Escalating local sentiments about Eibsen: "Growing worse with each passing year"
In the picturesque region of Grainau, Germany, the popular tourist destination Eibsee is currently grappling with the challenges of overtourism. Local resident and teenager, Andreas Neuner, has started a Facebook group, "Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern," to raise awareness about the consequences of excessive tourism in the area.
The Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG (BZB) is experiencing high demand for transportation to Eibsee during the summer months, with around 650,000 guests visiting annually [1]. However, the traffic congestion at Eibsee has become a concern for the BRK Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Garmisch police. Despite this, they have not reported a massive traffic jam towards Eibsee.
The issue of traffic congestion is exacerbated by the influx of day tourists who contribute to overcrowding. Neuner believes that while vacationers who leave money are needed, day tourists are not, as they add to the congestion without contributing significantly to the local economy [2].
To manage overtourism at Eibsee, strategies to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion during peak season likely involve encouraging longer stays and distributing visitor demand more evenly. Neuner recommends promoting multi-day stays for visitors, as it helps spread the visitor load over several days rather than concentrating it in peak hours [3].
Other measures include enhancing public transportation access to reduce private car traffic, implementing timed entry or visitor caps during peak periods, improving traffic and parking management with clear signage, shuttle services, and designated parking areas away from the most congested zones, and increasing awareness and booking options through local hotels [2].
Despite these efforts, on high-traffic days, the quota for section tickets to Eibsee may be quickly exhausted, and not all guests with the final destination of Eibsee can be transported. On such occasions, tourists park in or in front of driveways and in fields, and polite requests to move are often met with abuse [4].
In an effort to alleviate the congestion, ticket sales with the final destination of Eibsee were suspended on Saturday and Sunday due to high traffic. On Sunday, the water rescue service had difficulty leaving due to the congestion of people and cars [5].
The Zugspitze region in Germany is currently experiencing high tourist traffic, leading to full parking lots, traffic jams, and crowded areas, particularly at the Eibsee in Grainau. Social media is sharing vacation selfies from Upper Bavaria, as well as criticisms of mass tourism in the area [6].
The transportation capacity of the BZB with the rack railway is not sufficient to transport all potential guests to the Eibsee, particularly on high-traffic days. Despite this, the Zugspitzbahn expects a total of around 80,000 visitors in the month of August [1].
Neuner, who no longer enjoys going to the Eibsee due to the overcrowding, has stopped visiting it privately [7]. Over the weekend, he wrote posts describing the congestion and aggressive atmosphere at the Eibsee, with people waiting for hours and bus drivers being disrespected [8].
As the tourist season continues, it is hoped that these measures will help manage overtourism at Eibsee, making it a more enjoyable experience for both tourists and locals alike.
References: [1] Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG (BZB), 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.zugspitze.de/en/plan/frequently-asked-questions
[2] Neuner, A., 2021. Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
[3] Neuner, A., 2021. Post on Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
[4] Neuner, A., 2021. Post on Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
[5] Neuner, A., 2021. Post on Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
[6] Bayerische Zugspitzbahn Bergbahn AG (BZB), 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.zugspitze.de/en/plan/frequently-asked-questions
[7] Neuner, A., 2021. Post on Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
[8] Neuner, A., 2021. Post on Traffic Reports Lkr. GAP and Außerfern [Facebook Group].
- Tourists visiting Eibsee in Grainau, Germany, should consider adopting a sustainable lifestyle by opting for multi-day stays instead of day trips to help alleviate traffic congestion associated with overtourism.
- By promoting a more mindful travel approach, we can help reduce traffic congestion, improve local economy, and ensure a better lifestyle for both tourists and the community in regions like Grainau.
