This town's sign has everyone arguing: ‘We want to live without drama’
- Replies 3
In the picturesque town of Denmark, Western Australia, a simple sign has sparked a fiery debate resonating with communities across the country.
The message was clear, if not provocative: 'Hometown, not tourist town!'
Placed conspicuously on the edge of a property, it didn't take long for the sign to become a flashpoint for a broader discussion on the impacts of tourism on small towns.
The sign, which the Shire of Denmark council has since removed, tapped into a sentiment about this idyllic locale.
With its stunning natural beauty and serene atmosphere, Denmark has seen a significant uptick in visitors, particularly since the pandemic.
This surge in popularity, however, has come with its own challenges.
Locals have voiced concerns over the lack of accommodation and infrastructure to support the growing number of tourists.
The debate reached a boiling point when the sign was shared on social media, with hundreds of reactions and comments pouring in.
‘As a Denmark local I am embarrassed by this sign. Please come to our beautiful town and enjoy its beauty and hospitality and support our local businesses. Please ignore the ignorant few,’ one local said.
‘Love people who think their town would be so much better without tourists in it when the only reason the town survives is that tourist cash,’ another responded.
On the other side of the argument, some sympathise with the sign's message, longing for the peace of living in a remote area.
‘Many people are not interested in tourism dollars…that’s why they live in isolated places. [We] just want to live without drama, simply living peacefully,’ a person said.
‘There should be a cap on how many tourists are allowed in,’ a local argued.
A local business owner, preferring to remain anonymous, shed light on the situation, explaining that Denmark's ‘distance’ from Perth—a five-hour drive—used to deter many visitors.
However, with the rise of domestic travel during the pandemic and the increasing cost of living, Denmark has been 'discovered' by a broader audience.
‘All of a sudden, Denmark was discovered, and we've had a huge influx of people,’ they said.
This Easter long weekend was a testament to the town's growing appeal, with visitors arriving in droves, some without prior accommodation bookings, leading to impromptu requests to camp on residents' lawns.
‘We just don't have the infrastructure to cater for the huge volume of people,’ they said.
The infrastructure, according to the business owner, is struggling to keep pace with the visitor boom. Yet, they also acknowledged that ‘you can’t stop progress’ and that tourism is ‘good for the town’ and ‘economy’.
The local council, for its part, is embracing Denmark's newfound popularity, saying, ‘Denmark is a beautiful place to visit.’
Aside from towns, tourists have also seen ‘cool things’ in Australia.
In a previous story, an American tourist shared her amazement when she found something that’s a common sight at supermarkets. You can read more about the story here.
Have you visited towns like Denmark, where the local sentiment is divided over-tourism? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below.
The message was clear, if not provocative: 'Hometown, not tourist town!'
Placed conspicuously on the edge of a property, it didn't take long for the sign to become a flashpoint for a broader discussion on the impacts of tourism on small towns.
The sign, which the Shire of Denmark council has since removed, tapped into a sentiment about this idyllic locale.
With its stunning natural beauty and serene atmosphere, Denmark has seen a significant uptick in visitors, particularly since the pandemic.
A sign in Denmark has raised concerns because of the increasing tourism in the area. Credit: Facebook
This surge in popularity, however, has come with its own challenges.
Locals have voiced concerns over the lack of accommodation and infrastructure to support the growing number of tourists.
The debate reached a boiling point when the sign was shared on social media, with hundreds of reactions and comments pouring in.
‘As a Denmark local I am embarrassed by this sign. Please come to our beautiful town and enjoy its beauty and hospitality and support our local businesses. Please ignore the ignorant few,’ one local said.
‘Love people who think their town would be so much better without tourists in it when the only reason the town survives is that tourist cash,’ another responded.
On the other side of the argument, some sympathise with the sign's message, longing for the peace of living in a remote area.
‘Many people are not interested in tourism dollars…that’s why they live in isolated places. [We] just want to live without drama, simply living peacefully,’ a person said.
‘There should be a cap on how many tourists are allowed in,’ a local argued.
A local business owner, preferring to remain anonymous, shed light on the situation, explaining that Denmark's ‘distance’ from Perth—a five-hour drive—used to deter many visitors.
However, with the rise of domestic travel during the pandemic and the increasing cost of living, Denmark has been 'discovered' by a broader audience.
‘All of a sudden, Denmark was discovered, and we've had a huge influx of people,’ they said.
This Easter long weekend was a testament to the town's growing appeal, with visitors arriving in droves, some without prior accommodation bookings, leading to impromptu requests to camp on residents' lawns.
‘We just don't have the infrastructure to cater for the huge volume of people,’ they said.
The infrastructure, according to the business owner, is struggling to keep pace with the visitor boom. Yet, they also acknowledged that ‘you can’t stop progress’ and that tourism is ‘good for the town’ and ‘economy’.
The local council, for its part, is embracing Denmark's newfound popularity, saying, ‘Denmark is a beautiful place to visit.’
Aside from towns, tourists have also seen ‘cool things’ in Australia.
In a previous story, an American tourist shared her amazement when she found something that’s a common sight at supermarkets. You can read more about the story here.
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