Bhutan’s High-Value, Low-Impact Philosophy Faces Growing Pressures
Nestled high in the Himalayas, Bhutan imposed a Sustainable Development Fee of 1,200 rupees on Indian nationals per person, per day in September 2022, which severely impacted tourist footfall, with arrivals dropping to just over 100,000 in 2022-2023. In 2023, Bhutan collected around $26 million in revenues from the Sustainable Development Fee alone, marking the highest earnings from the SDF in Bhutan’s history and exceeding revenues collected before the pandemic. The Department of Tourism sets a $100 per person, per night fee for sustainable development. Officials predict receiving around 200,000 plus guests this year, with next year hitting pre-pandemic levels of around 300,000 to 350,000 arrivals. The challenge for Bhutan’s tourism sector today is to share its story of protecting the tiny Kingdom from climate change, with officials explaining that the SDF money is being spent on free healthcare for Bhutanese, free education, upgrading roads, infrastructure, upskilling people and protecting the environment. This small nation’s approach could signal complete tourism restriction if visitor numbers threaten their cultural preservation goals.
Venice Doubles Down on Day-Tripper Restrictions with Expanded Access Fees
Following the 2024 trial, day-trippers 14 years and older visiting Venice on certain dates between April 18 and July 27, 2025, must purchase a €5 entry ticket in advance, with the fee mandatory every day April 18–May 4 and then every weekend and public holiday through July 27. That cost doubles to €10 when tickets are booked less than four days in advance. Despite the new policy, official data shows that during the 29 dates the initial €5 access fee was in force in 2024, Venice received on average 7,000 more visitors compared to the same days of the previous year. With a population of fewer than 50,000 residents, the city receives around 40,000 tourists a day. Despite generating approximately €2.2 million in revenue, the tourist tax has faced significant criticism, with opposition city council member Giovanni Andrea Martini calling the ticket “a failure,” citing data that showed an average of 75,000 daily visitors during the trial period—10,000 more than the previous year. The city’s escalating measures suggest complete tourist restrictions could be next if these fees fail to control crowds.
Japan Implements Strategic Restrictions to Combat Overtourism Surge
Japan welcomed nearly 37 million international visitors in 2024, according to Travel and Tour World, but tourists have been banned from certain private streets in Kyoto’s famous historic Gion district, largely due to antisocial behaviour, with unruly tourists even being blamed for harassing geisha, with the Japan Times reporting that one had her kimono torn and another had a cigarette butt put in her collar. Japan has set a strict daily cap of 8,000 visitors on the Mount Fuji climbing trail, implemented in July 2024, to combat the mountain’s overwhelming popularity and maintain its delicate ecosystem. These measures include an entry fee, a daily climber cap, and online reservations, which resulted in a 14% decrease in climbers during the 2024 hiking season compared to the previous year, despite Japan experiencing record-high overall tourist numbers. Many Japanese islands have introduced an “entrance tax” on visitors to curb overcrowding, with visitors to the island of Miyajima paying a JPY 100 fee from October. The country’s systematic approach to capacity limits suggests broader restrictions could follow if current measures prove insufficient.
New Zealand Shifts Focus from Quantity to Quality Tourism
The pandemic recovery period has seen New Zealand reassess its tourism strategy dramatically. New Zealand’s dramatic landscapes and adventure activities are a draw for many, leading to increased tourist numbers, with the impact on local communities and nature prompting action. The government has introduced tourist levies to fund conservation efforts and infrastructure improvements. The country’s strict COVID-19 border controls from 2020-2022 gave officials a glimpse of what life could be like with severely limited international tourism. Now, authorities are using that experience to implement more sustainable tourism practices. Tourist levies have increased, and there’s growing political support for keeping visitor numbers at manageable levels rather than pursuing aggressive growth targets. The emphasis on “clean, green” tourism means that if environmental impacts become too severe, New Zealand could implement caps similar to those being tested in other destinations.
Thailand Balances Tourism Revenue with Environmental Protection
Thailand’s beaches and temples have long been a tourist favorite, but the rise in visitors has led to environmental and cultural challenges, with some areas closed for restoration and the government placing restrictions on certain activities to preserve the country’s natural and cultural heritage. Thailand seeks to balance tourism with the well-being of its environment and communities. Maya Bay, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach,” was closed for four years from 2018 to allow coral reefs to recover from tourism damage. Similar temporary closures are becoming more common as authorities prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term tourism revenue. The government has introduced stricter regulations on marine activities and is considering seasonal restrictions for certain islands. If environmental degradation continues despite these measures, Thailand may follow Bhutan’s example of dramatically restricting tourist numbers to protect its natural heritage.
