In recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to travel. While travelling offers noticeable mental health benefits, I believe that it does more harm than good due to its environmental and financial drawbacks.

Proponents of travelling cite various reasons to support their stance. They assert that if people travel abroad, they can find momentary respite from common worries like job responsibilities, family duties, and academic pressures, thereby reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. This, in turn, can heighten a sense of happiness and fulfillment, eventually improving overall quality of life. In a world dominated by chronic depression and burnout due to demanding workloads, tight deadlines, and frequent standardized tests, travelling abroad can make a big difference when it comes to providing much-needed emotional catharsis.

Despite its emotional benefits, in my view, travelling brings more harm than good. As tourism grows, so does the demand for transportation methods such as airplanes or private cars. This increasing dependency on vehicles and public transit systems contributes significantly to carbon emissions, intensifying the greenhouse effect and exacerbating the impacts of climate change. At a time when countries grapple with pressing environmental issues like air pollution, the widespread availability of tourism may worsen the existing challenges related to sustainability. A good case in point is Venice, Italy, where overtourism has led to severe environmental degradation, including water pollution in its iconic canals due to overcrowding.

Beyond environmental issues, travelling poses financial challenges. People who travel abroad often incur significant expenses for flights, accommodations, and groceries, straining their financial resources and putting their financial stability in jeopardy. As a result, they might find it harder to cover basic needs, provide for their families, and save up for future emergencies, leading to a financial burden. This is especially detrimental for those from low-income families who need to stabilize their income to break the cycle of poverty.

In conclusion, although travelling abroad can provide emotional advantages, I believe that it brings more harm than good owing to its environmental and financial problems.