15 Popular Countries Limiting Tourism for Sustainability and Preservation
Tourism brings billions of dollars to global economies, but its overwhelming growth is becoming unsustainable for many destinations. The UN World Tourism Organization reported 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals in 2019, projected to double by 2030. This boom has strained infrastructure, diminished local culture, and harmed the environment in many destinations worldwide.
Consequently, several countries are fighting back by limiting tourism for the greater good. Here’s a look at 15 popular destinations taking steps to manage mass tourism more sustainably.
Spain
Spain has implemented decisive action to minimize over-tourism by focusing on its cities of Barcelona and Málaga. The popular tourist city Barcelona has taken measures to reduce its docking infrastructure for cruise ships and eliminate overcrowded bus services leading to Parc Güell. Vacation rental restrictions exist throughout 43 Málaga neighborhoods due to scarce housing resources available for Spanish residents.
These measures are motivated by the growing concern that over-tourism threatens historic sites and housing markets. The Andalucía region alone saw over 12 million tourists in 2023, raising alarms about the strain on infrastructure. These initiatives aim to prioritize community well-being while maintaining economic benefits.
Italy
Italy has implemented actions against excessive visitation in its popular cities, which experience overwhelming tourism. Day-trippers visiting Venice now need to pay a €5 fee for crowd management, and Florence has prohibited all Airbnb rentals in its traditional heart. Tourists visiting Portofino now face penalty fees when they crowd photography hotspots in the destination.
These measures reflect Italy’s commitment to safeguarding its cultural treasures and fragile ecosystems. In Sardinia, spending time on protected beaches like Spiaggia Rosacan can result in fines, depending on severity, which can reach €3,500. Thus, these measures demonstrate the need to protect natural treasures for future generations.
France
France has implemented measures to address the environmental impact of mass tourism, particularly along the French Riviera. After Cannes started decreasing its cruise ship traffic, Nice restricted boats that exceeded the passenger capacity of 900 people.
Similarly, French Polynesia has capped annual visits at 280,000 tourists to protect its unique biodiversity. These actions aim to reduce pollution, alleviate the strain on marine life, and preserve the natural beauty of these destinations.
Greece
Greece is overhauling tourism on its islands and historic landmarks to manage visitor pressure. Visitors can now only access Santorini and Mykonos by ship once a day, and the Acropolis visitor count is managed through time-limited entry to 20,000 people per day.
These efforts are designed to preserve Greece’s archaeological treasures and relieve the burden on small island ecosystems. To compensate for summer tourism’s environmental costs, the destination imposes a €20 fee.
Indonesia
The tourism industry in Bali tries to create equilibrium by charging visitors a $10 fee and distributing teaching materials about adequate tourist conduct. The implemented measures work towards controlling overpopulated beaches and tourist disturbances to promote sustainable travel behavior.
The implemented strategies aim to secure Bali’s cultural values and environmental stability by defining what visitors should expect when visiting.
Japan
Japan is tackling the challenges of overtourism with new measures. Kyoto plans to raise lodging taxes significantly by 2026 to promote more sustainable stays, while Iriomote Island in Okinawa has capped daily visitors at 1,200 to protect its UNESCO-recognized rainforest.
Urban tourist hotspots like Ginzan Onsen also limit access during peak hours, requiring reservations to prevent overcrowding and protect local communities and ecosystems.
Netherlands
Amsterdam has introduced strict limits on tourism to address overcrowding and protect its cultural identity. Tourism in this city is restricted through hotel development caps, cruise control measures, and night stay regulations, which restrict visits to 20 million annually.
These measures aim to reduce visitor numbers by over 271,000 annually, improving residents’ quality of life and ensuring Amsterdam retains its unique tourist charm.
Austria
The town leadership established wooden barriers obstructing view-worthy lake scenes to address over-tourism in Hallstatt, Austria. This UNESCO World Heritage site strives to maintain its storybook-like atmosphere and authentic charm.
Hallstatt aims to ensure its long-term appeal by regulating daily visitor numbers while protecting its cultural and natural heritage.
Scotland
In 2026, Edinburgh plans to implement a 5% tourist accommodation tax to reinvest in local infrastructure. This measure aims to balance managing crowds with generating funds to improve facilities shared by both locals and visitors.
The anticipated financial contributions from this tax are projected to generate £50 million yearly revenue dedicated to improving the city facilities.
Thailand
Thailand has introduced strict conservation efforts at Maya Bay on Ko Phi Phi Leh. Motorboats are now prohibited, and swimming is essentially banned to protect the area’s fragile coral reefs. This annual closure is part of an ongoing conservation effort that has transformed Maya Bay into a stunning example of sustainable tourism.
The initiative supports the regrowth of marine life and coral reefs while simultaneously permitting the environment to heal from human activity. The protected environment of Maya Bay can be admired during permitted tourist visits, which prioritize ongoing preservation for upcoming generations.
Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands have increased their entry tax for foreign visitors to $200 to support sustainable tourism. With eco-tourism gaining popularity, Ecuador has prioritized biodiversity conservation across the archipelago.
These fees aim to address the environmental challenges posed by increasing tourist activity and safeguard this unique ecosystem.
South Korea
Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village has recently introduced a curfew restricting tourist access between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. This change comes in response to residents seeking relief from the overwhelming volume of daytime visitors.
The curfew aims to ease tensions and balance preserving local heritage and accommodating tourism.
Malaysia
In Malaysia’s Penang region, Airbnb-style rentals have been banned in residential areas. This policy represents a forward-thinking measure that aims to resolve the adverse consequences that international tourism creates for permanent residents who need housing.
Penang establishes this restriction to support the sustainable development of residential communities unaffected by the influx of short-term visitors.
Peru
Machu Picchu now has a strict ticketing system with designated time slots to regulate access to the iconic UNESCO site. These restrictions minimize wear and tear on the historic treasure while enhancing visitors’ experiences.
Tourism access remains balanced through these measures, which maintain Peru’s vital cultural artifact.
England
Cornwall has cracked down on vacation rentals in England, while the Yorkshire Dales has banned new second homes unless built explicitly for permanent residents. Despite the potential economic losses, these measures were taken to combat housing shortages caused by over-tourism.
Cornwall, for example, anticipates an annual economic cost of £160 million, but the policy prioritizes long-term sustainability and the well-being of local communities.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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