Venice Takes the Lead with New Tourist Taxes
Venice is pioneering aggressive tourist restrictions that other destinations might soon follow. Starting in 2025, Venice will charge a small fee (€5–€10) for visitors on peak days between April and July. The city of canals has been overwhelmed by tourists, with over 20 million tourists a year for a city with just over 50,000 residents. This measure represents the most direct approach to controlling tourist numbers through financial barriers. Local authorities are watching closely to see if this model becomes the blueprint for other overwhelmed destinations worldwide. The implementation could signal a new era where popular cities prioritize local quality of life over unlimited tourist revenue.
Japan’s Mount Fuji Experiment Shows What’s Coming
To combat overtourism on Mount Fuji, Japanese authorities implemented new measures in 2024. Those include an entry fee, a daily climber cap, and online reservations. These efforts resulted in a 14% decrease in climbers during the 2024 hiking season compared to the previous year, despite Japan experiencing record-high overall tourist numbers. The success of these restrictions at Japan’s most iconic landmark proves that capacity limits work. Similar measures are being rolled out across Japan, with many Japanese islands introducing an “entrance tax” on visitors to curb overcrowding. From October, visitors to the island of Miyajima, home to the World Heritage site of Itsukushima Shrine will have to pay a JPY 100 fee. The city anticipates the new tax will bring in JPY 140m in FY23. This trend suggests that Japan is leading the charge in tourist restriction strategies that other countries will likely adopt.
Kyoto’s Private Street Closures Signal Broader Restrictions
Japan’s historic city has been trying to cope with overtourism. Limiting access to small streets has been one solution. The closure of private streets in Kyoto’s famous Gion district represents a dramatic escalation in tourist restrictions. Recently, tourists have been banned from certain private streets in Kyoto’s famous historic Gion district, traditionally home to the teahouses where geisha (geiko) and maiko (apprentice geiko) performers work, largely due to antisocial behaviour. Unruly tourists have even been blamed for harassing geisha, with the Japan Times reporting that one had her kimono torn and another had a cigarette butt put in her collar. These closures show how quickly destinations can shift from welcoming tourists to actively blocking access. The escalation from gentle guidance to outright bans suggests that other historic districts facing similar problems might follow suit.
Barcelona’s Housing Crisis Forces Tourist Crackdown
Barcelona is implementing some of Europe’s most aggressive anti-tourism measures, driven by a housing affordability crisis. In 2024, protests erupted over issues like overcrowding at Park Güell, prompting plans to restrict rentals by 2028. Busy areas like La Rambla are often packed, spoiling the experience for visitors, and the city’s infrastructure is struggling under the pressure. The city has already banned new hotels in its center and restricted short-term rentals, but these measures might just be the beginning. In October, Barcelona closed its northern port terminal to cruise traffic following an agreement with local authorities to shift ships farther out of town, a move that will affect about 340 annual cruise dockings. Starting on April 1, 2024, tourists will have to pay a higher “city surcharge” of 3.25 euros, up from 2.75 euros in 2023. Local frustration is reaching a boiling point, with residents increasingly vocal about wanting tourists to “go home.”
Amsterdam’s Radical Anti-Tourism Campaign
Amsterdam has taken the unprecedented step of actively discouraging specific tourist demographics from visiting. The Dutch are traditionally known for their directness, and in 2023, tourism officials in Amsterdam weren’t shy about taking aim at one particular demographic — young British males — as “nuisance tourists” who are not welcome in the Dutch capital. The initiative, announced in March 2023, specifically targeted young male Brits, telling them to “stay away” if they had plans to “go wild” in Amsterdam. The city has imposed the highest tourist taxes in Europe. In September, the city announced the daily fee for cruise ship day visitors will go from 8 to 11 euros, while the nightly fee built into hotel room prices will jump to 12.5% of the room rate. Despite these measures, Amsterdam still expects massive visitor numbers, suggesting even more drastic restrictions could be coming.
