Overtourism refers to the overwhelming number of tourists that a destination cannot accommodate, resulting in environmental degradation, declining quality of life, and other issues. These phenomena have worsened in recent years and have become a key concern for the global tourism industry.
Washington, D.C. (Merxwire) – Many people begin planning their vacations as the Christmas holiday approaches. However, before you decide where to travel, you may want to check out the recently released ‘No List’ of travel destinations by Fodor’s Travel. This list highlights the top 9 places to avoid in 2024 and is based on a comprehensive assessment of environmental pressures, over-tourism challenges, and other factors affecting these destinations.
This list features popular tourist destinations worldwide facing significant environmental pressures or over-tourism challenges. Four locations are in Asia: Japan’s Mount Fuji, India’s Ganges River, Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, and Thailand’s Ko Samui. Other destinations on the list include Venice in Italy, Athens in Greece, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in California, Lake Superior, and the Atacama Desert in Chile.
The 2024 “No List” is divided into three categories. The first includes locations suffering from water shortages or water quality issues, such as Lake Superior and Ko Samui. The second category consists of places struggling with waste management issues, like Ha Long Bay and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The third group includes regions heavily affected by over-tourism, where the sheer volume of visitors overwhelms the local environment and community, as seen in Venice, Athens, and Mount Fuji.
As global travel and aviation industries recover from the pandemic, there has been a surge in tourism demand, bringing the issue of overtourism back into focus. This resurgence has led to a range of environmental challenges. For example, in southern Europe, Albania is clashing with ecological groups over river diversion for tourism developments. Similarly, Costa Rica and Saipan deal with the twin challenges of welcoming many tourists while managing waste and resource depletion. While these locations boast stunning natural beauty, they are under severe environmental strain due to the overwhelming influx of visitors.
Mount Fuji stands as a prime example. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts mountaineers from around the globe. However, in recent years, the number of visitors has skyrocketed, with many tourists needing to fully grasp the risks and environmental impacts of climbing this sacred peak. The overcrowding damages the mountain’s ecosystem and poses potential safety hazards for climbers.
Many destinations have begun implementing tourism taxes and other restrictions in response to the over-tourism crisis. Venice, Italy, will start charging a €5 entry fee per visitor in 2024 to reduce foot traffic and alleviate the pressures of overtourism. Similarly, Mount Fuji introduced a ¥2,000 per person climbing tax this July, limiting the number of daily climbers to 4,000. Barcelona, Spain, plans to increase its tourism tax further, hoping to curb the influx of tourists.
These measures reflect the efforts of governments and tourism authorities to balance environmental protection and tourism revenue. However, finding this balance remains a significant challenge for many countries.
Tourism undoubtedly brings rich cultural experiences and economic benefits but also dramatically strains the environment and society. The pressing question for the tourism industry, governments, and travellers alike is how to balance economic gains from tourism and preserving local ecosystems and communities. Responsible tourism is the key to this balance, empowering us to enjoy travel while protecting these places for the long term.
The garbage problem at Mount Fuji, water pollution in Ha Long Bay, and resource shortages on Ko Samui all remind us that these beautiful destinations are already overburdened. However, they also inspire us to take action. If future generations are to continue enjoying these natural wonders, we must learn to balance our enjoyment of travel with the responsibility of preserving these places for the long term.
