The British public has been warned about 15 destinations labelled ‘do not visit’ for next year. With numerous airline and holiday package sales promising tempting deals online, many are considering booking their new year escape.
Nonetheless, these so-called ‘no-go’ zones should be avoided, including some crowd-favourite tourist spots. Fodor, the English travel guide publisher, has released its annual list of locales to steer clear of in 2025, citing concerns such as overtourism that place a strain on popular sites.
According to Fodor editors: “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.”
Italy, Spain, and Japan feature on the unwelcome list, alongside an unexpected inclusion from Scotland. The Fodor team said: “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 secured 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 along the North Coast 500 has become a “nuisance to the communities” due to a lack of facilities such as toilets and campsites, leading to roads becoming “congested with traffic”. .
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 have been 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 rise in living costs for locals due to high demand. .
Meanwhile, travellers may believe that destinations like Barcelona, Venice and the Canary Islands are worth revisiting. However, research has shown “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 has led to growing discontent among residents in these bustling locales, prompting protests over the influx of visitors anticipated in 2024.
Here’s the full list of ‘do not visit’ destinations:
- 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