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Fodor's revealed the destinations tourists should consider visiting in 2025 – and a travel bucket list Bali and a famous Scottish road trips are on the list of things not to do.
The publisher of the travel guide identified 15 “No” locations “suffering from untenable popularity” alongside its annual “Go” list of recommendations.
At the top of the “non-permanent list” is IndonesiaThis is Bali, where overtourism has created a “plastic apocalypse,” Fodor’s said.
With 5.3 million international visitors in 2023, Balinese beaches that were once pristine are now buried under nearly 303,000 tonnes of plastic waste.
Kristin Winkaffe, sustainable travel expert, said: “Overtourism affects the very heart of Balinese life. »
“Without change, we risk much more than beautiful landscapes: we risk losing our cultural identity itself,” she added.
Adventure tourism in Mount Everest was also warned due to the volume of waste and the risks to local workers.
Barcelona, Majorca and the Canary Islands have all been designated as “European destinations where the locals don't want you” due to this summer's tourist protests, while Venice And Lisbon made the list for new day-tripper entrance fees and lack of accommodation, respectively.
Travelers have been warned for the second year against vacationing at Koh Samui In Thailand amidst the fears of the crowd once The White Lotus premieres in 2025. Experts fear that increased traffic will “exacerbate existing problems”, including waste management and water supply on the island.
As for destinations “starting to suffer” the British Virgin Islands, Kerala in India, Japanese cities of Kyoto, Tokyo and Oaxaca in Mexico have all been identified as being ones to watch before “it’s too late”.
Fodor's declared that the Italian capital of culture for 2025, Agrigento in Sicilyis facing a “serious water crisis which could be further aggravated by increased tourism”.
In the UNITED KINGDOMthe famous Scotland North Coast 500 The road trip loop has become “too popular”, believes the publisher. Traffic-clogged roads and lack of adequate camping facilities pose problems for residents.
According to Fodor's: “Destinations on the No List deserve the fame and adoration they receive. They are worth your time and money. Yet the myriad challenges they face are both real and urgent.
“Fodor's is not advocating travel boycotts: they harm local economies and fail to bring about meaningful change. But we believe the first step to mitigating a problem is recognizing that a problem exists. The No List serves to highlight destinations where tourism is putting unsustainable pressure on local land and communities.
Fodor’s 2025 Travel “Nos” List
Perennial without list:
- Bali, Indonesia
- European destinations where locals don't want you – Barcelona, Majorca, Venice, Canary Islands and Lisbon
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Mount Everest
Destinations are starting to suffer:
- Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
- British Virgin Islands
- Kerala, India
- Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan
- Oaxaca, Mexico
- North Coast of Scotland 500
For more news and travel tips, listen to Simon Calder's podcast