10 Places Most Affected by Overtourism
As worldwide tourism has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, some destinations started to feel the burden of over-tourism more than others. But what is tourism, exactly?
Over tourism is a relatively new term, coined in 2012 by UN Tourism to describe a phenomenon when a specific place receives an influx of visitors, far above its capacity. Over-tourism has a slew of negative effects which degrade the quality of life for residents and put a significant strain on infrastructure and the environment.
But, over-tourism also helps create jobs and gives a destination name recognition, albeit at the expense of the comfort of its locals. Many people in destinations where visitation has exploded say that their quality of life has suffered, as a result.
You don’t have to look far to find an example of over-tourism. While cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona Rome, and Venice have been at the forefront of this issue, many other destinations struggle with excessive visitation, that far outweighs its capacity.
For instance, popular national parks in the United States, like Zion, Yosemite, and Joshua Tree have seen a drastic spike in visitation which resulted in increased food traffic and congestion trails; while Europe’s historic landmarks like the Trevi Fountain in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens and Dubrovnik’s Old Town, have been under pressure, especially in the busy summer season, when enjoying these places can be a challenge because of the sheer amount of people.
1. Zion National Park
Zion is one of Utah’s most crowded national parks, with 4.6 million visitors annually- down from 5 million in 2021. Zion is home to one of the most scenic canyons in the country, as well as numerous mesas and plateaus. It’s also a treasure trove of Southwest beauty.
While 4.6 million people may not sound like a huge number, the park covers a mere 148,733 acres which means space is tight. The increased visitation has caused multiple issues in the park from trail erosion, to traffic congestion, and littering. It took away from the peace and tranquility that this national park once had.
In 2022, the park started a pilot program requiring a permit to hike Angels Landing, a popular overlook that can be reached via a strenuous hike along a series of switchbacks.
While the visitation numbers are down, Zion remains one of the most visited national parks in the United States only behind Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and the largest city in the state where most tourists first land when they come to this part of the United States.
Hawaii has been grappling with the consequences of over-tourism for years, exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing for locals and increased price gauging for tourists. With no solution in sight, many in Hawaii, say that tourism brings more problems than benefits.
It’s a delicate issue, because tourism makes up a quarter of Hawaii’s economy, with many businesses depending on the constant flow of visitors. If you plan to visit Hawaii, a good approach to minimizing the impact is supporting local businesses including stores, restaurants, and local vendors.
3. Bali, Indonesia
The Island of Gods is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia thanks to its breathtaking landscapes and fascinating Balinese culture because the island is the only Hindu enclave in Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country.
But Bali is not what it used to be: after it was discovered, it changed drastically, and now has all the markings of a place that’s been loved to death: from bad-behaving tourists to loud parties, and higher prices on food, accommodations, and activities than in other parts of Indonesia. Tourist crime is now a real thing in Bali.
Many of Bali’s beaches, like Kuta and Seminyak, suffer from plastic waste, as the island doesn’t have a proper recycling system to address the issue. Coral reefs around the island are suffering, due to pollution and overuse, damaging marine ecosystems.
In addition, Bali’s sacred spaces, such as temples and ceremonies, are increasingly commercialized, as locals try to monetize visitors’ interest in their culture. While this can be seen as a boon for local economies, where opportunities to make money are often scarce, tourists’ disrespectful behavior during cultural events or in sacred spaces is a growing concern.
4. Dubrovnik, Croatia
Not many people knew about Dubrovnik before it was profiled in the Game of Thrones, but once the movie was released the town changed forever.
Visitors have clogged Old Town Dubrovnik, and cruise ships have become a usual sight, in what used to be quiet and charming, with unique architecture and plenty of history. Unfortunately, Dubrovnik has become one of the most commercialized cities in Croatia, so if you’re hoping to enjoy an idyllic getaway in the Adriatic, away from tourist masses, you should research other locations.
Ulcinj and Herceg Novi in Montenegro are perfect alternatives to Dubrovnik, and you can get there by catching a bus from the city’s main bus station.
While the newfound popularity helped to generate revenue and provide jobs, it also generated a host of issues, from impact on infrastructure to rising prices and lower quality of life for locals.
Some note that the type of tourists who come to Dubrovnik these days aren’t necessarily those who want to learn the history and culture, but rather those who want to party and get in trouble.
Recently, however, the city officials announced plans to curb tourism and reclaim the city for locals many of which were driven away by skyrocketing prices and clogged streets of UNESCO-listed Old Town.
5. Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon, Iceland
Located in the southern part of Iceland, Fjaðrárgljúfur is a spectacular, crescent-shaped canyon featured in the first episode of Game of Thrones in the 8th Season, where Jon and Daenerys flew their dragons together.
