Overtourism, Adršpach (2019)

Czech Press Photo 2019 - second place at the Reportage category. Overtourism becomes a big phenomenon for more and more places in the world. In the Czech Republic, the most affected areas are Prague, Český Krumlov and Andršpach Teplice Rocks. Crowds of visitors fill picturesque gorges in Adršpach especially during sunny weekends or public holidays. The same situation was on the 15th of August, on the Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary in close Poland. Carparks were overcrowded, the police were closing the access roads. The locals reminded themselves a fundamental question: How to regulate influx of visitors but do not lose the income of tourism?

Jammed gorge at the Adrspach Teplice Rocks. (Chronicles of Narnia were filmed there). August 15th, 2019.
A group of tourists, visiting Adrspach Teplice Rocks during the Day of Assumption of the Virgin Mary, August 15th, 2019.

The Adršpach Teplice Rocks are an unusual set of sandstone formations covering 17 km2 in northeastern Bohemia, Czech Republic. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).
Despite the tourists may visit the rocks via a number of marked trails and the area is a really popular destination, there is only a small parking. It used to be full and closed during the busy days. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).
Crowds at Adrspach train station, near entrance to the rocks. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).

In the drowned qarry there is possibility to take a cruise on a barge that sails on the waters of the romantic lake. The bargue cruises were completely occupied all that day. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).
The Big Waterfall falls into a rock gorge from the height of 16 metres. Everybody wants to take a selfie in the gorge and the entrance is jammed. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).

Long line of vistors waiting for a boat trip. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).
They say you can immerse yourself in the real-life locations seen on screen in the fantasy film The Chronicles of Narnia here. But not today. Actually, you can immerse only in the crowds. (Adrspach, August 15th, 2019).

Tomáš Vocelka

Overtourism, Adršpach (2019)