Tackling overtourism in 2025: how destinations are responding
Relebogile Mabotja speaks to speaks to Lynette Machiri a Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre about the impact of overtourism and how South Africans can explore smarter in 2025 when travelling.
In April 2024, Venice became the first city to introduce a €5 entry fee for day visitors. With 4.9 million arrivals in 2023 against a resident population of just 49,000, the city’s struggle with overtourism is longstanding. But they’re not alone.
Japan’s Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, who share Mount Fuji, have just announced new rules ahead of the 2025 climbing season. First up, anyone climbing Mount Fuji must book a slot online (with numbers restricted to 4,000 visitors per day), before paying 4,000 yen ($27) for a permit – twice the amount charged in 2024.
“Overtourism has been a threat to popular destinations like Venice, Barcelona and Mount Fuji for decades, but it’s impacting other destinations thanks to post-COVID travel surges,” explains Lynette Machiri, Customer Experience Leader for Flight Centre South Africa.
Travel is booming and the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) predicts global tourist numbers will rise from 1.5 billion in 2019 to 1.8 billion by 2030, placing added pressure on popular locations. While tourism remains a key economic driver, governments and tourism boards are introducing new measures to protect their landmarks, communities, and infrastructure.
“Visitor restrictions, new tourist taxes, and temporary closures are becoming more common,” says Machiri. “It’s important to stay informed about the evolving regulations in your chosen destination.”
The impact of cruise tourism
While South Africa is experiencing a welcome bumper cruise season (with 24 ships calling to Cape Town in March alone), other countries are having to take a long, hard look at the impact of cruise tourism – especially larger vessels. For example:
• Nice, France: From July 2025, cruise ships carrying more than 900 passengers will be banned.
• Iceland: A new per-passenger, per-day fee will result in 80 fewer cruise ship visits in 2025.
• Amsterdam: By 2026, sea cruises will be reduced from 190 to 100, and the main cruise terminal will be relocated.
Machiri predicts a surge in smaller-ship cruises, such as those operated by Oceania, Silversea, and Ponant, as well as major cruise lines introducing alternative ports and itineraries.
Limiting visitor numbers at popular landmarks
Much like the steps taken in Japan to protect Mount Fuji, crowd control is becoming a key focus at sites like Pompeii, just outside Naples, the Trevi Fountain in Rome, and the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland.
“Overcrowding impacts both residents and tourists, diminishing the overall experience,” says Machiri. “More and more destinations will introduce regulations to help manage visitor numbers.”
Tourist tax
Popular tourist spots are already leveraging visitor fees to manage crowds and fund infrastructure improvements, including:
• Venice, Italy: The tourist tax will increase to €10 in 2025.
• Thailand: A proposed travel tax of £6.87 for air arrivals could be implemented in mid-2025.
• Greece: Visitors will pay a tax of €8 per day during peak season.
• Azores, Portugal: A new fee of €2 per person per night will begin in 2025.
• Paris, France: Regional and tourist taxes will apply based on accommodation type.
• Maldives: The Green Tax will rise to $12 per day.
Machiri stresses that travellers must factor such costs into their budgets: “While these fees support sustainable tourism, it’s important for tourists to be aware of them before planning their trips.”
Playing your part
With tourism restrictions increasing, Machiri encourages travellers to embrace slow travel, support alternative destinations, and travel during shoulder season:
“Eighty per cent of travellers visit just 10% of the world’s most famous sites,” says Machiri. “By exploring new places and making intentional travel choices, we can help preserve these destinations for the future.”