A common problem for tourist hot spots is the crowds of tourists that flock a city or location and might bother the locals or damage the surroundings and historical areas. Below are a few tips on how to avoid mass tourism and travel more sustainably:

• Visit locations outside of peak periods. Whether it is a city, attraction, restaurant or hotel they rather have you visit during the quieter times, which is usually more beneficial and cheaper for you as a tourist as well.
  
  
• There is more to see! Explore and choose alternative attractions and locations while visiting, not only the top five that are listed in the guidebooks.
  
  
• Act like a local. By blending in and doing things that locals do rather than visiting another sight like all other tourists you get both an unique and sustainable experience.
  
  
• Choose wisely. Low cost airlines and accommodation services may offer cheap deals but they also make use of loopholes in policies and restrictions, which burdens the industry and hinders the sustainable tourism efforts. By choosing the bit more expensive alternative you thereby often get the more sustainable option as well.

Read the whole article here