Last year, over 100,000 people took to the streets around the Canary Islands, Mallorca, Barcelona – and even Cornwall – to protest the impact of overtourism. Their message was clear: excessive tourism, without regulation, was putting too much pressure on rental prices and local infrastructure. As a result, many residents were being pushed out of their homes and were battling for space on their own doorstep.
READ MORE: Can popular European cities ever recover from overtourism?
While we’ve heard a lot about the overcrowded hotspots to avoid, there are still plenty of countries actively inviting visitors to enjoy their way of life. Often, these lesser-visited regions rely on well-managed tourism to supplement the local economy, fast-track infrastructure development and provide employment opportunities and financial independence for local communities. Importantly, tourism can facilitate the teaching and sharing of cultures and traditions that have been practised for centuries or longer. It enables deep-rooted customs to live on in the modern world. Perhaps most vitally, it brings people together through meaningful experiences – a reminder that our shared values go beyond borders.
By visiting the places that embrace tourism, we support the communities that need us most. So, as you plan your trips for 2025, consider travelling to the following countries – because they are ready and waiting for you.
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Karen Edwards is a freelance writer who specialises in responsible tourism. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.
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