Worst Places for Over Tourism in 2020 | MojoTravels
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VOICE OVER: Phoebe de Jeu
WRITTEN BY: Michael Wynands
Some places, no matter how beautiful, are simply too crowded to make for a pleasant or guilt-free visit.
Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 overtourism destinations to avoid in 2020.
For this list, we're looking at destinations around the world that have been, and will increasingly be, negatively impacted by the overwhelming number of travelers they receive each year.
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We're all things travel. Plan your next vacation, trip or holiday with our insider videos on food, hot spots, hacks, adventures, beaches, tips and more!
#Overtourism #TooManyTourists #Travel2020
Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 overtourism destinations to avoid in 2020.
For this list, we're looking at destinations around the world that have been, and will increasingly be, negatively impacted by the overwhelming number of travelers they receive each year.
Have your idea become a video!
https://wmojo.com/suggest
Travel to our subscribe button for more great content!
https://wmojo.com/mojotravels-subscribe
We're all things travel. Plan your next vacation, trip or holiday with our insider videos on food, hot spots, hacks, adventures, beaches, tips and more!
#Overtourism #TooManyTourists #Travel2020
Overtourism Destinations to Avoid in 2020
Some places, no matter how beautiful, are simply too crowded to make for a pleasant or guilt-free visit. Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we're counting down our picks for the Overtourism Destinations to Avoid in 2020.
For this list, we’re looking at destinations around the world that have been, and will increasingly be, negatively impacted by the overwhelming number of travelers they receive each year.
#10: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
There’s nothing quite like a roughly 900-year-old temple to attract a crowd. Surrounded by lush greenery, Angkor Wat is truly stunning to behold, and is a testament to the architectural skill of the Khmer Empire. As such, it’s unsurprising that Angkor Wat is the most popular destination in Cambodia, attracting visitors from around the globe to marvel at its majesty. The problem is, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is showing significant signs of wear due to the dramatic influx of tourists over the last three decades. From its steps to the bas-relief, the stone itself is being worn down. Worse yet, the tourist-centric businesses (like hotels) that have popped up around Angkor Wat have caused significant issues of water scarcity for locals.
#9: Isle of Skye, Scotland
If you’re a traveler whose wanderlust is driven by breathtaking landscapes, the Isle of Skye likely features prominently on your bucket list. Unless you’re okay with traffic clogging up those picturesque winding country roads however, you may want to look elsewhere. Greater attention via social media has made the Isle of Skye’s major attractions uncomfortably crowded. And unfortunately, those crowds bring with them a higher risk of disrespectful visitors who disrupt local life and damage the iconic features that make the landscape so picturesque - like the rock walls of Fairy Glen. The once-quiet island doesn’t have enough accommodations for the number of people who want to visit, and daily visitors arriving on cruise ships only exacerbate the issues of congestion at the popular sights.
#8: Amsterdam, Netherlands
With vibrant nightlife, the capital city of the Netherlands has become a major party destination. The thing is, Amsterdam is also an incredibly beautiful city that’s rich in culture, and this dual appeal means that the city is almost continuously overrun. It’s estimated that by 2025, the city will be playing host to 23 million travelers annually. And when a sizable portion of them have come to party, that significantly detracts from the inherent charms and cultural appeal of the city. It’s gotten so bad that tourism officials in the Netherlands are actively trying to diminish its reputation as a party city and encourage travel elsewhere in the country.
#7: Hanoi Train Street, Vietnam
You’ll likely recognize this iconic and distinct looking street from the countless photos you’ve seen of it on Instagram. This narrow passageway would be indistinguishable from the countless other residential streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, were it not for the fact that a train track runs along it, with trains passing twice a day. This oddity has made Hanoi Train Street a must-have photo for many a traveler. Unfortunately, the sheer number of tourists has grown so that it’s become dangerous. In an attempt to curb crowds on the street, the government has closed down all the tourist-centric cafes that sprung up alongside the tracks, and visitors are now highly discouraged from taking photos of the train when it passes.
#6: Iceland
Over the last decade, Iceland has undergone one of the most dramatic and highly publicized tourist booms in recent memory. By 2018, the total number of annual visitors had skyrocketed to approximately 2.3 million. Now, if Iceland was a nation of major cities and substantial infrastructure, that would be fine, but the entire population of the nation is just about 362,000, and that’s a steep tourist/resident ratio. Worse, the major draw to Iceland is its natural beauty, which is now threatened by heavy foot traffic. Plus, the crowds completely undermine what once made it so appealing: dramatic spaces in which one could find peace, quiet and solitude.
