To combat overtourism, 39 destinations around the world have introduced measures to regulate visitor numbers and protect cultural and natural heritage.
The resurgence of global travel after the pandemic has pushed many popular destinations over the edge, prompting governments and local governments to impose stricter rules and taxes on tourists.
These initiatives aim to protect ecosystems, support local populations and encourage sustainable tourism practices.
Remarkably, four such places in the UK have taken a stand against mass tourism in popular hotspots.
Cornwall:
Cornwall is famous for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches and quaint villages, and has long attracted domestic and international tourists.
However, the influx of tourists poses significant challenges, especially in the housing market.
In a bid to combat overtourism and its impact on the housing crisis, Cornwall has introduced a compulsory registration system for short-term holiday rentals. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo have dramatically increased the number of properties used for tourism purposes, often at the expense of local housing availability.
The UK government has proposed a £160m investment in 2023 to tackle holiday issues, with the aim of reducing issues such as unaffordable housing and disturbances during busy periods. .
Wales:
Wales, home to picturesque scenery and historic castles, is moving towards introducing a 'tourist tax' to fund sustainable tourism initiatives.
The Welsh Government plans to introduce legislation in November 2023 that would impose a maximum charge of £1.25 per night on tourists, and bring it into force by 2027.
Edinburgh:
The historic city of Edinburgh, known for its iconic castle and annual festival, is preparing to introduce a tourist tax to manage soaring tourist numbers.
Starting in July 2026, travelers staying in hotels, B&Bs, campgrounds, or short-term rentals like Airbnb will be required to pay a levy of 5% of the cost of their stay per night.
The levy has the potential to generate up to £50 million a year, which will go toward improving public services and infrastructure to benefit locals and visitors alike.
Yorkshire Dales:
A national park famous for its rolling hills and charming villages, the Yorkshire Dales is tackling overtourism by prioritizing the needs of local communities.
Authorities are proposing a ban on the construction of holiday homes and holiday homes in the Dales.
To combat the hollowing out of rural areas, new housing developments within national parks will be designated for permanent occupancy.
Below is a breakdown of other destinations around the world that are taking action.
Italy
Venice: imposes a €5 (£4.20) fee on day trippers in spring and summer 2025, limits tour group sizes and bans cruise ships from entering the historic centre. Portofino: Tourists fined up to €275 (£232) Capri: Proposed buoy barrier to protect coastline Rome: Sardinia fines for going topless, leaving a 'love padlock' and eating dirty Islands: Beach bans and visitor restrictions for fragile ecosystems. Florence: Noise restrictions for short-term rentals and tour groups. Trentino Alto Adige: Guest restrictions and mandatory pre-registration for certain attractions.
Greece
Athens: The maximum number of visitors to the Acropolis per day is 20,000. Santorini and Mykonos: Cruise ship restrictions and a €20 (£16) surcharge during peak periods.
Spain
Barcelona: Increase in tourist tax and limit on cruise ship arrivals. Seville: Plans to charge entrance fee to Plaza Espanya. Mallorca: Anti-tourism protests and demands for housing reform. Menorca: Limited visiting hours in popular villages. Ibiza: New restrictions on cruise ships. .
Japan
Okinawa: Limiting the number of tourists on Iriomote Island to 1,200 people per day Ginzan Onsen: Limiting the number of day-trippers with restrictions during peak hours Kyoto: Accommodation tax will be increased by 2026.
France
Nice: Anti-tourism street art and restriction of tourist flows. Marseille: Ban on self-check-in lockboxes in vacation rentals.
Austria
Hallstatt: Tourist caps and physical barriers to reduce photo-related congestion.
ecuador
Galapagos Islands: Higher entry taxes and stricter ecological protection.
Philippines
Boracay Island: After reopening after closure, tourism is restricted to protect the ecosystem.
Thailand
Maya Beach: No swimming and limited visiting hours to protect the coral reef.
Malaysia
Penang: Ban on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb in residential areas.
Indonesia
Bali: $10 (£8) tourism tax and emphasis on sustainable travel behavior.
South Korea
Seoul: Tourists in Bukchon Hanok Village are ordered to curfew.
Netherlands
Amsterdam: Bans cruise ships from city center and launches anti-tourism advertising campaign.
french polynesia
Tahiti: annual visitor cap and local cruise line priority.
Peru
Machu Picchu: Time-limited tickets and a mandatory tour guide to manage attendance.
Croatia
Dubrovnik: Reduced cruise ship capacity and restricted visitors to the Old Town.
