Tourism has historically been an economic boon for many destinations, but some places are now suffering from their own success. Overcrowding, skyrocketing housing costs and environmental degradation have become common issues in popular tourist spots worldwide, leading to tension between visitors and locals. In many of these places, the impact of mass tourism has left residents frustrated, and the once-warm welcome may be a thing of the past.
Click through this gallery to discover the destinations where tourists might not be as welcome as they once were...
The village of Oia, perched on the tiny Greek island of Santorini, is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, spectacular sunsets and iconic whitewashed buildings topped with blue domes. However, with 20-minute-long queues of tourists all clamouring for a photo in the perfect spot, the scene is often far from serene. Despite a population of only around 15,000, Santorini sees an influx of two to three million visitors each year, leading to road congestion, strained resources and significant disruption to daily life. Many locals are even encouraged to stay home to escape the chaos.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Machu Picchu has long captivated travellers with its awe-inspiring remnants of the Incan Empire. However, the sheer volume of tourists has placed immense pressure on its fragile environment. In 2008, a daily visitor cap of 2,500 was introduced to curb the environmental degradation caused by overtourism, although recent adjustments have allowed up to 5,600 visitors on certain days. Similarly, the popular four day trek from Aguas Calientes through Quechua villages is limited to 500 people per day, including guides and porters, to ease the strain on both the landscape and local communities.
Venice's popularity has skyrocketed in recent decades, drawing around 30 million visitors annually, with approximately 80% of these being day-trippers. This surge has placed immense strain on the city’s fragile infrastructure, contributing to overcrowding and damage, particularly as waves from the numerous boats erode the foundations of Venice’s historic buildings. A £4.30 (€5) entry fee for day visitors was introduced in April 2024 as part of a trial aimed at managing tourist flows and raising funds for conservation efforts. The fee applies on peak days, primarily weekends between late April and mid-July, and is meant to encourage longer stays rather than short, high-impact visits. Day-trippers who evade the fee could face fines of up to £260 (€300).
With over 9,000 unique species of flora and fauna, many of them endemic, living across 19 main islands spanning almost 5,000 miles (8,000km), the Galápagos islands are like nowhere else on Earth. However, rising tourism has led to concerns about environmental degradation, including erosion and the introduction of invasive species, which threaten the delicate ecosystems. In 2012, a cap was introduced on the number of flights to the islands to help manage visitor numbers. In August 2024, the Galápagos Islands entry fee for foreign adult tourists doubled from £79 ($100) to £158 ($200), marking the first increase in 26 years to support conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements.
Soft white-sand beaches and a tranquil idyll originally drew holidaymakers to Boracay, but the island's surge in tourism led to severe environmental degradation. Waste and untreated sewage were discharged into the sea, while litter, including broken glass and plastic, scattered across the once-pristine shoreline. In 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte famously labelled Boracay a "cesspool" and imposed a six-month tourism ban to allow for a much-needed cleanup. During this period, hundreds of businesses were closed, and tighter environmental controls were introduced. The rehabilitation efforts helped restore Boracay’s natural beauty, but ongoing sustainable tourism practices remain critical to prevent the island from facing similar issues again.
Amsterdam is cracking down on rowdy tourism, with locals growing increasingly frustrated by the 20 million annual visitors overwhelming their city. In 2023, the city launched its bold 'Stay Away' campaign, aimed particularly at young British men who flock to Amsterdam for wild parties. The campaign uses blunt ads to discourage excessive drinking and drug use, highlighting hefty fines and arrests. On top of this, Amsterdam has introduced measures like banning public cannabis smoking in certain areas and reducing the number of river cruises.
Lanzarote is shifting its tourism strategy to focus on wealthier visitors and promote sustainable tourism. In 2023, the island’s president, María Dolores Corujo, announced plans to reduce reliance on British tourists, who currently make up around half of the island's visitors. Instead, the focus is shifting towards attracting tourists from countries like Germany, along with others who are thought to spend more, while highlighting the region's volcanic landscapes and cultural attractions.
The Cíes Islands off the coast of Galicia are a popular destination known for their pristine landscapes and abundant wildlife. However, to protect the delicate ecosystems from the effects of over-tourism, a strict visitor cap of 1,800 people per day was introduced. This measure, implemented to preserve the islands’ biodiversity and natural beauty, has been well received by both tourists and locals, who appreciate the sense of exclusivity and the focus on conservation.
Residents in Barcelona have long voiced concerns about the negative impact of Airbnb rentals, which have driven up housing costs and reduced access to affordable city-centre homes. The city’s growing popularity as a cruise ship destination has compounded these issues, leading to overcrowding and disruptive behaviour from tourists. Frustration has boiled over, with protests from residents who argue that tourism has turned their neighbourhoods into crowded tourist hubs, driving out locals and damaging the city's character. In response, authorities began taking action in 2022, cracking down on large tour groups, enforcing noise restrictions and implementing measures to better redistribute tourism revenues to benefit local communities.
