18 Vacation Destinations That Have Become Overrun By Tourists

Who doesn’t want to see the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum? Unfortunately, the demand to do so has created a problem all around the world. The sheer number of travelers clamoring to see the most breathtaking sites our planet has to offer is turning dream getaways into nightmares instead. Here are 18 popular vacation locations where tourism has gotten out of hand.

Hawaii

As one of the U.S.’s most popular tourist destinations, Hawaii’s infrastructure and resources have been stretched thin by the massive number of visitors. Tourism accounts for approximately half of Hawai’i’s annual water consumption, causing frequent shortages for locals, and overcrowding is rife.

Las Vegas

The ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’ is known for its casinos, restaurants, and exciting nightlife; however, these same attractions draw in a detrimentally large number of tourists every year. The issue has become so bad that a new law has been introduced that forbids people from “stopping, standing or engaging in an activity that causes another person to stop” on pedestrian bridges around the famous Las Vegas strip!

New York City

One of the most iconic cities in the world can feel disappointing to many. Well-known locations such as Times Square are found to be over-priced and over-crowded. Plenty of visitors have also claimed that landmarks such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are not worth the exorbitant cost needed to visit them—costs that have been hiked due to increased demand.

Paris

Paris is a dream getaway for many American vacationers, but the French capital has become overrun by tourists. Iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame draw millions of tourists each year, resulting in The New York Times suggesting that it’s worth skipping the more famous attractions to visit less crowded locations such as the Philharmonie de Paris or the Centre National de la Danse.

Rome

Photo Credit: Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock.

Rome is another famous city known for having its attractions ruined by overcrowding. Locations such as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps draw huge numbers of tourists, causing stressful and hectic experiences for those who visit. Long lines and packed attractions diminish the once-incredible experience.

Santorini

Photo Credit: Roman Sigaev/Shutterstock.

The lovely whitewashed villages and black sand beaches of this Greek island are behind its popularity. Unfortunately, this has caused Santorini to become a major tourist trap. With its high prices, busy crowds, and narrow streets, you might be better off visiting one of the less crowded islands instead.

Barcelona

Photo Credit: Diego Thetower/Shutterstock.

This beautiful city is another place overwhelmed by tourist numbers, causing great strain on both its infrastructure and resources. According to Nanani World, cultural sites such as the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are negatively impacted by over-tourism, causing wear and tear that hampers the preservation efforts of these landmarks.

Machu Picchu

Photo Credit: Anton Ivanov/Shutterstock.

Drawing thousands of people a day as Peru’s most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu is another landmark suffering from large numbers of visitors. The erosion of stone buildings in the citadel is a direct result of overcrowding, resulting in many sections being closed off to aid in conservation.

Amsterdam

Famous for its canals and bridges, Amsterdam is also known as a popular destination for bachelor parties and rowdy visitors, thanks to the Red Light District. USA Today reports that there are fears that Amsterdam will become too expensive and “too dirty,” with the “Stay Away” initiative being created as a result.

U.S. National Parks

The United States is home to a huge number of stunning national parks, perhaps none more famous than the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Visitors are greeted with several hour-long traffic jams to reach the park in the first place, and when they do arrive, many find it overcrowded and uncomfortable.

Cancún

Known for its hot weather, beautiful beaches, and the rich culture of its Mayan ruins, this Mexican city is very popular with traveling Americans. Due to the peso being up against the dollar, however, prices are more expensive than ever in Mexico. This, combined with the large number of tourists there, can make the trip daunting.

Venice

Venice has been cracking down on mass tourism for a while now, with the famous canaled city now introducing bans on groups of over 25 people to improve the movement of people through the city center. This has been one of many attempts to improve the daily lives of Venetian residents coping with high tourist numbers.

Dubrovnik

The tiny city of Dubrovnik has been filled with tourists in recent years. The southern Croatian hotspot features famous architecture known for its appearance on the TV show Game of Thrones, but this popularity has utterly overwhelmed the limited resources and infrastructure of the city.

Bali

Photo Credit: Marius Dobilas/Shutterstock.

The province of Bali in Indonesia is considered paradise by many; however, this has caused an array of issues, such as a strain on resources and environmental concerns. Another problem caused by Bali’s popularity is the loss of traditional practices, as younger Balinese generations now devote less time to their cultural identity due to the rise in tourism.

Kyoto

Photo Credit: Toeizuza Thailand/Shutterstock.

The former capital of Japan is world-renowned for its cultural history but is also facing problems due to the demands of tourism. The Japanese tourism ministry has encouraged people to not just visit Kyoto but to spread out to lesser-known areas around the country.

Reykjavík

Photo Credit: DmitrySerbin/Shutterstock.

Reykjavík in Iceland has lots of natural wonders and attractions, but the popularity of a certain few has caused problems. Prominent locations such as the Gullfoss Waterfall and Geysir Hot Springs have faced issues as the local infrastructure is not built to match demand.

Prague

Photo Credit: Den Rozhnovsky/Shutterstock.

Prague’s Old Town has been the main draw for tourists for some time, bringing large crowds of people to the city. However, the overly crowded center impacts its charm. There have also been issues with maintaining the city’s historic integrity amid tourism.

Bangkok

According to Asia Highlights, during the cool season in Thailand, both tourist attractions, such as the Grand Palace and the Chatuchak Weekend Market, and nearby beaches are completely packed, making it hard to enjoy the rich culture and vibrant nature of Bangkok’s street life.

As boomers fondly clutch onto practices that evoke nostalgia, Gen Z is at the next counter, eagerly trading in the old for a dash of modern sparkle. From handwritten notes to digital memos, from piggy banks to digital wallets—the dance between ‘then’ and ‘now’ has never been more lively. Join us as we explore 18 traditions that boomers want to uphold but Gen Z says need to go.

BOOMERS HAVE SPOKEN: 18 TRADITIONS THEY WANT TO UPHOLD BUT GEN Z SAYS “NEED TO GO”