Top 9 Destinations Where Tourists Face Resistance
Travel has become easier and more affordable, leading to a surge in tourism worldwide. But not everyone welcomes the flood of visitors with open arms.
Many popular destinations are now pushing back against mass tourism due to overcrowding, environmental damage, and rising costs for locals. Here’s a look at nine beautiful places where tourists might feel less than welcome these days.
1. Venice’s Battle Against Cruise Ships
The floating city struggles with nearly 30 million visitors annually crowding its narrow canals and historic squares. Locals have staged protests with signs reading “Tourists Go Home” while authorities implemented a controversial day-tripper fee in 2024.
Venetians worry their city is becoming a theme park as the local population has dropped below 50,000. Housing prices have skyrocketed as apartments convert to tourist rentals, forcing residents to relocate to the mainland.
2. Machu Picchu’s Strict Visitor Limitations
Did you know this ancient Incan citadel now requires timed entry tickets that sell out months in advance? The Peruvian government has imposed strict visitor caps to protect the fragile 15th-century ruins from erosion and damage.
Hiking trails leading to the site face similar restrictions. Many locals have mixed feelings about tourism – while it provides economic opportunities, they worry about preservation. The nearby town of Aguas Calientes struggles with infrastructure problems from the tourist influx.
3. Barcelona’s Graffiti Warnings to Tourists
Walking through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, you might spot spray-painted messages telling tourists to go home. This Spanish hotspot has become ground zero for anti-tourism sentiment, with locals organizing street protests against visitor overcrowding.
Housing costs have surged as apartments convert to vacation rentals. Barcelona’s mayor has frozen new hotel licenses and cracked down on illegal Airbnbs. La Barceloneta beach neighborhood residents complain about noisy, drunk tourists disrupting their community and treating their streets like an extension of the beach.
4. Amsterdam’s Push to Reclaim its Center
“We want a different type of visitor,” Amsterdam officials declared when launching their “Stay Away” campaign targeting rowdy tourists. The Dutch capital has banned new tourist shops, restricted short-term rentals, and even considered relocating its famous red-light district.
Cruise ship docking limitations are now in effect. Locals have grown tired of visitors who come primarily for cannabis cafes and partying. The city’s “Enjoy and Respect” campaign reminds tourists that real people live in this beautiful city and fines disruptive behavior like public urination and excessive noise.
5. Santorini’s Daily Cruise Ship Caps
Those iconic white buildings with blue domes face a daily invasion that has locals concerned about their island’s future. Authorities now limit cruise arrivals to 8,000 passengers daily after residents complained about impossible crowding in narrow streets.
Water scarcity has become a serious issue during peak season. The Greek government worries that overtourism threatens the very beauty that attracts visitors. Local transportation systems strain under the pressure while donkeys, traditionally used to carry visitors up steep paths, suffer from overwork and improper treatment.
6. Kyoto’s Geisha District Restrictions
Harassment of geisha apprentices by photo-hunting tourists led Kyoto to ban photography on private streets in the historic Gion district. Fines of 10,000 yen (about $92) await those who ignore the rules.
Locals have grown frustrated with visitors who treat their neighborhoods like theme parks. Traditional machiya houses convert to tourist accommodations at alarming rates. Temples and shrines that once welcomed quiet contemplation now manage crowds with timed entry tickets and designated selfie spots to preserve the peaceful atmosphere that made Kyoto special in the first place.
7. Cinque Terre’s Tourist Traffic Control
If you’ve seen photos of colorful houses clinging to Italian cliffs above the Mediterranean, you’ve glimpsed Cinque Terre’s appeal. These five fishing villages connected by hiking trails now use a ticketing system limiting visitor numbers to 1.5 million annually – down from the 2.5 million who came in 2015.
Trails between villages require passes that sell out quickly in summer. Residents worry their authentic communities are becoming souvenir shops and restaurants. Flash flooding has worsened due to environmental changes partly attributed to tourism infrastructure, making preservation efforts even more urgent.
8. Dubrovnik’s Game of Thrones Tourism Backlash
When HBO’s hit series featured this Croatian city as King’s Landing, tourism exploded beyond sustainable levels. The medieval walled city now limits cruise ships and uses cameras to count visitors, capping entry when numbers get too high.
Mayor Mato Franković admits they’ve made mistakes in managing tourism growth. Residents have protested against the transformation of their city into what some call a “Game of Thrones theme park.” Housing costs have risen dramatically as properties convert to short-term rentals, pushing locals outside the historic center they once called home.
9. Bali’s Mounting Tension with Disrespectful Visitors
This Indonesian paradise recently created a special tourist police unit specifically to handle misbehaving visitors. After several high-profile incidents of foreigners disrespecting sacred sites and local customs, authorities published a “dos and don’ts” guidebook for tourists.
Water shortages plague the island as hotels fill swimming pools. Traffic congestion has become unbearable in popular areas like Canggu and Seminyak. Many locals feel priced out of their own communities as foreign investors buy property, while traditional ways of life struggle to survive amid the influx of Western-oriented businesses catering exclusively to tourists.