Lisbon’s photogenic cobbled streets, iconic trams and vibrant azulejo tilework make it a magnet for tourists. However, the influx of visitors and tuk-tuks has led to increased congestion in the city's narrow streets, frustrating residents who struggle to navigate their own neighbourhoods. Many locals feel that tourism has turned cultural hotspots into amusement parks, pushing traditional businesses to the margins. In response, city authorities have begun to address these concerns by proposing stricter regulations. Plans to halve the number of tuk-tuks operating in the city, limit parking spaces and enforce licensing measures are all part of efforts to alleviate congestion and preserve the city’s character.
Florence, renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture, is grappling with the impacts of overtourism, which threatens its UNESCO World Heritage status. With around 16 million visitors annually, the influx has put significant pressure on local infrastructure, driven up rental prices, and displaced traditional artisan shops in favour of tourist-driven businesses. A key issue is the rise of short-term rentals via platforms like Airbnb, which has reduced affordable housing for residents. In June 2023, Florence implemented a ban on new short-term rentals in its historic centre, targeting properties within the UNESCO-protected area.
Dubrovnik, already a top cruise ship destination, saw even more visitors flocking to its medieval streets after becoming a famous Game of Thrones filming location. While the influx boosted tourism, it overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure and inflated living costs, leaving many locals frustrated. To tackle this, Dubrovnik introduced a cap of two cruise ships per day, limiting total cruise passengers to 5,000 daily. The city also rolled out a real-time monitoring system to control the number of visitors in the Old Town, helping ease the overcrowding.
The Gion district in Kyoto, known for its historic streets and geiko (geishas), has faced challenges from overtourism, with many tourists photographing geiko and private residences without permission. In 2019, photography bans were implemented on certain streets, with clear signage in place. Tourists violating these rules face fines of £54 ($67). These measures aim to protect the privacy of residents and maintain the district's cultural integrity.
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The Faroe Islands, although not as heavily trafficked as other destinations, have still experienced environmental degradation due to increasing tourism, particularly around popular viewpoints and hiking trails. To address this, the islands launched the highly successful 'Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism' initiative in 2019. This programme invites international volunteers to help with vital maintenance tasks such as repairing hiking paths and installing signage, helping to preserve the islands' natural beauty.
Maya Beach on Koh Phi Phi Leh, famously featured in Leonardo DiCaprio’s 2000 film The Beach, became a magnet for tourists, with up to 5,000 visitors and 200 boats flocking there daily. This overwhelming influx severely damaged the delicate ecosystem, with coral reefs destroyed, pollution rising and litter accumulating. In 2018, Thai authorities made the drastic decision to close the beach to allow the environment to recover. After more than three years of restoration, the beach reopened in January 2022 under strict regulations, including limiting visitors to 375 at a time, banning swimming and requiring boats to dock away from the beach to protect the coral reefs.
The North Coast 500 (NC500) has become a hugely popular route through the Scottish Highlands, boosting the local economy of smaller towns and villages. However, the influx of visitors, especially motorhome travellers, has caused issues like road congestion on narrow roads not built for heavy traffic. Many campervan tourists are self-sufficient, meaning local businesses such as cafés and shops haven’t seen the economic benefits they anticipated. The increase in visitors has also placed pressure on parking, waste management and public toilets, leading to environmental degradation. In response, a £40 ($52) motorhome pass was introduced to provide access to designated parking spots and facilities, but this move has sparked controversy, as some local campsite owners feel it undercuts their businesses.
The Grand Canyon, one of the most popular national parks in the US, receives over five million visitors each year, putting its infrastructure under considerable strain. Overcrowding has led to damage to trails and air pollution, exacerbated by nearby cities. The park’s fragile ecosystems are also threatened, and the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam has disrupted natural water flow, harming aquatic life and enabling invasive species to flourish. To address these issues, the park has implemented several measures, including restricting construction near the rim, creating no-fly zones to reduce noise pollution and employing integrated pest management to control invasive species.
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, built in 1931, is one of South America’s most iconic landmarks, attracting millions of visitors annually. While its popularity is a point of pride for many, some locals feel that mass tourism has commercialised the religious and cultural significance of the statue. To manage the crowds, strategies have been implemented, including promoting alternative viewpoints like Sugarloaf Mountain, which offers breathtaking panoramic views without the same level of overcrowding.
Tulum, once a tranquil gem on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, has evolved into a hotspot for affluent travellers, often referred to as the 'Tuluminati', drawn by its stunning beaches, nightlife and eco-chic resorts. However, this rapid growth has sparked concerns among locals, who feel their cultural traditions are being commodified for tourist consumption. Authentic Mexican cuisine is often modified to suit international tastes, and traditional ceremonies, such as temazcal rituals, have been simplified into entertainment, prioritising tourist experiences over cultural integrity. This has led to debates about the loss of cultural authenticity as Tulum becomes more of a luxury playground than a reflection of local heritage.
