodor’s Travel suggests that a tourist tax “could create a more pleasant environment for conscious, thoughtful tourists to enjoy the city’s culture and history, and replace concerns about what tourism does to historic sites with funding for their preservation and protection of it.” .” . ‘.

Fodor’s Travel says: “The problem is tourists who don’t stay long and don’t spend money in the city.” [in Bath]’

Meanwhile, editors at Fodor’s Travel are considering whether to add Bath to the influential no-list – “places you absolutely must visit again” that are suffering from over-tourism.

The 2024 edition has just been published, as we reported. Watch this space to see if Bath makes it to the 2025 edition.

Of course, Bath is not the only English destination struggling with visitor numbers.

Earlier this year we reported how tourist hotspot Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds had to remind visitors that it is not a theme park – and that it does not “open and close”.

Rough Guides describes it as “one of the most romantic places in Britain”, while Bourton on the Water website Bourtoninfo.com tells visitors: “Bourton is not a theme park, it doesn’t open or close.” There is also no entry fee. . It is a vibrant town of around 4,000 people with lots of community groups, local events and fantastic small businesses.”

It continues: “This one village is known as the Venice of the Cotswolds and offers a wealth of attractions and shops, restaurants, cafes and tea rooms.” Or simply the place where you can enjoy a pleasant time, lost in the movement of the sparkling water of the Windrush River, spanned by its five arched bridges.”