#5: Big Sur, United States
There are few scenic drives that can compete with California’s coastal Highway 1. It’s long appeared on the bucket lists of many a road trip enthusiast, and those lucky enough to have already cruised along it will confirm that the Big Sur section is a highlight. The problem is… there are now way too many people wanting to experience it firsthand. Following the success of the HBO series “Big Little Lies,” which used the iconic Bixby Bridge in its opening credits, the Big Sur section of the highway is often inundated with tourists and clogged with traffic, and that’s taking away from what makes Big Sur special. The area is sparsely populated; its rugged natural beauty and lack of infrastructure is part of its appeal. And with so many visitors, it’s not just the ambience that suffers, but the environment as well.
#4: Bali, Indonesia
For many, the word “Bali” conjures up images of paradise on earth. What the Instagram influencers don’t show you, however, are the shorelines covered in garbage, or the looks on the faces of locals when visitors wear beach attire to their sacred sites. While this island getaway is cheap and utterly breathtaking, tourist-focused businesses, including luxury accommodations, create issues of scarcity for locals. The litter problem has prompted the island to put a ban on “single-use” plastics, and there’s been talks of a tourist tax of $10 in order to offset the inherent infrastructure and environmental cost of hosting travelers. A concerted effort is clearly being made to right the course, but in the eyes of many, Bali has been fundamentally affected by overtourism already.
#3: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
With its unique wildlife and utterly awe-inspiring natural beauty, the famed Galapagos Islands feel like the ultimate exotic getaway. And yet, as tourists have increasingly moved towards experience-focused travel in recent years, the Galapagos Islands has found itself dealing with more attention than it wants. The annual number of tourists remains in the hundreds of thousands, not millions, but given the fragile ecosystems found here, and the limited space, those seemingly modest numbers can still have a significant impact. In order to curb the tide of tourists, Galapagos National Park is considering significantly upping its entry fee, which as of 2019, was $100. In order for future generations to appreciate the many wonders of the Galapagos, some of us might need to skip this destination in the meantime.
#2: Barcelona, Spain
The residents of this city are not shy about letting tourists know how they really feel. Though there are other areas of Spain which are happy to welcome the money that comes from the tourism industry, Barcelona has simply been suffering from overtourism too long. This is a city that has been pushed to a breaking point. In 1990, only 115,000 visitors came by boat. By 2019, that figure had jumped to 2.7 million. And that’s JUST the cruise ships! With over 30 million visitors per year, Barcelona’s identity is being washed away by the never-ending barrage of tourists. It’s gotten so bad that the citizens have literally taken to the streets and put up signs telling tourists to go home.
#1: Venice, Italy
There’s perhaps no greater tragedy of overtourism than Venice. It’s a truly one of a kind city, a destination that, in an ideal world, everybody would get the opportunity to experience at least once in their lifetime. Sadly, that’s simply impossible. Known for its picturesque canals, stunning architecture and captivating history, Venice is, on paper, synonymous with romance. But so many come seeking this experience each and every year that it’s becoming more painfully overcrowded every day. There are well over 30 million annual visitors compared to fewer than 60,000 residents in the historic district, and as overtourism worsens, the city is becoming downright unlivable. For a sinking city in an already precarious situation in terms of infrastructure, the situation has gotten so untenable that Venice is having to contemplate drastic measures in 2020.
Some places, no matter how beautiful, are simply too crowded to make for a pleasant or guilt-free visit. Welcome to MojoTravels, and today we're counting down our picks for the Overtourism Destinations to Avoid in 2020.
For this list, we’re looking at destinations around the world that have been, and will increasingly be, negatively impacted by the overwhelming number of travelers they receive each year.
#10: Angkor Wat, Cambodia
There’s nothing quite like a roughly 900-year-old temple to attract a crowd. Surrounded by lush greenery, Angkor Wat is truly stunning to behold, and is a testament to the architectural skill of the Khmer Empire. As such, it’s unsurprising that Angkor Wat is the most popular destination in Cambodia, attracting visitors from around the globe to marvel at its majesty. The problem is, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is showing significant signs of wear due to the dramatic influx of tourists over the last three decades. From its steps to the bas-relief, the stone itself is being worn down. Worse yet, the tourist-centric businesses (like hotels) that have popped up around Angkor Wat have caused significant issues of water scarcity for locals.
#9: Isle of Skye, Scotland
If you’re a traveler whose wanderlust is driven by breathtaking landscapes, the Isle of Skye likely features prominently on your bucket list. Unless you’re okay with traffic clogging up those picturesque winding country roads however, you may want to look elsewhere. Greater attention via social media has made the Isle of Skye’s major attractions uncomfortably crowded. And unfortunately, those crowds bring with them a higher risk of disrespectful visitors who disrupt local life and damage the iconic features that make the landscape so picturesque - like the rock walls of Fairy Glen. The once-quiet island doesn’t have enough accommodations for the number of people who want to visit, and daily visitors arriving on cruise ships only exacerbate the issues of congestion at the popular sights.
