Pat Hyland - Jan 27, 2025
Source: Tourism Review News
Dear Adventurer,
Tourism has grown into a billion-dollar industry for destination countries, but the downsides of mass tourism are becoming increasingly evident. Popular destinations worldwide are implementing innovative measures to combat overtourism, aiming to protect their cultural heritage and local communities.
Measures Taken by Top Destinations
1. Italy: Venice Doubles the Entrance Fee
2. Croatia: Dubrovnik’s New Rules
Dubrovnik has faced challenges from overwhelming tourist crowds. The city has restricted the number of cruise ships allowed to dock and discouraged inappropriate attire, such as swimwear in its historic old town. In addition, a restriction on furnishing new tourist apartments in existing buildings has been enforced.
3. Netherlands: Amsterdam Freezes Hotel Developments
Amsterdam continues to tackle the downsides of party tourism. In 2024, the city banned new hotel constructions and reinforced its visitor cap of 20 million annually, introduced in 2021, to maintain livability for its residents.
4. Greece: Access Limits at the Acropolis
The Acropolis in Athens now limits access to 20,000 visitors daily, ensuring the preservation of this historic site. Visitors must also book their trips in advance.
5. Austria: Hallstatt Blocks Selfie Hotspots
Hallstatt’s picturesque views have drawn overwhelming crowds due to its association with Disney’s "Frozen." To manage the influx, wooden fences have been erected at popular Instagram spots, limiting selfie opportunities.
6. Czech Republic: Prague Targets Beer Tourism
Prague is working to shed its image as a cheap beer destination. The city has banned guided pub crawls and plans to outlaw party costumes, aiming to attract more culturally-minded visitors.
7. Japan: Mount Fuji Fee Increase
To manage increasing tourist numbers, Japan doubled the fee for climbing Mount Fuji to $24 and capped daily climbers at 4,000. These measures help preserve the mountain’s natural beauty.
8. Spain: Barcelona’s Airbnb Ban
Barcelona is taking a bold stance by banning short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, effective in 2028, to prioritize long-term housing for residents.
9. Ecuador: Galapagos Islands Admission Tax Increase
The Galapagos Islands’ unique ecosystem faces significant risks from overtourism. To combat this, Ecuador has doubled the admission tax for the national park from $100 to $200.
10. Indonesia: Bali’s Backpacker Tax
Bali is addressing its "cheap island" reputation by introducing a $9 fee for backpackers to maintain its appeal and support sustainable tourism efforts.
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Warm regards,
The TravelSana Team
At your best anywhere, naturally!