Nantucket residents say influencers are ruining their secluded island's charm

Key Points:

• Nantucket, a small luxury island off Massachusetts, is experiencing a surge in tourism, leading to overcrowding, noise, and frustration among longtime residents who feel the island is losing its rustic charm.
• The island's limited accessibility—only reachable by ferry or plane—has historically kept visitor numbers manageable, but recent years have seen an estimated 2 million annual visitors, intensifying local concerns.
• Some local businesses, like Four Winds Craft Guild, have expressed annoyance with social media influencers using their shops as photo backdrops, prompting a "No Influencers" sign that sparked debate about the island's evolving culture.
• Community groups have proposed measures to control overcrowding, including designated visiting hours and the hiring of "bluff docents" to monitor activity, though more restrictive suggestions like turnstiles were not approved.
• The island's small size and growing popularity, amplified by social media exposure, have transformed Nantucket from a hidden gem into a highly trafficked destination, causing tension between preserving its character and accommodating visitors.