How to be a good traveler in the 'overtourism' era

In Paris, the Louvre Museum closed for a day last week because workers said the crowds were too big to handle. In the Himalayas, climbers at Mount Qomolangma are concerned that the peak has gotten too crowded, contributing to the highest death toll in years.

In cities and destinations around the world, from Barcelona to Bali, "overtourism" has become a year-round problem.

When fields of wildflowers in Lake Elsinore, California, were overrun this spring by tourists seeking the perfect photo, the city tweeted bluntly about the impact of traffic jams and trampled hillsides: "We know it has been miserable and has caused unnecessary hardships for our entire community."