A councillor has slammed ‘TikTok tourists’ heading to ‘The Venice of England’ for ‘exploiting the destination’s heritage for clicks’ but tourists have hit back
Claims that a Cotswold village, often referred to as ‘The Venice of England’, is being ‘ruined’ by TikTokers have been refuted by tourists. District councillor Jon Wareing has voiced concerns that Bourton-on-the-Water is under threat from “TikTok tourists” who “exploit the destination’s heritage for clicks”.
Cllr Wareing alleges that the residents of the beautiful village about a 90 minute drive out of London are being ‘bullied and violated’ by individuals merely seeking an Instagram-worthy photo. He stated: “This kind of visitor tends to have little real interest in the heritage, culture or natural environment they are exploiting for clicks. They are the ultimate hit-and-run tourists.”
However, business owners and tourists have responded, stating they see no issue with TikTokers and those taking photographs. Tourist Aisha Kazmi, 27, originally from Pakistan but now residing in Leeds, argued that TikTokers should be respected as long as their videos are produced in a “positive way”.
She commented: “If TikTokers are promoting it as a tourist attraction but not acknowledging it as a residential area and a place of culture then that is not good. So as long as they are creating videos in a positive manner, I believe that is acceptable.”
Her friend Qazi Ahmed, 26, also from Pakistan but living in Dublin, suggested that TikTok could actually help to promote the village. He remarked: “You are free to take photos as long as you’re not disturbing other tourists. Creating a TikTok video is beneficial because it’s essentially promoting the area, but as long as you’re promoting without causing disruption or invading the privacy of other tourists, I believe it’s fine. He added that visitors can both enjoy the heritage and create their own material.
“I’d go anywhere and get memories, take photos and videos, that’s what we’re here for,” Emily James, 30, who travelled from Cirencester said: ”A lot of things are done for likes nowadays and all of these platforms.
“If you are going to do that [TikToks] here at least give back to the community. That’s what I would do. I am wandering about snapping pictures but obviously I have been in the shops and purchased a few bits and bobs and I think that’s what’s important.” She added that showcasing the village by sharing photographs and clips on social media is not “necessarily a negative thing”.
John Hennessy, 60, proprietor of Bourton Riverside Cafe, said TikTokers and people capturing videos and photographs cause “no impact at all”. He said: “Videos being made usually on the bridge don’t ruin anything and they are so few and far between I don’t think they cause an impact at all. I think they are making a mountain out of a molehill.
“It doesn’t seem like an issue. It is a sign of the times. You go back 30 or 40 years and people would be taking their cameras here. Now things have progressed, people are on TikTok and got their Instagram.”
Ian Moriarty, proprietor of Quirky and The Little Nook, said Bourton has always been a bustling tourist hotspot. He said that visitors creating TikToks and snapping photographs is something occurring throughout the Cotswolds and the globe, adding that it is ‘normal’.
“The vast majority of visitors come and value and respect the stunning landscape and the heritage,” he said. “With the weather being so lovely this summer it has meant that there’s been a rise in the number of holidaymakers but I don’t think it’s quite the issue he’s describing.”
Mr Moriarty said that without tourists Bourton would become a “ghost town”. “Certain people have got a problem with Bourton getting busier,” he added. “Without tourists there wouldn’t be any businesses and Bourton-on-the-Water would turn into a ghost town.
“From the local residents that I speak to whilst the busy summer season can be frustrating and challenging due to traffic. But overall most local residents that I know and speak to want the tourists coming because then they have the services and the shops to enjoy.
Cllr Wareing had voiced worry over the wellbeing of local residents, as increasing numbers of people have descended upon the village to snap pictures and create content for TikTok and social media. He said: “When people are denied social connection, it has an impact on their mental and physical health.
“One person I’ve been speaking to has decided to leave the village because she finds it unbearable. This person is not alone – many people are now saying enough is enough.”
Cllr Wareing said the problem has been “accelerating for decades” .He said: “Our residents are being denied their local experience: the village is being besieged. This kind of visitor tends to have little real interest in the heritage, culture or natural environment they are exploiting for clicks. They are the ultimate hit-and-run tourists”.
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