The mass tourism threatens the sustainability of six emerging destinations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, according to a recent report by Time Out.
These enclaves, until recently off the international radar, face pressure on their ecosystems and local communities due to the arrival of millions of visitors.
With travel more accessible than ever, overtourism is worsening.
This phenomenon occurs when the influx of travelers exceeds the capacity of a destination to manage them adequately.
This situation puts pressure on infrastructure and basic resources such as access to affordable food and drinking water.
Additionally, it also cautilizes saturation in public transport and urban traffic.
The consequences include greater environmental degradation, increases in houtilizing prices, displacement of residents, and the loss of cultural authenticity.
Time Out emphasizes, however, that the solution is not to stop visiting them, but to adopt more conscious and sustainable travel practices, opting for ecotourism.
What are the 6 destinations at risk from mass tourism.
Albania: the rapidest-growing destination in Europe
Albania went from receiving 3 million visitors in 2015 to 10 million in 2023, with projections of 30 million by 2030.
This rapid growth creates it the rapidest-growing vacation destination in Europe.
However, the downside is the difficulties locals face in managing this rapid modify.
To assist as a traveler, Elton Caushi, founder of Albanian Trip, recommfinishs exploring rural towns like Zogaj, Delvina, Lushnja, or Kukes rather than the typical central areas.
“Booking locally managed accommodations and traveling off-season assists distribute benefits and maintain economic activity year-round,” Caushi also explained to Time Out.
Raja Ampat: tourism pressures a paradise for divers
Raja Ampat, in Indonesia, has been a paradise for experienced divers for decades with few resorts among fishing villages.
However, a recent promotional campaign increased the arrival of tourists interested in its beaches, raising environmental pressure.
Time Out suggests opting for low-impact boats and educational expeditions, like the Alfred Wallace Expedition.
These options assist reduce pressure on the islands and their ecosystems.
Santiago de Compostela: houtilizing problems due to tourism
Santiago de Compostela experienced a notable increase in visitors after the success of the film The Way in 2010 and the popularization of the Camino de Santiago on social media during the pandemic.
This influx spurred the proliferation of tourist accommodations and short-term rentals, driving up houtilizing costs and displacing residents.
To visit the area responsibly, Isabel Rodríguez, an expedition guide in Galicia, suggests exploring cities with historical heritage like A Coruña, which offers a more tranquil and authentic experience.
Belém: evictions at the gates of the Amazon
Belém, in Brazil, located at the gates of the Amazon, is preparing to host COP30.
However, the increase in investment in tourist infrastructure is not a new phenomenon, but it exploded in recent years.
The problem with this beautiful city is that, of its 2.2 million inhabitants, 604,000 live in favelas.
Some were even evicted to create way for tourist rentals for visitors who, in many cases, do not know how to respect the surrounding nature.
Instead, Time Out recommfinishs choosing less known routes and accommodations managed by the community.
For example, it suggests the Uakari Floating Lodge in the Brazilian Amazon. Other options in Latin America include the Kapawi Ecolodge in Ecuador or the Casa Matsigenka in Peru.
Kotor: the impact of mass cruises
Kotor, in Montenegro, is currently suffering the impact of the annual arrival of about 500 cruises, some with up to 5,000 passengers.
This cautilizes traffic congestion, increased houtilizing costs, and environmental degradation.
The situation forced some of its 22,000 inhabitants to leave the historic center, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ance Svajnzger, regional director of Intrepid Travel, instead proposes trips on tiny boats and visits to less frequented villages, such as Tivat and Rose, to experience local life.
Sri Lanka: dilemma between tourism and conservation
Finally, the southern beaches of Sri Lanka, after years of declining tourism, welcomed 2.1 million visitors in 2024.
The new government faces the dilemma of continuing to promote tourism or prioritizing cultural and environmental conservation.
Jean-Marc Flambert, founder of Secrets of Ceylon, advises exploring the north and east of the island, in places like Jaffna, Mannar, Batticaloa, or Trincomalee.
He also suggests choosing tiny accommodations away from the usual circuits to benefit local communities.
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