Venice, Italy
The allure of Venice’s canals and architecture has made it a popular tourist destination, with over 80,000 visitors per day during peak seasons. However, this popularity is contributing to the city’s sinking problem. The weight of the tourists and their activities, such as large cruise ships, are putting a strain on the city’s delicate infrastructure. This has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of tourism in Venice.
Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The ancient Khmer temples of Angkor Wat attract thousands of visitors each year. While tourism funds are being invested into the restoration of the sites, the high volume of tourists is leading to the deterioration of the structures. Graffiti and other damage have become major issues at the popular tourist spot.
Phi Phi Islands
The Phi Phi Islands gained international fame after being featured in the movie “The Beach.” This led to a surge in tourism and resort development on the islands, which has put a strain on the local environment. Land preservation has become a major challenge, and efforts are underway to find a sustainable balance between tourism and conservation.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona has long been a popular tourist destination, but the high volume of visitors has led to concerns about the impact on the city and its residents. The authorities are taking action to address these issues, including banning large tour groups from hotspots like the Boqueria Market and cracking down on unlawful rentals. These measures aim to ensure that tourism in Barcelona is sustainable and benefits both visitors and locals.
Cuba
Tourism in Cuba has been growing rapidly in recent years, but the infrastructure has struggled to keep up with the influx of visitors. Overpriced restaurants, lack of accommodation options, and economic strain on locals are some of the issues that have arisen. While tourism has the potential to benefit the country’s economy, sustainable development is needed to ensure that it does not come at the expense of the local population.
Cinque Terre, Italy
The small and picturesque villages of Cinque Terre have seen a surge in tourism in recent years, with over 2.5 million visitors in 2019. However, this has put a strain on the local infrastructure and environment. To address these issues, the villages have implemented a limit of 1.5 million tourists per year, tracked using pedometers. Once this limit is reached, the villages will be closed to tourists to protect the local community and environment.
