Looking for a summer vacation destination? To plan your trip, it's important to know where not to go. Learn more about places where excessive tourism, restrictions, and other factors can ruin your vacation

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Recently, tourism has become too popular to the point that local communities no longer want to see crowds of tourists, even if it leads to a loss of income.

In particular, Travel Off Path has identified seven popular tourist destinations that do not plan to receive tourists in the summer of 2024. 

We tell you where you should not go on vacation and whether there are alternatives for traveling.

Top destinations that do not want to receive tourists this summer

• Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Over the past few years, the city has been making efforts to discourage mass tourism. Recent measures include a ban on cruise ships entering the city center and restrictions on the construction of new hotels in central areas. It also introduced the highest tourist tax in Europe.

In addition, the city is actively campaigning on social media, emphasizing that it is not hospitable to noisy tourists.

Instead of Amsterdam, it is recommended to pay attention to Leiden in the province of South Holland. It also has a large number of canals, bridges and interesting museums.

• Canary Islands, Spain. Recently, locals have been actively resisting excessive tourism. This has already brought results - the authorities have decided to limit short-term rental housing.

As an alternative, you can choose Cape Verde, a small state on the Cape Verde Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 600 kilometers from the coast of Africa. This former Portuguese colony offers white beaches, volcanic landscapes, and warm weather all year round.

• Lake Como, Italy. Recently, local authorities in Como have expressed a desire to introduce an entrance fee for tourists, similar to Venice. Many regular visitors complain about the loss of the charm of this place due to overcrowding.

Instead, you can visit Lake Lago Maggiore on the border of Italy and Switzerland. This picturesque lake is surrounded by mountains, and its Borromeo Islands are home to palaces and magnificent Italian-style gardens.

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• Athens, Greece. Last year, the Greek capital was recognized as one of the cities most affected by excessive tourism. For this reason, since September, the authorities have imposed restrictions on visits to the Acropolis, and since this year, a new “climate” tax for tourists and stricter beach rules.

If Greece is still attractive, but Athens no longer looks as charming as it used to, you can pay attention to the islands of Folegandros or Milos. Here you can enjoy all the Greek beauty, but with fewer tourists.

• Barcelona, Spain. Six months ago, this mega-popular city banned cruise ships from the city center, and in April 2024, it raised the tourist tax again.

Although excessive tourism in the summer months is a common problem for the whole of Spain, the country still has less crowded and more relaxed destinations. For example, the city of Valencia, where you can combine a beach vacation with cultural experiences. 

• Bhutan. During the pandemic, the people of this country learned what life looks like without tourists, and now they don't want to return to the previous state. The country's sustainable development fee was introduced for travelers upon entry, and the price of travel doubled after the borders were reopened to $200 per day.

As an alternative, you can pay attention to Nepal, a country of stunning beauty where tourists are welcomed with open arms.

• Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese capital has seen a large influx of tourists after the reopening of borders after COVID, and this year it has broken all records. Local authorities have expanded transportation networks and imposed restrictions on the number of visitors to some attractions to control overcrowding. However, the number of people in the city may remain high.

If you want to avoid crowds, you can choose lesser-known cities in Japan. For example, Fukuoka is the eighth largest city in the country.

Before planning your trip, we recommend taking out a travel insurance policy. This will not only protect you from unforeseen medical expenses, but also give you peace of mind during your trip. This approach not only saves you money, but also significantly reduces stress while travelling, making your holiday more enjoyable and safer.

Moreover, taking out insurance is a simple and affordable way to protect yourself and your finances. So don't forget to include a policy in your list of priorities when planning your trip. By the way, you can find insurance with suitable conditions and at favourable prices here.

We remind you! We wrote earlier that if you don't know where to go for the May holidays, we have a selection of exciting destinations for you! Find out where to go for May holidays 2024 in Ukraine here.

Photo: comfort.travel

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