Mass Tourism: Which destinations are the most affected?

Mass tourism is a phenomenon that turns certain destinations into overcrowded places, often altering their environment and culture. While some cities and tourist sites benefit economically from the influx of visitors, others suffer due to nuisances, degradation of sites, and rising living costs for locals.
Here’s an overview of the destinations most affected by mass tourism.

 

1. Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most visited Italian cities, attracting millions of tourists each year due to its unique location, stunning architecture, famous canals, and historic charm. However, the massive influx has led to restrictive measures such as limiting cruise ships and imposing an entrance fee for day-trippers to preserve the city and its inhabitants.

• Number of visitors per year: 20 million
• Regulation efforts: Entrance fee and limitations on access for large cruise ships.

 

2. Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, famous for its unique architecture by Gaudí and its Mediterranean lifestyle, has seen its popularity grow dramatically. However, this has caused local tensions, with rising rents and the dominance of tourist shops. The city has imposed restrictions on Airbnb rentals and has taken steps to better manage tourist flows.

• Number of visitors per year: 12 million
• Regulation efforts: Restrictions on Airbnb rentals and limiting the number of visitors in certain areas.

 

3. Paris, France

Paris, the City of Light, attracts over 30 million visitors annually. While this boosts the economy, the city also suffers from constant overcrowding at iconic landmarks. Pollution and site degradation are major concerns, and efforts are being made to encourage responsible tourism and promote lesser-known neighborhoods.

• Number of visitors per year: Over 30 million
• Regulation efforts: Promotion of responsible tourism and highlighting lesser-known neighborhoods.

 

4. Bali, Indonesia

Bali, the Island of Gods, is a sought-after destination for its beaches, temples, and lush vegetation. However, plastic pollution, lack of waste management infrastructure, and overconsumption of water are significant problems. The Indonesian government has introduced some measures to limit the impact of mass tourism and preserve this paradisiacal island.

• Number of visitors per year: 6.3 million
• Regulation efforts: Initiatives to limit ecological impact and encourage sustainable tourism.

 

5. Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, an iconic Inca site, attracts thousands of visitors each day. The tourist pressure has caused erosion of trails and posed risks to the site’s preservation. Authorities have imposed daily visitor quotas and strict routes to control the influx. Despite these efforts, tourism pressure remains intense, threatening the ecological balance of the site.

• Number of visitors per year: 1.5 million
• Regulation efforts: Visitor quotas and strict routes for preservation.

 

6. Santorini, Greece

This Greek island, famous for its white houses with blue roofs and stunning sunsets, is heavily impacted by mass tourism. Large cruise ships drop thousands of visitors daily, overwhelming the narrow streets of Fira and Oia. In response, authorities have implemented disembarkation quotas to limit the impact of tourism.

• Number of visitors per year: 2 million
• Regulation efforts: Disembarkation quotas to protect the island.

 

7. Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, one of Thailand’s most touristy islands, suffers from overcrowded beaches and pollution linked to tourism. The massive waste generated and the lack of infrastructure to manage waste are significant concerns, as well as traffic congestion and air pollution.

• Number of visitors per year: 9 million
• Regulation efforts: Waste management improvements and traffic reduction measures.

 

8. New York, United States

Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park attract millions of tourists annually, often causing overcrowding in certain parts of the city. Housing prices have skyrocketed, and some residential neighborhoods suffer from the constant flow of visitors. The city is promoting less-visited attractions, such as Brooklyn or the Bronx.

• Number of visitors per year: 60 million
• Regulation efforts: Promoting alternative attractions and trying to reduce the strain on highly crowded areas.

 

9. Rome, Italy

The Italian capital is an open-air museum with iconic sites such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican. However, the constant influx of tourists leads to the deterioration of monuments and infrastructure. Rome has recently banned sitting on the Spanish Steps and swimming in historical fountains to preserve its heritage.

• Number of visitors per year: 9 million
• Regulation efforts: Bans on sitting on the Spanish Steps and swimming in fountains.

 

10. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Popularized by the TV series Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik has become an extremely popular destination, especially for cruise tourists. The small streets of the Old Town are often crowded, prompting authorities to limit the number of daily visitors and restrict access to cruise ships.

• Number of visitors per year: 1.4 million
• Regulation efforts: Limiting cruise ship access and daily visitor quotas.

 

11. Amsterdam, Netherlands

With its picturesque canals, red-light district, and famous museums, Amsterdam attracts millions of visitors each year. The city suffers from the negative effects of party tourism, causing disturbances to local residents. In response, the city has banned guided tours in certain neighborhoods and launched campaigns for more respectful tourism.

• Number of visitors per year: 19 million
• Regulation efforts: Banning tours in specific neighborhoods and encouraging more respectful tourism.

 

12. Cinque Terre, Italy

These five colorful coastal villages have become a must-see for tourists visiting Italy. Unfortunately, the trails connecting the villages are often overcrowded, and the pressure on the environment is intense. The Italian government is considering implementing visitor quotas to limit the number of tourists and preserve the region’s fragile ecosystem.

• Number of visitors per year: 2.5 million
• Regulation efforts: Visitor quotas to protect the environment.

 

13. Mount Everest, Nepal

Climbing Mount Everest has become a true adventure tourism industry. Each year, hundreds of climbers attempt the ascent, causing traffic jams, accidents, and a growing accumulation of waste at high altitudes. To limit the impact, the Nepalese government now imposes quotas and requires climbers to bring down their waste.

• Number of visitors per year: 30,000 to 40,000 climbers
• Regulation efforts: Quotas and waste management regulations for climbers.

 

14. Kyoto, Japan

Known for its temples, gardens, and geishas, Kyoto attracts millions of visitors each year. The Gion district, famous for its traditional streets, is particularly affected by mass tourism, with visitors often crowding the area to photograph geishas. The city has had to ban photography in certain streets to protect local life.

• Number of visitors per year: 15 million
• Regulation efforts: Ban on photography in certain areas to protect local traditions.

 

15. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

This unique archipelago is home to exceptional biodiversity, but mass tourism is putting its fragile ecosystems at risk. Ecuadorian authorities have imposed strict quotas and regulations to protect wildlife and minimise human impact.

• Number of visitors per year: 275,000
• Regulation efforts: Strict visitor quotas and environmental regulations to protect biodiversity.

 

16. Grand Canyon, United States

The Grand Canyon is one of the most visited natural sites in the United States. The massive influx of tourists poses problems such as pollution, erosion, and overcrowding of trails. Access restrictions and visitor quotas are being considered to preserve this exceptional site.

• Number of visitors per year: 6 million
• Regulation efforts: Access restrictions and visitor quotas for preservation.

 

17. Maldives

This tropical paradise attracts visitors from all over the world, but tourism pressure is leading to growing pollution, particularly from plastic and waste left by luxury resorts. The authorities are encouraging the development of more sustainable tourism.

• Number of visitors per year: 1.7 million
• Regulation efforts: Promotion of sustainable tourism practices and waste management initiatives.

 

Towards More Sustainable Tourism?

In response to the negative impacts of mass tourism, many destinations are adopting more sustainable strategies: limiting the number of visitors, taxing tourism, temporarily closing sensitive sites, or encouraging off-season tourism and visits to less crowded areas.
Travelers also play a role in adopting more responsible practices: avoiding peak seasons, choosing eco-friendly accommodations, respecting local cultures, and minimizing their ecological footprint.
The challenge in the coming years will be to find a balance between preserving sites and welcoming tourists, so that these destinations can continue to inspire without being overwhelmed.

 

illustrative photo from @canva