A recent study found that a record-breaking 1.4 billion people traveled abroad in 2018, and the number is only expected to grow in the future. The problem with this surge in tourism? It’s putting an immense strain on some of the world’s most popular destinations. In response, many countries are taking controversial steps to limit the number of tourists visiting each year. So if you’re thinking about planning your next vacation, you may want to steer clear of these six destinations!
Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with an estimated 82 million visitors each year. But the country is now struggling to cope with the influx of tourists, particularly in Barcelona and other major cities. In response, the Spanish government has introduced a new law that will restrict tourist numbers by capping the number of hotel rooms that can be built in popular areas. The aim is to reduce overtourism and preserve Spain’s cultural heritage.
Italy is another country that’s feeling the effects of overtourism. Venice, in particular, has been struggling to cope with the millions of tourists who descend on the city each year. To try to mitigate the problem, Venice has introduced several measures, including banning large cruise ships from entering the city’s lagoon and introducing an entry fee for day-trippers. Additionally, the city is considering capping the number of tourists who can visit each year. For instance, only 20,000 people will be allowed to enter the city’s St Mark’s Basilica daily. Another method being considered is introducing a tourist tax, which would fund measures to protect Venice’s heritage.
The picturesque city of Dubrovnik in Croatia has been a popular tourist destination for many years. But in recent years, the city has struggled to cope with the influx of visitors, leading to problems such as overcrowding and pollution. In response, the city has introduced several measures to try to reduce tourist numbers, including banning the construction of new hotels and imposing a limit on the number of cruise ship visitors. Additionally, the city has introduced an entry fee for day-trippers. This is hoped to help fund measures to protect the city’s heritage and reduce the negative impact of tourism.
France is yet another country that’s feeling the effects of overtourism. In recent years, Paris has been plagued by pickpockets and overcrowding, prompting the city to introduce several measures to reduce tourist numbers. These include banning large tour groups from visiting certain areas and introducing an entry fee for visitors to the Eiffel Tower. Another move that’s likely to deter tourists is the introduction of a so-called “tourist tax” in some French cities, including Paris. Additionally, the French government has proposed a new law restricting the number of hotel rooms built in popular tourist areas.
The Czech Republic is another country seeing a surge in tourism, with an estimated 15 million visitors each year. In response, the government has introduced several measures to limit tourist numbers, including capping the number of hotel rooms built in popular areas and introducing an entry fee for visitors to Prague Castle. Additionally, the government is also considering introducing a tourism tax. This is a controversial move, and it remains to be seen whether it will effectively reduce tourist numbers. Another measure that has been proposed is a visa requirement for visitors from certain countries.
Finally, Iceland is yet another country that’s feeling the effects of overtourism. In response, the government has introduced several measures to limit tourist numbers, including capping the number of visitors who can enter the country each year and introducing an entry fee for visitors to popular attractions such as the Blue Lagoon. Additionally, the government is also considering introducing a tourism tax. This is a controversial move, and it remains to be seen whether it will effectively reduce tourist numbers. Another measure that has been proposed is a visa requirement for visitors from certain countries.
So there you have it: six countries struggling to cope with the influx of tourists and taking controversial steps to reduce tourist numbers. If you’re planning your next vacation, you may want to think twice about visiting any of these destinations!
