Summary
- Venice now imposes a tax on day-trippers to limit visits, protecting the city from the effects of mass tourism.
- The Canary Islands have banned cruise ships from popular beaches in a bid to combat the threat of overtourism.
- Glacier National Park requires timed entry reservations for private vehicles due to increasing visitor numbers.
From Stunning UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Italy At the most beautiful natural wonders of the United StatesThe world is full of must-see destinations that attract different types of tourists. While local communities benefit greatly from tourism, popular tourist destinations are overwhelmed by large numbers of visitors, exceeding their sustainable limits, which in turn leads to negative impacts on the environment.
That’s why tourist destinations around the world are increasingly resorting to various measures to reduce the number of tourists. Some destinations have been imposing these restrictions for decades, while others are just starting to do so. Here are seven popular destinations that are limiting the number of visitors due to overtourism.
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7 Venice, Italy
The canal city now charges a small fee to day-trippers to limit visits
Venice, Italy
Also known as the “City of Canals,” Venice is famous for many reasons, including its beautiful streets, gorgeous bridges, gondola rides, and fun events. With so many amazing things for couples to do there, Venice is one of the The Best Destinations for a Romantic City Getaway. But it is one of the places in the world that has long suffered from overtourism, attracting more than 20 million travelers each year.
The level of tourism that the city experiences has affected the residents who reside there, which is why it has finally implemented a measure to limit tourism. The city now charges 5 euros for day trippers as a measure to protect against mass tourism.
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Best time to visit |
April to October (the most expensive and busiest time to visit); try November to February for a budget trip |
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Scenic attractions |
St. Mark's BasilicaSt. Mark's Square, Ducal Palace |
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Annual number of visitors |
More than 20 million |
Venice is crowded, try Treviso instead. This lesser-known city has beautiful canals, just like Venice, but offers a peaceful atmosphere and lower transport costs.
6 Canary Islands, Spain
These islands have reduced the number of ships able to dock at popular beaches
View of Las Teresitas and the village of San Andres, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
The Canary Islands are renowned for their wide variety of unique natural attractions and some of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. They are also rich in history and culture. Mass tourism has had many repercussions on these islands, including threatening marine life and other natural areas.
In addition, locals are being hit by rising property prices and many groups have staged protests against mass tourism, claiming that they are not benefiting from mass tourism. Cruise ships are now banned from docking at the islands' popular beaches and the government is considering limiting visitor numbers in the future.
5 Glacier National Park, Montana, United States
Private vehicles require a timed reservation to enter the park
Hidden Lake Trail, Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
One of the the most popular national parks in the united statesWelcoming nearly 3 million travelers each year, Glacier National Park is known for its glaciers, alpine meadows, beautiful lakes, and more. The number of visitors to the park has increased dramatically, with a new record being set nearly every year. Additionally, these visits are concentrated in a few months when roads are open and snow has melted, further straining the park’s resources.
While tourism in the park is beneficial to local communities, overtourism has also threatened the well-being of the park's natural wonders. Private vehicles must now book entry in advance to access the park. The road to the sunthe North Fork region and the Many Glacier region.
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Best time to visit |
Between July and September for a comfortable temperature |
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Scenic attractions |
Lake Sainte-Marie, Grinnell Glacier, Logan Pass |
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Annual number of visitors |
4 Athens, Greece
The city has reduced the number of tourists visiting the Acropolis to 20,000 per day
Famous for being one of the oldest cities in the worldAthens has a long history of over 3,000 years and is popular for its impressive sightseeing opportunities. It also offers mouthwatering cuisine, a vibrant nightlife and a wonderful climate. It is among the popular destinations that are limiting the number of visitors due to overtourism. The number of visits to the Acropolis, the city's most popular archaeological site, has been reduced to 20,000 per day.
3 Okinawa, Japan
The number of travelers visiting Iriomote has been limited to 1,200 per day
Although Japan's beaches are completely underrated, Okinawa is a very well-known beach destination and one of its most beautiful stretches of sand, Aharen Beach was recently named the 13th best beach in the world. However, its continued growth as a world-renowned tourist destination has also come with many challenges, including overtourism, which has led to inconveniences such as traffic jams, waste, congestion and the threat to unique flora and fauna.
A tourist limit of 1,200 travelers per day has recently been introduced in Iriomotean island located south of the prefecture. This measure aims to prevent overtourism, which has affected the local ecosystem and residents.
2 Maya Bay, Thailand
Thailand's most beautiful beach has limited tourists, limited visiting time and no swimming allowed
Maya Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and, unfortunately, among places that have already felt the effects of overtourismNestled on Phi Phi Leh, the southernmost island of the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Beach became world famous after being featured in the 2000 film “The Beach,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Famous for its spectacular natural scenery and ecological importance, this beach is opening in 2024 after being closed from 2018 to 2022 for rehabilitation. The beach remains closed for 2 months per year to continue natural restoration.
Up to 300 travelers can go to the beach at a time and they are only allowed to stay for a maximum of one hour. Swimming is prohibited to protect the corals. In addition, boats are only allowed to dock at the new docks and not on the shores of Maya Beach.
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Best time to visit |
From November to April |
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Scenic attractions |
Ao Lo Dalam, viking cave, Hat Yao |
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Annual number of visitors |
At its peak, the beach attracted between 8,000 and 9,000 people a day. |
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1 Lord Howe Island, Australia
This island has a limited number of visitors
Famous for its incredible geology, numerous bird species, unique plants and colourful marine life, Lord Howe Island is one of the the most beautiful tropical islands near australiaIt has always been known as a “treasure island”, thanks to its breathtaking surroundings, and there are multiple unique natural wonders to discoverfrom Mount Gower to the Banyan Tree.
It is one of the most popular destinations that limit the number of visitors in order to protect its endangered endemic species of plants and animals. The island has had a limit of 400 tourists at a time for over 40 years.
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Best time to visit |
From September to May |
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Scenic attractions |
Lagoon Beach, Ned's Beach, Mount Gower |
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Annual number of visitors |
Although many travelers choose to explore this island between September and May, winter (June to August) is also a wonderful time to visit, as it offers an incredible selection of unique adventures, showcasing its impressive diversity.
