Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Colosseum are on many travelers’ bucket lists, but the overwhelming popularity of these destinations has led to significant issues worldwide. Crowds of tourists flocking to the most stunning spots on the planet are transforming once-idyllic holidays into stressful experiences. Here’s a look at some popular travel destinations where tourism has become a challenge.
Rome
Rome is one of the world’s most famous city, but sadly, it’s now known for having its attractions ruined by overcrowding. Locations such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps draw huge numbers of tourists, causing stressful and hectic experiences for those who visit. Long lines and packed attractions diminish the once-incredible experience.
Santorini
The lovely whitewashed villages and black sand beaches of this Greek island are behind its popularity. Unfortunately, this has caused Santorini to become a major tourist trap. With its high prices, busy crowds, and narrow streets, you might be better off visiting one of the less crowded islands instead.
Barcelona
This beautiful city is another place overwhelmed by tourist numbers, causing great strain on both its infrastructure and resources. According to Nanani World, cultural sites such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are negatively impacted by over-tourism, causing wear and tear that hampers the preservation efforts of these landmarks.
Machu Picchu
Drawing thousands of people a day as Peru’s most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu is another landmark suffering from large numbers of visitors. The erosion of stone buildings in the citadel is a direct result of overcrowding, resulting in many sections being closed off to aid in conservation.
Amsterdam
Famous for its canals and bridges, Amsterdam is also known as a popular destination for bachelor parties and rowdy visitors, thanks to the Red Light District. UST reports that there are fears that Amsterdam will become too expensive and “too dirty,” with the “Stay Away” initiative being created as a result.
U.S. National Parks
The United States is home to a huge number of stunning national parks, perhaps none more famous than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Visitors are greeted with several hour-long traffic jams to reach the park in the first place, and when they do arrive, many find it overcrowded and uncomfortable.
Cancún
Known for its hot weather, beautiful beaches, and the rich culture of its Mayan ruins, this Mexican city is very popular with travelers. Due to foreign exchange relativity, however, prices are more expensive than ever in Mexico. This, combined with the large number of tourists there, can make the trip daunting.
Venice
Venice has been cracking down on mass tourism for a while now, with the famous canaled city now introducing bans on groups of over 25 people to improve the movement of people through the city center. This has been one of many attempts to improve the daily lives of Venetian residents coping with high tourist numbers.
Dubrovnik
The tiny city of Dubrovnik has been filled with tourists in recent years. The southern Croatian hotspot features famous architecture known for its appearance on the TV show Game of Thrones, but this popularity has utterly overwhelmed the limited resources and infrastructure of the city.
Bali
The province of Bali in Indonesia is considered paradise by many; however, this has caused an array of issues, such as a strain on resources and environmental concerns. Another problem caused by Bali’s popularity is the loss of traditional practices, as younger Balinese generations now devote less time to their cultural identity due to the rise in tourism.
Kyoto
The former capital of Japan is world-renowned for its cultural history but is also facing problems due to the demands of tourism. The Japanese tourism ministry has encouraged people to not just visit Kyoto but to spread out to lesser-known areas around the country.
Reykjavík
Reykjavík in Iceland has lots of natural wonders and attractions, but the popularity of a certain few has caused problems. Prominent locations such as the Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs have faced issues as the local infrastructure is not built to match demand.
Prague
Prague’s Old Town has been the main draw for tourists for some time, bringing large crowds of people to the city. However, the overly crowded center impacts its charm. There have also been issues with maintaining the city’s historic integrity amid tourism.
Bangkok
According to Asia Highlights, during the cool season in Thailand, both tourist attractions, such as the Grand Palace and the Chatuchak Weekend Market, and nearby beaches are completely packed, making it hard to enjoy the rich culture and vibrant nature of Bangkok’s street life.
Hawaii
As one of the U.S.’s most popular tourist destinations, Hawaii’s infrastructure and resources have been stretched thin by the massive number of visitors. Tourism accounts for approximately half of Hawai’i’s annual water consumption, causing frequent shortages for locals, and overcrowding is rife.
Las Vegas
The ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ is known for its casinos, restaurants, and exciting nightlife; however, these same attractions draw in a detrimentally large number of tourists every year. The issue has become so bad that a new law has been introduced that forbids people from “stopping, standing or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop” on pedestrian bridges around the famous Las Vegas strip!
New York City
One of the most iconic cities in the world can feel disappointing to many. Well-known locations such as Times Square are found to be over-priced and over-crowded. Plenty of visitors have also claimed that landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are not worth the exorbitant cost needed to visit them—costs that have been hiked due to increased demand.
Paris
Paris is a dream getaway for many holidayers, but the French capital has become overrun by tourists. Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame draw millions of tourists each year, resulting in The New York Times suggesting that it’s worth skipping the more famous attractions to visit less crowded locations such as the Philharmonie de Paris or the Centre National de la Danse.