North Shore, B.C.— Is our zest for wanderlust worth it? As travellers return to the skies and tourists flood iconic destinations, the upcoming January 29 North Shore Reads event will tackle the question on everyone’s mind: how much does travel truly cost—beyond the price of a ticket? Acclaimed broadcaster and author Steve Burgess (Reservations: The Pleasures & Perils of Travel) and award-winning journalist and author Marsha Lederman (Kiss the Red Stairs: The Holocaust, Once Removed) will navigate the pleasures and pitfalls of modern tourism.
This ongoing conversation hits close to home for many North Shore residents, where many local attractions draw tourists from all over. As these landmarks grapple with reputations as “overpriced tourist traps,” locals and visitors wonder: can tourism enrich communities without eroding their essence, and is sustainable tourism even possible?
Since the release of Reservations in early 2024, Burgess has observed new and evolving challenges in the travel industry. “We’ve seen a backlash against international tourism in many European cities and policy changes like Air Canada and WestJet’s cabin baggage rules,” he notes. “These shifts are part of the bigger conversation about how travel affects culture, communities, and the environment.”
Drawing on his trademark wit and decades of travel experiences, Burgess will share practical tips for travellers looking to lighten their environmental footprint and reduce strain on communities like ours. His perspective is informed by a career of capturing the quirks and complexities of global travel. “Not all my favourite moments made it into the book,” he teases. “For instance, my first trip to Paris taught me an invaluable lesson: maybe don’t travel with friends.”
In its fourth year, North Shore Reads has become an online literary event that brings thought-provoking authors and readers together for free. Hosted by the North Vancouver District Public Library, North Vancouver City Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library, this year’s event promises to be no exception.