Too many people, not enough management: A look at the chaos of “overtourism” in the summer of 2024 –Associated Press
2024 is the first year in which global tourism set records since the pandemic. Wandering is surging, rather than leveling off, driven by lingering revenge travel, digital nomad campaigns and so-called “golden visas” driving skyrocketing housing prices. Anyone paying attention during this summer of overtourism knows the escalating consequences around the world: traffic jams in paradise. Reports of hospitality workers living in tents. And anti-tourism protests intended to shame visitors as they dine—or, as in Barcelona in July, douse them with water pistols. Locals are using the power of their numbers and social media to issue destination leaders an ultimatum: manage this issue better or we’ll scare away the tourists—who could spend their $11.1 trillion a year elsewhere
About 400 million people worldwide have had long Covid, researchers say –The New York Times
A new study reveals that about 6% of adults globally have experienced long Covid (and only about 7-10% have recovered from the symptoms after two years). The condition has put significant strain on patients and society—at a global economic cost of about $1 trillion a year. Worldwide, patient care is hampered by overburdened health systems and a lack of knowledge by medical professionals, some of whom erroneously consider the symptoms to be psychosomatic. There has been some progress in understanding the biological mechanisms behind long Covid, but many questions remain. The authors discussed several theories, including: fragments of virus remaining in the body, immune system dysregulation, inflammation and blood circulation problems, and microbiome imbalance
Economic and financial research into plummeting fertility rates should be getting urgent investor attention –Bloomberg
The columnist exhorts economists and investors to pay far more attention to plummeting fertility rates worldwide. As populations decline, the implications of fewer people are indeed alarming: it damages aggregate GDP growth, stretches public finances, etc
Why “Doing Nothing, Intentionally” Is Good for Us: The Rise of the Slow Living Movement –BBC
How does the idea of doing nothing for a year sound? No work, no emails, no striving or being productive. For many, such a thought might once have brought its own anxiety attack—work is status, earning money is achievement, and being busy is a brag. But these days, there has been a major vibe shift. Hustle is out, and rest is in. This article explores whether a slower, more mindful pace of life is the answer to stress, or whether it’s another unachievable lifestyle brag. Interviews the author of a new book on the trend who battled burnout with “a year of nothing”
A Striking Stat:
Globally, 40% of Gen Zs and 35% of millennials say they feel stressed all or most of the time.
Source: Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, surveying 23,000 respondents across 44 countries
