Tourism crackdown: New fees and limits hit global hotspots
Many popular tourist destinations are introducing new fees and restrictions to manage the influx of tourists. These include Dubrovnik, Amsterdam, Bali, and Venice. The changes aim to protect local communities and infrastructure from excessive strain.
Dubrovnik, Amsterdam, Bali, and Venice are some of the places implementing new fees and restrictions for tourists. Dubrovnik has limited the number of cruise ships and has reduced the number of café tables and souvenir stalls. In Amsterdam and Bali, the construction of new hotels has been halted. In Venice, entry fees have been introduced, which recently increased from €5 to €10 (approximately $5.2 to $10.4) per day.
In many cities, such as Paris, locations in Greece, and the Czech Republic, new regulations regarding short-term rentals have been implemented. In New York, rental rules have also been tightened. Local authorities are trying to control the number of tourists and protect local communities from the negative impacts of mass tourism.
The authorities in many locations have raised tourist fees. For example, in Santorini and Mykonos, the fee per cruise passenger has increased by €20 ($21). In New Zealand, a tax of NZD 100 (approximately $60) has been introduced. On the Galapagos Islands, the tourist fee has increased to $200.
Since last year, climbers ascending the famous Japanese mountain, Fuji, have also faced new fees. Authorities charge an equivalent of about $13 for entry. These measures aim to balance tourism revenues with the protection of local resources.
Protests against mass tourism
In some cities, resistance to the phenomenon known as overtourism is taking dramatic forms. Crowds are also a significant problem for residents of places like the Canary Islands and Barcelona. In July, a march under the slogan "Enough is Enough" was held in the Catalan capital. Protesters wrapped some restaurants with tape and sprayed tourists with water guns.
Residents of London, on the other hand, have started posting positive reviews about average places to confuse artificial intelligence suggesting places worth visiting to tourists. As a result, they redirect tourists and influencers there.