#8: Amsterdam, Netherlands
With vibrant nightlife, the capital city of the Netherlands has become a major party destination. The thing is, Amsterdam is also an incredibly beautiful city that’s rich in culture, and this dual appeal means that the city is almost continuously overrun. It’s estimated that by 2025, the city will be playing host to 23 million travelers annually. And when a sizable portion of them have come to party, that significantly detracts from the inherent charms and cultural appeal of the city. It’s gotten so bad that tourism officials in the Netherlands are actively trying to diminish its reputation as a party city and encourage travel elsewhere in the country.
#7: Hanoi Train Street, Vietnam
You’ll likely recognize this iconic and distinct looking street from the countless photos you’ve seen of it on Instagram. This narrow passageway would be indistinguishable from the countless other residential streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, were it not for the fact that a train track runs along it, with trains passing twice a day. This oddity has made Hanoi Train Street a must-have photo for many a traveler. Unfortunately, the sheer number of tourists has grown so that it’s become dangerous. In an attempt to curb crowds on the street, the government has closed down all the tourist-centric cafes that sprung up alongside the tracks, and visitors are now highly discouraged from taking photos of the train when it passes.
#6: Iceland
Over the last decade, Iceland has undergone one of the most dramatic and highly publicized tourist booms in recent memory. By 2018, the total number of annual visitors had skyrocketed to approximately 2.3 million. Now, if Iceland was a nation of major cities and substantial infrastructure, that would be fine, but the entire population of the nation is just about 362,000, and that’s a steep tourist/resident ratio. Worse, the major draw to Iceland is its natural beauty, which is now threatened by heavy foot traffic. Plus, the crowds completely undermine what once made it so appealing: dramatic spaces in which one could find peace, quiet and solitude.
#5: Big Sur, United States
There are few scenic drives that can compete with California’s coastal Highway 1. It’s long appeared on the bucket lists of many a road trip enthusiast, and those lucky enough to have already cruised along it will confirm that the Big Sur section is a highlight. The problem is… there are now way too many people wanting to experience it firsthand. Following the success of the HBO series “Big Little Lies,” which used the iconic Bixby Bridge in its opening credits, the Big Sur section of the highway is often inundated with tourists and clogged with traffic, and that’s taking away from what makes Big Sur special. The area is sparsely populated; its rugged natural beauty and lack of infrastructure is part of its appeal. And with so many visitors, it’s not just the ambience that suffers, but the environment as well.
#4: Bali, Indonesia
For many, the word “Bali” conjures up images of paradise on earth. What the Instagram influencers don’t show you, however, are the shorelines covered in garbage, or the looks on the faces of locals when visitors wear beach attire to their sacred sites. While this island getaway is cheap and utterly breathtaking, tourist-focused businesses, including luxury accommodations, create issues of scarcity for locals. The litter problem has prompted the island to put a ban on “single-use” plastics, and there’s been talks of a tourist tax of $10 in order to offset the inherent infrastructure and environmental cost of hosting travelers. A concerted effort is clearly being made to right the course, but in the eyes of many, Bali has been fundamentally affected by overtourism already.
#3: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
With its unique wildlife and utterly awe-inspiring natural beauty, the famed Galapagos Islands feel like the ultimate exotic getaway. And yet, as tourists have increasingly moved towards experience-focused travel in recent years, the Galapagos Islands has found itself dealing with more attention than it wants. The annual number of tourists remains in the hundreds of thousands, not millions, but given the fragile ecosystems found here, and the limited space, those seemingly modest numbers can still have a significant impact. In order to curb the tide of tourists, Galapagos National Park is considering significantly upping its entry fee, which as of 2019, was $100. In order for future generations to appreciate the many wonders of the Galapagos, some of us might need to skip this destination in the meantime.
#2: Barcelona, Spain
The residents of this city are not shy about letting tourists know how they really feel. Though there are other areas of Spain which are happy to welcome the money that comes from the tourism industry, Barcelona has simply been suffering from overtourism too long. This is a city that has been pushed to a breaking point. In 1990, only 115,000 visitors came by boat. By 2019, that figure had jumped to 2.7 million. And that’s JUST the cruise ships! With over 30 million visitors per year, Barcelona’s identity is being washed away by the never-ending barrage of tourists. It’s gotten so bad that the citizens have literally taken to the streets and put up signs telling tourists to go home.
#1: Venice, Italy
There’s perhaps no greater tragedy of overtourism than Venice. It’s a truly one of a kind city, a destination that, in an ideal world, everybody would get the opportunity to experience at least once in their lifetime. Sadly, that’s simply impossible. Known for its picturesque canals, stunning architecture and captivating history, Venice is, on paper, synonymous with romance. But so many come seeking this experience each and every year that it’s becoming more painfully overcrowded every day. There are well over 30 million annual visitors compared to fewer than 60,000 residents in the historic district, and as overtourism worsens, the city is becoming downright unlivable. For a sinking city in an already precarious situation in terms of infrastructure, the situation has gotten so untenable that Venice is having to contemplate drastic measures in 2020.
