Popular global destinations which are trying to limit tourism numbers

29 April 2024, 12:05 | Updated: 29 April 2024, 16:51

Growing tourism numbers are placing popular destinations under extra pressure - due to various factors including environmental and residential concerns.

Here are some locations limiting tourists - or which could be about to take action.

Venice, Italy

A controversial scheme has been introduced for day trippers in Venice in an attempt to reduce the number of tourists.

Signs inform visitors there is a new €5 fee (£4.28) to be paid as part of a trial phase during peak periods of the summer.

Around 200 stewards have been trained to politely walk anyone unaware of the charge through the process of downloading a QR code - with a kiosk set up for people not in possession of a smartphone.

The charge will not apply to hotel guests.

The city has an estimated 30 million visits from tourists every year.

Canary Islands, Spain

Officials are considering introducing stricter rules over tourism amid simmering anger among the locals who are worried about increasing visitor numbers.

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo said this month that although the region was a leading Spanish tourist destination, more controls were needed.

Just over a week ago, thousands of people protested in Tenerife, calling for the Spanish island to temporarily limit tourist arrivals.

They want to dampen a boom in short-term holiday rentals and hotel construction which is driving up housing costs for locals.

One of the leaders of the protest, Antonio Bullon, said: "The authorities must immediately stop this corrupt and destructive model that depletes the resources and makes the economy more precarious."

Haiku Stairs, Hawaii

Demolition of a mountain staircase which was built during World War Two on the Hawaiian island of Oahu was due to start this month - to prevent tourists from using it.

Hikers have long headed to the site, despite being officially closed to visitors since 1987, as part of efforts to access amazing views of the island.

Officials confirmed earlier this month the Haiku Stairs would be removed as part of an operation which will cost $2.5m (£2m).

They later said they were "disappointed and dismayed" visitors were still trying to reach the site despite their "warnings that the project to dismantle" the stairs had begun.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Access to one of the world's most popular heritage sites was temporarily closed to tourists last September.

Authorities took the decision amid growing concern over the deterioration of the site due to increasing footfall.

The site was built in the 15th century as a religious sanctuary for the Incas.

Maya Bay, Thailand

One of Thailand's most popular beauty spots was closed to tourists for four years from 2018 - after it was made famous by a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh island featured in the 2000 thriller The Beach - but increasing visitor numbers eventually forced officials to take action "to allow its ecology to fully recover".

Authorities decided to step in following reports that up to 80% of the coral in the bay had died.

Mount Fuji, Japan

Officials said a barrier will begin to be installed this week to block views of Mount Fuji in an effort to tackle growing tourism numbers.

The nation's highest mountain attracts many photographers and selfie-lovers.

But the authorities in the resort of Fujikawaguchiko said netting measuring 20 metres will be used to obstruct the view at one popular point.

Officials said they were taking action due to the bad behaviour of tourists.

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Cornwall, UK

Visitors may be charged a tax to visit the area, the county's tourism chief has said.

Visit Cornwall's chief executive Malcolm Bell said "it is time to have the debate" about charging tourists a fee.

But he also said such a move would have to be made together with neighbouring areas, reported Cornwall Live.

He added: "There is no point in Devon not having one and us having one."

(c) Sky News 2024: Popular global destinations which are trying to limit tourism numbers