On a more encapsulated period, tourism dynamics have changed dramatically across the world, with somewhat opposite trends developing between Asia versus Europe. Just look at South Korea, or any of the other Asian countries experiencing a boom in tourist information centers. In sharp contrast, Scotland has committed to shutting down all of its centers by the end of 2025. The two different approaches exemplify the balance between meeting the changing needs of modern travelers and the rising overtourism and roadway safety crises.
In 2015, South Korea had around 300 tourist information centers, a figure that has more than doubled since then. Travelers near Asian markets, particularly South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, are looking for more step-by-step direction. This expansion is an obvious example of that growing demand. Scotland is telling the world it’s gonna shut down its TICs. This recent decision would make it even more difficult for international visitors to safely and easily travel our nation’s roads.
Scotland’s Road Safety Concerns
Scotland’s recent decision to close their tourist information centers comes at a time when many are raising the alarm over road safety. The A9, Scotland’s longest road, is a notoriously dangerous stretch for drivers. The highway changes at times from one to three lanes, further confusing the unsuspecting non-local driver. With almost 50 deaths in the last decade on this path, safety activists began sounding the alarm.
Robert Marshall, a hotelier in the Scottish Highlands and president of the Road Safety Foundation. In King’s case, he’s taken a number of proactive steps to address this key issue. He created the first statewide “tourist plates,” a creative solution to the growing problem of deadly crashes caused by overseas drivers. The new initiative follows concerning statistics announced by Transport Scotland last week. In May 2025, researchers stumbled onto a shocking trend. Collisions with international drivers driving on the wrong side of the road increased 46% in just one single year.
“I was completely stressed, I was driving on the opposite side of the road from what I’m used to,” – Source unspecified.
Many tourists echo similar sentiments. One driver recounted their experience of feeling pressured while navigating unfamiliar roads:
“I couldn’t read the signs, but everybody was tailgating me. I shouted at my partner, ‘I wish these people knew I was a tourist, because they would just stay away from my car.’” – Source unspecified.
A Shift in Tourism Strategies
It is an issue Europe is facing with a rapid decline in tourist information centers. Meanwhile, Asian countries are doubling down on these centers as integral pieces of their tourism ecosystems. Xiang Li, a hospitality expert from Hong Kong, noted that Asian tourists generally value structured guidance and interpersonal explanations during their travels.
Visitor information kiosks, like these in Surabaya, Indonesia, can give tourists quick access to maps and travel brochures. They provide very personal, hand-crafted service based on each traveler’s specific interests. This approach is a far cry from the European scene, where many tourist information centers are going the way of dinosaurs.
In response to overtourism in these other European cities, local governments have implemented tighter restrictions and increased fines to discourage rowdy touristic behavior. For instance, a couple recently faced fines and bans after swimming in Venice’s Grand Canal, illustrating the challenges cities face in managing increasing visitor numbers.
The Impact of “Flag-Jacking” and Direct Flights
Today, as international travel makes a strong recovery, several new trends have developed that are shaping traveler intentions and actions. One of these trends is known as “flag-jacking,” which is when American travelers put Canadian flags on their vehicles to prevent being targeted while traveling internationally. This has led to widespread Asian-Canadian outrage among people who believe their national identity is being co-opted.
In fact, a Chinese airline, Hainan Airlines, has recently inaugurated a direct Shanghai-Buenos Aires route that takes 29 hours. This shift sheds light on the increasing globalization of travel routes and improved connectivity between remote destinations.
