While there are plenty of airline and package holiday sales running online right now, it may be tempting to book a getaway for the new year. However, travellers have been advised against visiting these ‘no-go’ areas, including popular tourist hotspots.
Brits are being cautioned against visiting 15 specific locations in the coming year.
Despite the allure of numerous airline and package holiday deals currently available online, travellers are being advised to steer clear of these ‘no-go’ zones, which include some well-known tourist destinations.
This warning comes from English travel guide producer Fodor, who has released its list of places to avoid in 2025, with some surprisingly close to home. The guide was assembled based on “highly coveted tourist spots [that] are collapsing under the burden of their own prominence”, with overtourism cited as a key issue.
Fodor’s editors commented: “These places are popular for good reason – they’re beautiful, fascinating, and culturally significant. But some of these sought-after tourist spots are buckling under the weight of their own fame.”
Among the listed destinations are Italy, Spain and Japan, but one Scottish location also made the cut. The team elaborated: “But we do believe that acknowledging the problem is the first step towards solving it. The No List serves to highlight those destinations where tourism is putting unsustainable pressure on the environment and local communities.”
Scotland’s North Coast 500, a stunning 516-mile route, has landed the 12th spot on the list. The area not only showcases Scotland’s rich history but also offers breathtaking coastal views through Wester Ross, Sutherland, Caithness, Easter Ross, the Black Isle and Inverness-shire, reports the Express.
However, Fodor has pointed out that the surge in tourism to the North Coast 500 has become a “nuisance to the communities” due to a lack of facilities and congested roads.
Fodor’s ‘no-go’ list also highlights other global destinations suffering from overtourism. Bali is grappling with a “plastic apocalypse” of litter, while Sicily’s Agrigento is dealing with a severe water shortage due to an influx of visitors.
In Mexico’s Oaxaca, there are concerns about cultural commodification due to excessive tourist numbers. Even Japan isn’t immune, with Tokyo and Kyoto so crowded that main tourist sites are difficult to navigate comfortably.
This is coupled with a spike in living costs for locals due to high demand.
Meanwhile, travellers may consider destinations like Barcelona, Venice and the Canary Islands worth revisiting. However, research has shown a “a record-breaking year for international travel to Europe”.
According to the European Travel Commission, visitor numbers in the first quarter of 2024 alone were 7.2 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Overtourism is to blame, with numerous locals from these popular destinations protesting the overwhelming influx of tourists expected throughout 2024. Here’s the complete rundown of “do not visit” spots.
The full list of “do not visit” locations:
- Bali, Indonesia
- Barcelona and Majorca, Spain
- Canary Islands
- Venice, Italy
- Agrigento, Sicily, Italy
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Britain Virgin Islands
- Kerala, India
- Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan
- Oaxaca, Mexico
- Scotland North Coast 500