Antarctica has no permanent population or cities, so the only human presence comes from scientific research stations and tourism. Visitors depend mostly on cruise ships for facilities, but issues like fuel spills, waste disposal and pollution are growing concerns. The region's cold climate means that any damage to habitats can take much longer to recover compared to other parts of the world. Increased tourism, which has surged in recent years, further compounds these risks, with pollutants like black carbon from ships contributing to environmental degradation.
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, famously known as the inspiration for Disney’s castle, draws over 1.4 million visitors annually, with as many as 6,000 people visiting daily during peak season. This massive influx puts significant strain on the small village of Hohenschwangau and its surrounding infrastructure, leading to frequent traffic jams, overcrowded public spaces and environmental stress on the area's natural beauty. Efforts have been made to manage tourist flow, but handling such a high volume of visitors remains challenging, particularly during the busy summer months.
Chefchaouen, known as Morocco’s 'Blue Pearl', has gained worldwide fame on Instagram, thanks to its striking blue-washed buildings and charming alleyways. In 2018, Fodor’s listed it as one of the '10 Places Being Ruined by Instagram', with over 250,000 posts tagged #Chefchaouen at the time. While some locals have embraced the attention by opening their homes as tourist attractions, rising visitor numbers have also driven up living costs and placed pressure on local services like waste management, water supply and transportation.
Zanzibar, renowned for its stunning beaches, rich history and Swahili culture, has become one of Africa’s top tourist destinations. The capital, Stone Town, is a vibrant hub that has seen economic growth thanks to tourism. However, this growth has not been equally beneficial for all residents. While tourism has created jobs, many of the higher-paying positions, particularly in management, often go to people from mainland Tanzania, leaving fewer opportunities for locals. This dynamic has contributed to rising costs and inequalities within the community, as locals in Zanzibar struggle to fully benefit from the booming industry.
The Maasai’s pastoral way of life has fascinated visitors from around the world, and tourism has become a vital economic lifeline for many Maasai communities. However, tourism's rapid growth also brings challenges. Traditional practices are sometimes altered or performed solely for tourist entertainment, leading to concerns about cultural commodification. Many Maasai fear that exposure to outside influences may erode long-held traditions, particularly among younger generations. Efforts are being made to promote responsible tourism, with community-led initiatives ensuring that Maasai people retain control over how their culture is shared and benefiting directly from tourism, while also preserving their heritage.
The Pyramids of Giza are among the world’s most iconic historical landmarks, attracting millions of visitors annually. However, the site faces several challenges, including overcrowding, structural damage from constant human interaction and pollution from nearby traffic. Tourists often express frustration with aggressive vendors and the commercialisation surrounding the area. Despite ongoing preservation efforts, the sheer volume of visitors makes it difficult to fully protect the ancient structures from the wear and tear of mass tourism.
As close as the UK gets to a tropical seaside, Cornwall is the archetypal family holiday destination. So it’s no surprise that, come school holidays, the roads are clogged up with tourist traffic and popular areas like St Ives and Newquay become inundated with visitors. Housing availability is another serious concern. The surge in short-term holiday lets through platforms like Airbnb, has led to a housing crisis for local residents. Many homes that once were available for long-term rental have been converted into holiday accommodation, drastically reducing the availability of affordable housing.
The Amalfi Coast, a breathtaking stretch of Italy's southern coastline, is famed for its dramatic cliffs, charming villages and crystal-clear waters. Tourism plays a crucial role in the local economy, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, this influx has created tension between tourists and local residents. Overcrowding and strains on infrastructure are key issues, with narrow coastal roads becoming heavily congested, complicating daily commutes for locals. In addition to traffic, noise, pollution and a rising cost of living are growing concerns. Many residents feel that mass tourism is altering the character of their villages, driving up housing prices and making it increasingly unaffordable for younger generations to remain in their hometowns.
Mallorca, a long-time favourite for European holidays, has faced increasing tension between tourists and locals due to overcrowding, rising housing costs driven by short-term rentals and environmental degradation. Recent protests, involving thousands of locals, have demanded more sustainable tourism practices, stricter controls on holiday rentals and limits on visitor numbers. These protests reflect growing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on quality of life, with residents feeling priced out of their own communities while also struggling with the strain on local infrastructure.
Bhutan, the world’s only carbon-negative country, has long embraced a sustainable tourism model focused on high value and low impact. To protect its environment and culture, visitors are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which was recently reduced from £158 ($200) to £79 ($100) per day in 2023 to boost tourism post-pandemic. This fee funds essential projects like healthcare, education and conservation efforts.
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