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Tourist warning: Is your favourite holiday destination affected by new changes?
Holiday destinations popular with British tourists are beginning to struggle under the increasing volume of visitors.
Many countries are beginning to see a negative effect on their livability thanks to the sheer volume of additional people.
This has, in turn, meant governments are looking at ways to preserve the areas and protect them for the future.
From closing the area to visiter capping, which countries have changed the rules for travellers?
These favourite holiday destinations have all enforced new rules that could affect your trip this year.
Other parts of Italy such as Cinque Terre and Capri are also in talks to restrict tourist numbers
Italy – Different paths and gates for tourists
Popular parts of the country are beginning to buckle under the number of visitors in the summer months.
Venice has been hit the hardest, with the small sinking city seeing double the number of tourists than locals.
This has resulted in anti-tourism marches and protests as locals feel pushed out of the property market.
A recent attempt to curb travellers was to add separate walking lanes through the city as well as new gates.
These were then torn down as locals explained that it would not help the area.
Other parts of Italy such as Cinque Terre and Capri are also in talks to restrict tourist numbers to protect the environment.
Spain – Increase in tourist tax and bans on Airbnb
According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, Spain has overtaken the US for the most popular tourist destination, just being pipped to the top spot by France.
The Spanish islands remain one of the most popular holiday choices for British holidaymakers with Majorca and Ibiza offering a cheap trip abroad.
Yet the two islands have since doubled the tourist tax over the summer months to preserve the busy islands, with costs as much €4 a day.
The country has also had serious anti-tourist protests, with flares and demonstrations across the country.
Palma de Mallorca has recently banned residents from renting their apartments, such as through the sharing platform Airbnb, to prevent locals from being priced out.
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Tourist warning: Majorca has doubled the tourist tax this summer
Thailand – Beaches closed
The islands of Thailand have seen tourism increase every year as many head to the region for its beaches and warm climate.
It has had a negative effect with the eco-systems being damaged thanks to the number of boats traversing the area.
Maya Bay, the famous destination from the Leonardo DiCaprio film ‘The Beach’, will shut from June to September, the busiest months for holidaymakers.
It hopes that the time will allow the coral reefs to repair.
New rules are also coming into place for three popular islands of Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan.
Anyone fishing, feeding the sea-life, or anchoring on the coral reefs will face huge fines and even jail time, which will have an effect on the popular boat tours in the area.
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Tourist warning: Boracay island in the Philippines has shut due to raw sewage in the oceans
Philippines – Popular islands closed
The latest island to close is Boracay, one of the most popular islands in the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte dubbed the island a “cesspool” thanks to the sewage being dumped in the water by local restaurants and hotels.
Due to their proximity to the water, it meant it was easy for them to flood the sea with the waste, and it was discovered that over 4,000 homes were not connected to any sewer system.
It has recently struggled with the waste and rubbish plaguing the island despite it being famed for its beautiful white beaches.
With over two million tourists a year to the island, it is expected to cost the local economy £710 million.
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Tourist warning: Machu Picchu now imposes time limits for visitors
Peru – Machu Picchu visiter caps
The famous mountain ridge of Machu Picchu is popular with backpackers wanting to explore the ancient Incan citadel.
Visitors have since been capped to try and preserve the 1450s buildings.
Those wanting to visit must choose an AM ticket or a PM ticket, and can only enter between that time.
India – Taj Mahal visiter caps
The most famous landmark in India, the Taj Mahal, has also imposed tourist limitations to prevent overcrowding.
With crowds of up to 70,000 at its peak, it has since been reduced to just 40,000 a day since January this year.
It is also giving travellers a three-hour time limit.
