The respected travel magazine Fodor’s recently published its annual Fodor’s No List, which includes destinations suffering from overtourism and overcrowding. “These places are magnificent, interesting and culturally significant,” the list’s authors write. “But many of these tourist spots are crumbling under the weight of the tourism that accompanies their fame.”
Destinations returning to the list
Bali, Indonesia: The island received 5.3 million international tourists in 2023, and in the first seven months of 2024, the number of foreign tourists increased to 3.5 million, 22% more than in the same period of 2023. The island produces 1 .6 million tons of waste per year, of which only 7% is recycled. Beaches like Kuta and Seminyak are covered in trash. In addition to the environmental crisis, excess tourism also causes an increase in prices.
Koh Samui, Thailand: The island has suffered from overtourism for many years. However, with the new season of the series “White Lotus” premiering in 2025, many fear for the future of the island. The island received 3.4 million tourists last year and these numbers are likely to increase by 10% to 20% in 2025. Experts warn that this will worsen existing problems on the island. Now there are 200 thousand tons of garbage on the island, and unauthorized construction is also actively taking place in mountainous areas.
Everest: In the last 25 years, the number of visitors to Sagarmatha National Park, home of Everest, has more than doubled, with around 58,000 tourists visiting the site annually. In 2023, the Nepalese government issued a record 487 permits to climb Everest, which also goes beyond the numbers. The number of tourists and climbers continues to grow.
Destinations that are beginning to suffer from tourist overload
Agrigento, Sicily, Italy: The city is preparing to become Italy’s cultural capital in 2025, which will likely lead to an increase in visitor numbers. However, the region faces a severe water shortage, which could worsen due to increased tourism, causing irreparable damage to cultural treasures and residents.
British Virgin Islands: The emphasis on cruise tourism prevents tourism revenue from reaching local residents. Furthermore, despite a 13-year wait for a sustainable tourism program, local residents remain skeptical about future infrastructure improvements.
Kerala, India: The state, known as “God’s Own Country,” has long attracted tourists with its tropical beaches and glistening waterways. In 2023, Kerala received a record 21.8 million domestic tourists and 649,057 international tourists. These figures are expected to be even higher in 2024. However, this causes great environmental damage. Local expert Saridhar Radekrishnan told Fodor’s: “The government is not regulating the growth of tourism, which has been a disaster.”
Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan: The authors of the list mentioned the term “Kankō kōgai,” which can be translated as “tourist pollution.” It has become popular in the Japanese media and reflects growing discontent with the city’s tourist overpopulation. This causes increased prices, shortages of services and disregard for local traditions.
Fodor journalists emphasized that these destinations deserve the recognition and love they receive. “They deserve your time and money. But the problems they face are real and require urgent solutions, they write. – Fodor’s does not support tourism boycotts because they harm local economies and do not lead to real change. However, we believe that the first step to alleviate the situation is to recognize its existence.”
Previously, Cursor wrote how many tourists have not been able to enter Israel since the beginning of the year.