Iceland Considers Caps on Sensitive Natural Sites
Iceland is planning to restrict tourism on their land, with a report presented to parliament asking them to limit the amount of people allowed to certain places on the island due to those places suffering. The Nordic island nation has seen explosive tourism growth since the 2010 volcanic eruption that initially disrupted air travel but later sparked global interest. Popular sites like the Blue Lagoon, Geysir, and Gullfoss waterfall are showing signs of environmental stress from the constant flow of visitors. Iceland will try to maintain its reputation as a pristine destination while managing the pressures of tourism. The Icelandic government is studying visitor capacity limits and has already begun requiring advance bookings for some natural attractions. Local communities are expressing concern about the impact on their daily lives, and there’s growing political pressure to prioritize preservation over tourism revenue. If current management strategies fail, Iceland could implement strict quotas similar to those used in Antarctica.
Greece Introduces Peak Season Visitor Limits on Popular Islands
The Mediterranean nation that relies heavily on tourism revenue is taking unprecedented steps to control visitor numbers during peak periods. Anti-tourism protests have been occurring in cities across Spain, including Madrid, Malaga, Granada, and Alicante, and in tourist hotspots like Portugal, Italy, and Greece. Santorini and Mykonos, two of Greece’s most photographed destinations, are implementing daily visitor caps during summer months to prevent overcrowding and infrastructure overload. The Greek Ministry of Tourism has launched campaigns promoting off-season travel and less-visited islands to distribute tourist pressure more evenly. Water scarcity during peak summer months has become a critical issue, with some islands struggling to provide adequate supplies for both residents and tourists. Local communities are increasingly vocal about the need for sustainable tourism practices. If these voluntary measures don’t reduce strain on infrastructure and environment, Greece may be forced to implement mandatory restrictions that could effectively shut certain islands to tourists during peak periods.
Peru Reinforces Strict Controls at Machu Picchu
The ancient Incan citadel continues to face mounting pressure from international tourism despite existing restrictions. Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city, is an archaeological marvel that’s feeling the strain of tourism, seeing thousands of visitors daily and risking damage to its fragile structures, with authorities introducing ticketing restrictions to limit daily visitor numbers. Peru’s Ministry of Culture has maintained strict daily limits of around 2,500 visitors, but demand consistently exceeds capacity, leading to a thriving black market for tickets. The site’s UNESCO World Heritage status requires Peru to demonstrate active preservation efforts, and there’s growing international pressure to reduce visitor numbers further. Recent studies have shown accelerated erosion of stone structures and soil instability on the mountain terraces. These measures ensure that the site remains intact for future exploration, with Peru demonstrating its commitment to preserving its historical treasures while still welcoming curious travelers. If damage continues despite current restrictions, Peru may be forced to implement temporary closures or reduce daily visitor limits to just a few hundred people.
Kenya Faces Security and Conservation Pressures on Tourism
East Africa’s tourism powerhouse is grappling with multiple challenges that could severely impact international visitor access. Security concerns in certain regions have led to temporary closures of popular safari destinations, while conservation efforts require increasingly strict controls on wildlife viewing. The Kenya Wildlife Service has implemented seasonal restrictions in some national parks to protect animal migration patterns and breeding seasons. Poaching activities have forced authorities to enhance security measures, sometimes requiring the temporary closure of park areas to tourists. Political instability in neighboring regions has created additional security concerns that affect tourism planning. The delicate balance between conservation needs and tourism revenue is becoming harder to maintain as wildlife populations face increasing pressure. If security situations deteriorate or if conservation efforts require more drastic measures, Kenya could be forced to significantly restrict or temporarily halt tourism in key wildlife areas.
Italy Expands Heritage Site Visitor Restrictions
Cities have been battling over-tourism with fines, fees, and bans, with some implementing smaller rules to deter tourists, such as no selfies in Portofino, no sitting on Spanish steps in Rome, no cruise ships in Dubrovnik or Santorini, and no flip-flops in Cinque Terre. Italy’s approach to managing overtourism at its UNESCO World Heritage sites is becoming increasingly restrictive. Popular destinations like the Cinque Terre, Pompeii, and Venice have all implemented various forms of visitor controls, from timed entry tickets to seasonal restrictions. Rome has banned sitting on the Spanish Steps and eating near major monuments, with hefty fines for violations. The Italian Ministry of Culture has increased funding for site maintenance while simultaneously implementing stricter visitor management protocols. Florence is considering following Venice’s example with day-tripper fees, while other historic city centers are exploring limits on short-term vacation rentals. The cumulative effect of these restrictions suggests that Italy may eventually implement comprehensive tourism controls that could effectively limit access to major cultural sites during peak periods.
Tourism might be getting too much of a good thing for these ten destinations. What would you have guessed about your favorite travel spot?
