The Economist: ‘The nation of Tuvalu, made up of nine tiny islands in the South Pacific, is not your usual holiday destination. (…) None of that was enough to dissuade Ted Nims, an American who recently spent a week there and, in the process, checked off another country on his list: his 191st. The UN has 193 member states. Mr Nims is among a growing number of “country counters” trying to visit them all.’

And: ‘So much time on the road may sound like solitary play. But hostels and homestays offer a lot of fun and social contact, says Carol Wong, a Malaysian who recently visited Samoa (her 142nd country). It is the “fancy hotel” that is “very lonely”, she says.’

As well: ‘The scourge of overtourism plays a part, too, as travellers want to skip packed piazzas.’

The fight against overtourism is being fought on many fronts.

(a sf 2146)