North Korea’s Selective Border Reopening Strategy
North Korea presents a unique case of controlled tourism reopening after years of complete closure. Koryo Tours are excited to finally announce the opening of the North Korean borders. We have confirmed with our local partners that the borders will open in December 2024. However, this reopening is highly selective and limited. The visit of the six Russian tour groups that traveled to the country since February 2024 was a result of an inter-government agreement between the DPRK and the government of Primorsky Krai. Tourism to Rason Has Resumed while North Korea remains officially closed to general tourism, Koryo Tours was invited by the DPRK’s Athletic Association to bring amateur runners as part of the official marathon delegation. This approach of allowing only specific, pre-approved groups could become a model for destinations wanting to maintain strict control over visitor numbers and types.
European Border Controls Signal Tourist Restrictions
Several European countries have reimposed border controls within the Schengen Area, potentially impacting tourist flows. In 2025, border controls remain in place or have been strengthened in countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria and Slovakia. Since September 2024, Germany has reinstated border controls with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, France, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. These measures are expected to remain in place until at least 15 September 2025. While officially aimed at controlling migration and security threats, these controls could easily be expanded to limit tourist numbers if overtourism pressures increase. Since 9 December 2024, the Netherlands has tightened controls at its airports, ports and on rail routes due to an increase in the flow of migrants. These measures will remain in place until 8 June 2025, with the possibility of extension depending on the situation. The infrastructure for tourist restrictions is already in place.
Spain’s Tourism Growth Sparks Local Backlash
Spain is experiencing unprecedented tourism growth that’s triggering serious local resistance. In Spain, tourism was projected to grow by 5% in 2024 — that’s more than double the rate for the overall economy – with more than 90 million visits expected from overseas tourists. The country is seeing increasing anti-tourism protests, particularly in popular destinations. People drink beer outside a bar-restaurant while an anti-tourism demonstration passes by in Barcelona in July 2024. This grassroots resistance is putting pressure on local governments to implement restrictions. More than half (53%) reported plans to avoid overpopulated hotspots such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Peru. Only 16% of travelers still plan to visit Italy, followed by Spain (15%) and France (14%), despite overtourism concerns. The combination of local anger and declining tourist interest could force Spanish authorities to implement significant access restrictions.
France’s Fortress Mentality Against Overtourism
France is quietly building the infrastructure for tourist restrictions through enhanced border controls and security measures. France continues to carry out border checks due to increased terrorist threats and large mass events such as festivals and sporting events. The country is part of the growing trend of European nations reimposing border controls, ostensibly for security but with clear potential for tourism management. French authorities are becoming increasingly concerned about overtourism at iconic sites, and the existing border control framework could easily be adapted to limit tourist numbers. More than half (53%) reported plans to avoid overpopulated hotspots such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Peru. Only 16% of travelers still plan to visit Italy, followed by Spain (15%) and France (14%), despite overtourism concerns. This declining interest, combined with local pressures, suggests France might soon implement more aggressive tourist limitations.
Italy’s Infrastructure Crisis Demands Action
Italy is facing severe overtourism pressure that’s overwhelming its historic cities and infrastructure. Italy took additional measures at its borders with France, Austria and Slovenia at the end of 2024. This is due to increased security risks and growing migration pressure. These measures will remain in place throughout 2025. The country already has enhanced border controls in place that could be used for tourism management. Italian destinations are increasingly implementing visitor management strategies, from timed entry systems to capacity limits at popular sites. More than half (53%) reported plans to avoid overpopulated hotspots such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Peru. Only 16% of travelers still plan to visit Italy, followed by Spain (15%) and France (14%), despite overtourism concerns. The combination of infrastructure strain, border control capabilities, and growing tourist avoidance suggests Italy is positioned to implement significant access restrictions soon.
Did you expect these popular dream destinations to be actively pushing tourists away? The shift from welcoming visitors to limiting access represents one of the most dramatic changes in global tourism patterns, and it’s happening faster than anyone predicted.