Tourism At A Tipping Point: Over Tourism In India And The World

As the iconic global destinations, from Venice to Kyoto, adopt measures to curb overtourism, the crisis is now echoing in India. With Shimla, Goa and Ladakh witnessing record domestic footfall, experts are urging policy shifts. From tourists' taxes abroad to crowd caps at home, the industry faces a reckoning between economic gain and sustainability.

In 2024 alone, Europe welcomed over 747 million international visitors, according to the UN World Tourism Barometer. Southern and Western Europe accounted for the lion's share, over 70%. Thus, highlighting the intense pressure on countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Greece. While travel may have resumed with energy and enthusiasm, the ripple effects are becoming difficult to ignore.

Spain's Barcelona stands as a symbol of resistance to unchecked tourism growth. With 26 million tourists descending upon a city of just 1.6 million residents, locals have begun voicing their frustration more visibly. Protests, once rare, have become a common sight. Graffiti reads "Tourists go home", and some residents have resorted to spraying water at visitors to make a point.

Elsewhere in Europe, the picture is similarly strained. Venice, Italy's floating city, has introduced an entry fee for day trippers, ranging from € 3 to € 10, depending on the season. Additionally, Venice has introduced a € 5 day-trip tax to discourage short-term tourists from overloading the city. The UNESCO-listed town is also under threat of being classified as an endangered heritage site due to mass tourism and population loss. In Greece, record-breaking visitor numbers have led to a shortage of water and housing, particularly on islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. At the same time, local protests over private control of beaches have garnered headlines. To control crowds, Greece has implemented a €20 levy for cruise ship visitors to islands like Santorini and Mykonos during peak summer, and capped daily cruise ship visitors on Santorini at 8,000.

Other destinations have followed suit. In Kyoto, Japan, the lodging tax for hotels is set to increase to a maximum of 10,000 yen, ten times the current cap of 1,000 yen. Bhutan now charges a $100 daily fee for visitors, down from $200 in 2023, to promote low-impact tourism. Ecuador's Galapagos Islands have raised their tourist entry tax to $200 for international travellers. Bali has introduced a $10 tourist tax with plans to distribute handbooks on acceptable behaviour.

Seville, Spain, plans to charge travellers for entry to the Plaza de España to combat overcrowding from tourism. In Edinburgh, Scotland, a 5% tourist tax on accommodation will be introduced from 2026, expected to raise 50 million annually.

The Louvre Museum in Paris, which sees double the number of visitors it was designed to accommodate, shut down recently due to the staff strikes over unsafe conditions caused by overcrowding. Meanwhile, France and Spain continue to top the global tourism charts, each receiving around 100 million and 94 million tourists, respectively, in 2024. But this success comes with a cost. As international spending on travel in Europe is projected to reach $838 billion, infrastructure, housing, and public services are increasingly being pushed to their limits.

So what is fueling this boom?

The answer lies in a combination of affordable flights, AI-powered travel planning, and the influence of social media. Many tourists, especially from wealthier nations such as the US, the UK, China, and Japan, are eager to visit Europe's iconic spots simultaneously in large numbers. Ride-hailing apps now offer helicopter and boat rides in places like the Amalfi Coast to help users escape congestion.

In response, several global destinations are restricting access to reduce strain. Machu Picchu in Peru enforces strict time slot ticketing. Amsterdam aims to reduce its annual visitor numbers by 271,000 and cap overnight stays at 20 million, while also limiting river cruises and banning new hotels. In Spain, Ibiza now allows no more dockings ot seven and removed a key bus route to Parc Güell. Austria's Hallstatt blocked lake views to deter visitors. Menorca limits tourists' hours in Bini Beca Vell to between 11:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. In Seoul, tourists will only be allowed in the Bucheon 11-gil Red Zone between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with a fine of 100,000 KRW for violations, and a complete bus ban will take effect starting in January 2026. French Polynesia plans to cap annual tourist numbers at 280,000. Italy's Trentino Alto Adige limits overnight guests to 2019 levels and requires pre-registration for posts like Alpe di Siusi.

Tourist behaviour is also under scrutiny. Amsterdam warns rowdy British tourists to stay away. Croatia's Dubrovnik is a haven for those who enjoy eating near monuments or climbing city walls. Rome bans shirtless tourists, love padlocks, and snacking near the Trevi Fountain. Sardinia fines up to 3500 euros for disturbing Piaggi Rosa's pink sands. Prague bans outrageous stag party outfits. The portfolio imposes a 275 euro fine for taking selfies in congested zones. Some regions are prioritising environmental sustainability. Itay's Capri is installing a 40-busy offshore barrier to protect its coast from boat damage.

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