Adding to the controversy, Justin Bieber filmed his music video in the area.
As a result, the little-known geographic feature has become one of the most popular stops in Iceland, with many travelers coming here specifically to see the place where the famous movie was shot. Local authorities estimated that between 2015 and 2019, over 1 million tourists descended on the area, searching for the natural wonder.
To minimize the damage to the fragile environment, local environmentalists closed the canyon in 2019. However, it hasn’t stopped some people from trying to see the place, even as fences have been put up in the area, as many have been sneaking in overnight, according to reports.
6. Santorini, Greece
In recent years, Santorini has become inundated by cruise ships, which bring, the majority, of visitors to this popular Greek island.
Famous for its white architecture with blue domes in the island’s capital Fira, Santorini has been overrun with tourists for years, except previously, those who came here spent at least a few days in local hotels.
Now the trend has changed.
From May through September the narrow streets of Fira, home to some of the most beautiful views on the island, become congested with the endless foot traffic. What’s worse is that many tourists who come to Santorini on cruise ships, spend only a day here, trying to cross several items off their bucket list before leaving.
Locals’ main gripe? Day trippers don’t generate a lot of revenue for the island. Instead, they add to the overall congestion, which takes away from the entire atmosphere of this place.
Local vendors and businesses say that the number of day trippers has grown considerably, with fewer staying in Santorini, as more hotels sit empty now.
Luckily, Greece has roughly 6,000 islands and islets scattered around its mainland, so if you want to escape Santorini go to a less visited island. For instance, Folegandros is Santorini’s small cousin, which boasts white-washed houses and blue-domed churches without crazy crowds.
7. Prague, Czech Republic
A newcomer on the list of places that have been loved to death by visitors, Prague has seen a steady increase in the number of tourists, which put it into the category of places where the number of tourists far outweighs the number of residents.
In 2023, 7.5 million tourists visited the city of 1.3 million residents, and many locals have complained about unruly tourists who come for pub crawls and bachelor parties, degrading the atmosphere for everyone else.
While Prague hasn’t yet reached the level of angry protests that Barcelona did, some locals voice discontent over authorities’ inaction.
On top of that, Prague is also considerably more expensive than nearby capitals like Warsaw or Bratislava. If you are looking for a less visited destination, consider visiting Wroclaw, a hidden gem in southwestern Poland, which you can travel from Prague by train.
Prague is famous for its medieval history, but Wrocław offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience, which might be more appealing for those looking for less conventional and expensive destinations. Wrocław is known for its vibrant and colorful buildings, charming Old Town, and beautiful Market Square.
8. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam ranks as one of the most visited cities in the world, on par with popular European capitals like Rome, Madrid, and Berlin. Too bad Amsterdam locals think the current level is not sustainable, with many adding that tourism has hurt their neighborhoods, as they have been inundated with visitors.
As in other popular destinations, Amsterdam locals struggle with housing affordability, because many properties are now rented out as Airbnb’s and short-term rentals because their owners chase tourism dollars.
Adding to the headache is the image of Amsterdam as the party destination, particularly because of legal drugs and the red light district.
The city is trying to shake off the old stereotype, and it has recently introduced a slew of rules, aimed at curbing the unruly visitors, some of which exhibit offensive behavior. Still, Amsterdam needs to do some serious work, because projections show that the number of visitors is only expected to grow.
9. Kyoto, Japan
Famous for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, Kyoto has been suffering from over-tourism, as scores of visitors flocked to this town. The newfound fame has created a stark dilemma on how Kyoto can maintain its traditional way of life and steal appeal to visitors, who come here in search of entertainment.
Visitors’ misbehavior has become problematic, as some harass geishas and disrespect the city’s cultural sites. Many residents feel that the high volume of tourists dilutes the traditional culture. In some areas, tourism has caused the closure of long-standing businesses, replaced by souvenir shops and chain restaurants catering primarily to visitors.
Kyoto’s mayor-elect has pledged to fight over tourism as many locals voiced their discontent with jam-packed public transportation, and tourist crowds on the city’s streets.
10. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is located in the Andes and isn’t easy to reach. However, the long distances don’t deter the 1.5 million tourists that come here every year to marvel at the remains of the ancient Incan city. The figure translates into 2,500 visitors per day – a huge number for a landmark that became popular less than a decade ago.
To balance out the increased number of visitors, authorities have implemented rules to minimize the negative effects of visitation. Under the new guidelines, only 500 people are allowed on site daily, and all visitors must be accompanied by a tour guide which you can hire at the entrance. Drones, selfie sticks, and tripods aren’t allowed at the Inca citadel.
