During 2025, more than 50 million people – about equal to the combined populations of California and Florida – visited Massachusetts.
Over 20 million tourists from Canada visited Louisiana. Many came to check out the Cajun and Creole roots which have ties to their country, and to enjoy the local music and entertainment scene.
Colorado’s tourism industry surged to unprecedented heights during the year, shattering previous records and establishing new benchmarks for visitor numbers, revenue generation and economic impact across the state.
While that was good news for hotels, restaurants and other businesses which cater to tourists, it meant crowded sites, long lines and other inconveniences at times for those seeking to enjoy what their destinations had to offer.
Some states, cities and towns in the Unites States and elsewhere have been overwhelmed recently with an onslaught of visitors. Along with the positive benefits of tourism, there can be a number of downsides to what is known as over-tourism.
That term describes the toll imposed by the large number of both domestic and international travelers. Last year, an estimated 1.5 billion people worldwide took to the roads, seas and sky during a quest for an escape from their daily routine. In an ironic twist of fate, that virtual invasion can greatly detract from the very attractions and appeals that visitors have gone to enjoy.
Some communities around the world are taking steps to alleviate the negative impact that an influx of large crowds can bring. In the Austrian village of Hallstatt – population about 800 -residents staged a blockade of the main entrance into town. Inhabitants of Venice, Italy hung protest flags on their homes. People in Barcelona, Spain sprayed visitors with water guns.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines too much tourism as when locals or visitors feel that it has a negative impact on the quality of life to an unacceptable degree. Among harmful effects can be crowded historic and other sites; exorbitant noise levels; traffic jams, and the replacement of local shops by stores catering to the preferences of tourists.
At the same time, tourism also has its upsides. One is the economic boost it gives to local economies, creating jobs, generating income for businesses, and stimulating growth in the hospitality, retail and transportation sectors.
In addition, people from around the world come together to learn about each other’s cultures, customs and way of life. Tourism also contributes to the protection and preservation of heritage sites, landmarks and traditions. And the list goes on.
In an effort to achieve a balance between the positive effects of visitors and the adverse impact that too many of them can have, government tourist offices and popular places are taking steps to seek a happy medium.
One approach is financial. Venice began charging an entrance fee on busy days. New Zealand imposed a special charge to be paid by visitors.
Among non-monetary tactics have been barriers erected at locations near Japan’s Mount Fuji and the Austrian Alps, which are popular with photographers, that block some of the best views. Amsterdam’s tourism marketing website has added less-visited sites – an often-overlooked suburban castle and an arts center located in a converted gas works building – to its list of recommended attractions.
The popular Greek island of Santorini has capped the number of people who may arrive each day by cruise ship. It also gives top priority to the most sustainable, environmentally friendly passenger vessels.
These efforts seek to achieve a favorable balance between the financial, cultural and other benefits of tourism, and negative impacts that too much of a good thing can bring. For travelers, visiting destinations that have implemented programs designed to accentuate the positive and mitigate adverse effects can add a feeling of doing good at the same time that they are having a good time.
