"As I walked down the busy Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts, a man dressed as a scary clown popped out from behind a corner, startling tourists before posing for selfies with them. Just down the block, kids with backpacks walked home from school, weaving through crowds of tourists snapping photos. One moment felt like a horror movie, while the next felt like a basic slice of everyday life."
"A popular fall destination, the city attracts over a million tourists each year, with the majority arriving in September or October. Like many others, I made sure my visit was in autumn so I could soak up the vibrant New England fall foliage, lean into the Halloween spirit of major attractions - like ghost tours - and explore the history of witch trials that has shaped the city's identity."
Salem experiences intense seasonal tourism, with over a million annual visitors concentrated in September and October. Visitors come for fall foliage, Halloween attractions, ghost tours, and sites tied to witch trial history. The influx fuels the local economy and supports jobs and small businesses, but it also overwhelms residents and disrupts daily life. Crowded streets, costumed performers, and tourists photographing public spaces create friction with locals and complicate routine activities like children walking home from school. Even visitors who spend money and tip performers can contribute to the strain. Mindful, respectful tourist behavior is necessary to reduce negative impacts on residents.
Read at Business Insider
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