In recent years, over-tourism has become a growing concern for many popular travel destinations worldwide. Cities and regions traditionally known for attracting millions of visitors each year are now taking proactive measures to curb the negative impacts of overwhelming tourism.
Here's a look at some destinations that are fed up with excessive tourists and the steps they are taking to manage the influx.
Venice, Italy
Visitors to Venice must pay an admission charge ranging from €3 to €10 in order to enter the city and its islands. This has enhanced the standard of living for residents while lowering the number of tourists. Venice has also outlawed the entry of big cruise ships into its famed lagoon.
A number of Italy's well-known tourist destinations now charge admission in other towns.
Athens, Greece
Greece has announced that the Acropolis, its most popular tourist destination, will soon have a time slot system in place.
Furthermore, there will only be 20,000 visitors every day to the Acropolis, and each visitor will be given a designated hourly slot throughout the monument's twelve-hour daily hours of operation.
Greece has also chosen to impose admission fees at certain of its tourist destinations.
Santorini, Greece
Among the most famous Greek islands is Santorini. The island welcomes about two million visitors annually, and in 2019 steps were taken to prevent over tourism.
One approach was to cap the number of cruise visitors to the island at 8,000 per day. Perhaps the most peculiar of all was the prohibition against overweight tourists (those weighing more than 100 kg or 220 lbs) from riding donkeys.
Machu Picchu, Peru
Peru's main draw is the Inca fortress from the fifth century. Tourists are only allowed in during one of two timeslots every day to prevent crowding. Furthermore, each tour guide is only permitted to accompany ten guests at a time.
There is a daily limit on the quantity of visitors. The cap will be 4,500 individuals per day as of 2024. Up to 5,600 visitors a day may be permitted on certain exceptional days, though.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Probably the most popular coastal area in Italy is the Amalfi Coast. Authorities implemented a different licence plate system in an effort to reduce mass tourism. This implies that rental automobiles with odd-numbered licence plates can pass through it in a single day, but even-numbered licence plates can only be driven through the next day.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam has made the decision to prohibit cruise ships from calling at its primary ports. They took this action because cruise ships have the capacity to draw huge crowds of people to a limited location, placing a burden on the local resources and infrastructure. Additionally, Amsterdam plans to raise the city's tourist accommodation tax by one percentage point.
Paris, France
The Paris Louvre has restricted daily admission to 30,000 guests as of 2022.
A €1 million campaign was started by the French government in 2024 to encourage travellers, both foreign and local, "to adapt their destination choices and schedules." Promoting "year-round" and "off-the-beaten-track" travel is the goal.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
The Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela intends to impose a tourist fee in order to combat over tourism and assist fund local government.
Barcelona, Spain
The city imposed a "city surcharge," which went up to €3.25 (US$3.48) in 2024, and closed its northern port terminal to cruise ships.
The Catalan capital imposed noise limits and tour group size limitations in 2022. Short-term room rentals and new hotel construction have both been prohibited in the city core.
The bus route for number 116 was taken out of map applications more recently. Many tourists took the bus route to see Barcelona's top attraction, Park Güell. Residents clearly felt this had an effect on their lives, and they applauded the action.
Portugal
Portugal has planned to charge for playing loud music at popular beaches in an effort to curb noise pollution. The penalties will be between €200 to €36,000 in total.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
The well-known Croatian city of Dubrovnik has started the "Respect the City" campaign to combat excessive tourism. To maintain the city's distinct charm and legacy, the plan includes limits on certain behaviours as well as a system for dropping off bags.
This was carried out in response to complaints from locals in Dubrovnik about noise pollution caused by visitors dragging their bags along the cobblestone streets of the city, which they said kept people awake at night.
Bali, Indonesia
In 2024, the government imposed a tourist fee in an effort to reduce excessive travel. All visitors to the island will now need to pay IDR 150,000, or around $10. Bali also intends to outlaw motorcycle rentals for visitors.
Rome, Italy
Among the most travelled nations in Europe is Italy. As such, major cities, including Rome, the capital, have implemented steps to restrict crowds. For example, visitors to the Pantheon now have to pay a €5 (US$5.36) admission price as of 2023.
Bhutan
In an effort to reduce mass tourism, the Kingdom of Bhutan implemented a Sustainable Development Fee. A US$100 daily tourist visa is required to enter this stunning Himalayan nation.
Milan, Italy
In an effort to curtail activities after midnight, Milan has suggested new laws. In addition to enforcing closing times for outdoor areas of restaurants and bars, the city is considering prohibiting the sale of pizza and ice cream after 12:30 am on weekdays and 1:30 am on weekends.
Fujikawaguchiko, Japan
The village in Japan has begun erecting a wall to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji, the most famous landmark in the nation, after receiving complaints about unruly visitors.
Fujikawaguchiko is installing mesh netting panels at a well-liked location where visitors congregate to take pictures of the gorgeous mountain behind a Lawson convenience store.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visit/these-popular-destinations-are-fed-up-of-tourists-and-are-taking-steps-to-keep-them-in-check/fujikawaguchiko-japan/slideshow/110000274.cms
