In a bid to combat overtourism, 39 destinations around the world have introduced measures to regulate visitor numbers and preserve their cultural and natural heritage.
The post-pandemic resurgence in global travel has pushed many popular destinations beyond their limits, prompting governments and local authorities to enforce stricter rules and taxes on tourists.
These initiatives aim to protect ecosystems, support local residents, and encourage sustainable tourism practices.
Notably, four such places in the UK have taken a stand against mass tourism in popular hotspots.
Cornwall:
Cornwall is renowned for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and quaint villages, and has long been a magnet for domestic and international tourists.
However, the influx of visitors has created significant challenges, particularly in the housing market.
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, often at the expense of local housing availability.
In 2023, the UK government proposed a £160 million investment to tackle issues arising from holiday lets, aiming to alleviate problems such as unaffordable housing and disruptive behaviour during peak seasons.
Wales:
Wales, with its picturesque landscapes and historic castles, is moving toward implementing a “visitor levy” to fund sustainable tourism initiatives.
The Welsh government introduced a bill in November 2023 to charge tourists up to £1.25 per night, with plans to implement the levy by 2027.
Edinburgh:
The historic city of Edinburgh, known for its iconic castle and annual festivals, is preparing to introduce a tourist tax to manage its booming visitor numbers.
From July 2026, visitors staying in hotels, B&Bs, campsites, or short-term rentals like Airbnb will be required to pay a five per cent levy on the cost of their accommodation per night.
The levy could generate up to £50 million annually, earmarked for improving public services and infrastructure to benefit both locals and tourists.
Yorkshire Dales:
The Yorkshire Dales, a national park famous for its rolling hills and charming villages, is addressing overtourism by prioritising the needs of its local communities.
Authorities have proposed a ban on the construction of second homes and holiday lets in the Dales.
Any new housing developments within the national park will be designated for permanent occupancy to combat the hollowing out of rural communities.
Here’s a breakdown of other destinations around the world taking action:
Italy
- Venice: A €5 (£4.20) fee for day-trippers in spring and summer 2025, alongside limits on tour group sizes and a ban on cruise ships entering the historic centre.
- Portofino: Fines up to €275 (£232) for tourists, creating congestion in selfie spots.
- Capri: A proposed buoy barrier to protect its coastline.
- Rome: Fines for going topless, leaving “love padlocks,” or eating messy food near landmarks.
- Sardinia: Beach bans and visitor caps on fragile ecosystems.
- Florence: Restrictions on short-term rentals and tour group noise.
- Trentino Alto Adige: Guest caps and mandatory pre-registration for certain attractions.
Greece
- Athens: A cap of 20,000 daily visitors to the Acropolis.
- Santorini & Mykonos: Cruise ship limitations and a levy of €20 (£16) during peak seasons.
Spain
- Barcelona: Raised tourist taxes and restricted cruise ship arrivals.
- Seville: Plans to charge for entry to Plaza de España.
- Mallorca: Anti-tourism protests and calls for housing reforms.
- Menorca: Limited visiting hours in popular villages.
- Ibiza: New cruise ship restrictions.
Japan
- Okinawa: A daily cap of 1,200 tourists on Iriomote Island.
- Ginzan Onsen: Peak-hour restrictions limiting the number of day trippers.
- Kyoto: Increased accommodation taxes by 2026.
France
- Nice: Anti-tourism street art and limits on visitor flow.
- Marseille: Ban on self-check-in lockboxes for holiday rentals.
Austria
Hallstatt: Tourist caps and physical barriers to reduce photo-related congestion.
Ecuador
Galapagos Islands: Increased entry taxes and strict ecological protections.
Philippines
Boracay: Limits on tourism to protect its ecosystem after reopening post-closure.
Thailand
Maya Beach: A swimming ban and time-limited visits to preserve coral reefs.
Malaysia
Penang: A ban on short-term rental platforms like Airbnb in residential areas.
Indonesia
Bali: A $10 (£8) tourist tax and an emphasis on sustainable travel behaviour.
South Korea
Seoul: A curfew for tourists in the Bukchon Hanok Village.
Netherlands
Amsterdam: Banned cruise ships in the city centre and implemented anti-tourism ad campaigns.
French Polynesia
Tahiti: Caps on annual visitor numbers and prioritisation of local cruise lines.
Peru
Machu Picchu: Time-limited tickets and mandatory tour guides to manage footfall.
Croatia
Dubrovnik: Reduced cruise ship capacity and limits on old town visitors.
This post was originally published on here
