Travel is not what it used to be.

Popular destinations are being overwhelmed by ever-increasing numbers of visitors, more than residents and infrastructures can handle. Beaches and museums are overcrowded, coral reefs are being trashed by careless divers— and cultural heritages from small neighborhoods to even lesser-known historical sites—are being threatened.  Moreover, the influx of tourists has put pressure on airlines and airports, whose customers are forced to endure long lines, delayed or cancelled flights, excessive fees and lost or delayed luggage. All this can turn what should be an easy, pleasurable journey into a do-or-die obstacle course.

According to the World Tourism Organization’s website, an estimated 1.4 billion tourists travelled internationally in 2024. This represents an 11% increase over 2023 levels and a full recovery from pre-pandemic levels. The strongest results are in Europe, as one might expect, but also in Africa and the Middle East. Growth is expected to continue in 2025.

Amidst the latest surge, popular destinations like Edinburgh, Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Venice, Florence, Copenhagen, Bruges, Mexico City, New York City and Ubud (Bali) have had limited success in efforts to control their numbers.

Anti-tourism protests and street marches  are rapidly growing in Mexico City and across Europe. A major concern is “gentrification’ of neighborhoods. Large numbers of people are angry specifically about the effects of tourism on significant increases in their cost of living due to the influx of foreigners. See the recent article in Afar magazine.

Ways to reduce the number of visitors include banning travel outright, imposing tourist taxes, restricting the number of cruise ships in ports (or banning them entirely), and so forth. Meanwhile, the desire to prioritize economic growth over sustainability makes for a constant tug of war.

There are, however, signs of success. Venice has banned cruise ships (except for small boutique vessels and river boats) from docking in central Venice and has limited the size of tour groups in the city. Day trippers need to book in advance and pay an entrance fee to enter the city. Similarly,  Machu Picchu has established a daily tourist cap and strictly timed tourist arrivals. And to limit low-income, high-volume visitors (such as backpackers), the country of Bhutan has always charged visitor fees higher than its neighbors, like Nepal.

But the truth is hard to overlook: Once overtourism arrives, it is difficult to turn back the clock.

What are some of the main causes of overtourism? The growth of a more prosperous middle class, more affordable tour packages, more affordable short-term rentals like Airbnbs, a proliferation of travel channels (and influencers) on social media, and the growth of “digital nomads”— people who work on-line while traveling for extended periods.

What can you do to minimize your travel footprint?

• When visiting a major city, such as Edinburgh or Paris, consider spending part of your time at nearby locations like Scotland’s  Glasgow or France’s Dordogne Valley, which may offer great experiences with fewer tourists.

• Travel in shoulder seasons or even in the off-seasons— and learn the local culture and traditions.

• Visit attractions, wherever you are, at less crowded times of day or days of the week.

• Offset your carbon emissions. Check out this Columbia University web site, which lists organizations  that help you reduce your carbon footprint by donating projects that reduce greenhouse gases.

• Get around by train when possible. It’s more eco-friendly than flying. Once you’re arrived, hike or bike, instead of taking a car.

• Stay in eco-lodges and hotels, not vacation rentals, committed to sustainable practices.

• Dine in restaurants that emphasize local ingredients

• Use travel operators firmly committed to protecting precious environments and embracing sustainable tourism. Wild Frontiers Travel, for example, limits the sizes of its international travel groups, focuses on less well-known destinations and prioritizes financial support for local businesses and individuals. Hurtigruten, a top Norwegian cruise line, is aggressively reducing ocean waste and developing zero-emission ships.