Tourism fuels economies, revitalizes neighborhoods, and brings cultural exchange, but for many cities, it has also become a burden. As visitor numbers explode, some destinations have reached their breaking point. From overwhelmed infrastructure to skyrocketing housing costs and environmental degradation, many cities are now actively discouraging tourism—or at least trying to control its impact.
Venice, Italy – The Battle Against Mass Tourism
Venice has long been a poster child for overtourism. Each year, millions of visitors descend upon the city’s narrow streets, overwhelming its fragile infrastructure. The result? Sky-high living costs, environmental strain, and locals being pushed out of their homes.
In response, Venice has introduced measures like a tourist tax, limits on cruise ships, and restrictions on short-term rentals. Despite these efforts, the city continues to grapple with overcrowding, leading many Venetians to demand stricter regulations or even caps on tourist numbers.
Barcelona, Spain – Fighting for Local Livability
Barcelona’s rise as a tourist hotspot has led to growing resentment among residents. Once quiet neighborhoods are now packed with short-term rentals, pushing rental prices to unaffordable levels for locals. Street congestion, noise pollution, and cultural dilution have led to mass protests against uncontrolled tourism.
The city has responded with strict Airbnb regulations, limits on new hotels, and anti-tourism campaigns. Even so, locals continue to push for more drastic measures to preserve their way of life.
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Cracking Down on Party Tourism
Amsterdam is famous for its liberal policies, canals, and historic charm, but it’s also known for rowdy tourists who flock there for the nightlife, particularly in the Red Light District. The city has grown tired of dealing with drunken travelers and disruptive behavior, leading to a crackdown on ‘nuisance tourism.’
Authorities have banned new tourist shops, restricted guided tours in certain areas, and even launched a ‘Stay Away’ campaign aimed at discouraging rowdy visitors. The city is also considering banning cruise ships to ease congestion.
Dubrovnik, Croatia – A Medieval City Under Siege
Dubrovnik’s stunning Old Town has gained global fame, thanks in part to its role in Game of Thrones. But with this fame came an influx of tourists that has overwhelmed its tiny streets. The influx of cruise ship passengers has turned this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a crowded maze of selfie-stick-wielding visitors.
To combat this, the city has capped daily visitor numbers, limited cruise ship arrivals, and even installed surveillance cameras to monitor crowd control. Despite these efforts, some residents feel the measures are too little, too late.
Kyoto, Japan – Protecting Sacred Spaces from Overtourism
Kyoto’s historic temples and traditional streets have made it a prime tourist attraction, but the influx of visitors has disrupted local life. In areas like Gion, geishas and residents have struggled with intrusive tourists blocking pathways, taking unauthorized photos, and behaving inappropriately in sacred spaces.
To address the issue, Kyoto has introduced signs banning photography in certain areas, launched educational campaigns, and encouraged visitors to be more respectful. Some locals, however, believe more drastic actions are needed to preserve Kyoto’s cultural heritage.
Bali, Indonesia – Pushing Back Against Disrespectful Visitors
Bali has long been a paradise for travelers, but its tourism boom has come at a cost. Traffic congestion, pollution, and disrespectful behavior by tourists have sparked backlash from locals. Viral incidents of tourists behaving inappropriately at sacred sites have fueled frustration.
In response, Bali has introduced a tourist tax, tightened visa regulations, and begun cracking down on misbehavior, even deporting tourists who violate cultural norms. The island is also considering stricter entry requirements to ensure visitors are more mindful of local traditions.
Santorini, Greece – Overwhelmed by Cruise Tourism
Santorini’s iconic white-washed buildings and stunning sunsets attract millions of visitors every year, but the island’s small size makes it especially vulnerable to overtourism. Cruise ships regularly flood the island with thousands of passengers in a single day, creating overcrowded streets and putting pressure on resources.
To manage this, Santorini has limited the number of daily cruise ship visitors and encouraged alternative travel seasons. While these measures have helped, locals remain concerned about the island’s long-term sustainability.
Hallstatt, Austria – A Fairytale Town Overrun
Hallstatt, a small lakeside village, gained worldwide attention after being linked to inspiring Disney’s Frozen. The village now sees up to 10,000 visitors per day—far more than its tiny population can handle.
Frustrated residents have erected barriers to limit tourist access, closed off certain areas, and actively pushed for regulations to reduce visitor numbers. The town is also considering implementing entrance fees to curb mass tourism.
Bhutan – Controlling Tourism Through High Entry Fees
Unlike other destinations fighting overtourism retroactively, Bhutan has taken a proactive approach. The country has long maintained a ‘high-value, low-impact’ tourism policy by charging visitors a substantial daily fee, which covers accommodations, guides, and conservation efforts.
This policy ensures that only those who truly value Bhutan’s culture and nature visit, keeping mass tourism at bay while preserving the country’s unique heritage.
Reykjavík, Iceland – Struggling with Environmental Strain
Iceland’s stunning landscapes have drawn an explosion of visitors in recent years, but the country’s delicate environment is struggling to keep up. Tourists have caused damage to fragile ecosystems, including trampling moss-covered lava fields that take decades to recover.
In response, authorities have introduced measures to control visitor numbers, including increased park fees, stricter regulations on Airbnb rentals, and investment in sustainable tourism infrastructure.
Machu Picchu, Peru – Protecting an Ancient Wonder
Machu Picchu is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, but its popularity has led to severe wear and tear. Heavy foot traffic threatens the integrity of the ancient ruins, and conservationists have warned that unrestricted tourism could lead to irreversible damage.
Peru has since introduced strict ticketing policies, time-slot reservations, and limits on daily visitors. While these efforts have helped, some experts argue that even more drastic measures are needed to protect this UNESCO site.
Rome, Italy – Cracking Down on Disruptive Tourism
Rome attracts millions of visitors each year, but its historical sites have suffered from disrespectful tourists. Incidents of visitors vandalizing monuments, swimming in fountains, and disrupting local businesses have led to calls for stricter enforcement of tourism laws.
In response, the city has banned certain activities like eating near famous landmarks, introduced hefty fines for vandalism, and deployed more police to tourist-heavy areas. Local businesses are also advocating for more sustainable tourism policies to preserve Rome’s cultural legacy.
The Faroe Islands – Closing Down for Conservation
The Faroe Islands have taken a unique approach to managing tourism by temporarily closing key sites for maintenance. Instead of banning tourists outright, the islands invite volunteers to help with conservation efforts in exchange for guided access to restricted areas.
This initiative has been praised as a model for sustainable tourism, ensuring that visitors contribute positively to the environment rather than overwhelming it.
Cinque Terre, Italy – Restricting Hikers to Save the Trails
Cinque Terre’s famous hiking trails attract thousands of visitors daily, leading to severe erosion and environmental degradation. To combat this, authorities have introduced limits on daily visitors and considered implementing entrance fees to control foot traffic.
Local residents and conservationists continue to push for stricter regulations to ensure the long-term preservation of these iconic coastal villages.
Phi Phi Islands, Thailand – Shutting Down to Heal
Thailand made headlines when it temporarily closed Maya Bay, one of the Phi Phi Islands’ most famous beaches, due to severe ecological damage from excessive tourism. Coral reefs were dying, and marine life was disappearing due to pollution and overcrowding.
After a multi-year closure, the beach was reopened with strict visitor limits, bans on certain activities, and new conservation measures. This has sparked discussions about applying similar closures to other fragile ecosystems across Thailand.
