English Corner

The picturesque coastal villages of Cinque Terre are groaning under the pressure of thousands of people squeezing through narrow lanes and steep footpaths. Image: Adobe Stock

These eight attractions are best avoided by tourists

Crowds of tourists are bombarding the world's most beautiful places – and wreaking havoc in the process. More and more World Heritage Sites are groaning under the enormous pressure. A recent survey shows which dream destinations are particularly at risk.

When it comes to dream destinations, it’s not just countries but iconic landmarks that often top the wish list. For many people, visiting attractions such as Machu Picchu in Peru, the Taj Mahal in India or the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they are determined to have.

But this desire to have the ultimate holiday experience has led to a serious global problem: mass tourism. Many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are under massive pressure – and this endangers not only their future, but also the special charm that makes these places so unique.

The online travel agent Tourlane selected 50 UNESCO World Heritage Sites from 1,223 sites worldwide and examined them on the basis of three criteria: popularity, endangerment and the impact of mass tourism.

Popularity was determined using TripAdvisor ratings. UNESCO's assessments were used to determine the risk. Although all the selected sites are currently considered safe, Tourlane analysed the extent to which mass tourism is already having a negative impact. The assessment was based on the company's own experiences as well as assessments by local partners, independent media and conservation organisations.

This is where mass tourism becomes a threat

The Taj Mahal is already showing visible damage to its facade – a natural consequence, given that around 7.5 million people visit the iconic monument each year. The Pyramids of Giza are subject to even greater strain, with as many as 15 million visitors a year.

A European example is Italy’s Cinque Terre. The picturesque coastal villages, perched along steep cliffs, are inundated with thousands of tourists each year, straining local agriculture and the daily lives of residents.

Anyone who thinks that the problem only affects a few particularly popular places is mistaken. Even in the most remote parts of the world, more and more attractions are threatened by overtourism. One example is Machu Picchu, the impressive Inca city in the Peruvian Andes.

Around a million visitors flock to the ruins each year, placing pressure not only on the archaeological site but also on the surrounding natural environment. In order to protect the site, visitor numbers have now been limited. But even with this measure in place, the situation remains tense.

Around a million people flock to the ruins of the Inca site of Machu Picchu every year. Image: Adobe Stock


Other World Heritage Sites such as the Grand Canyon National Park in the United States, the Palace and Park of Versailles in France, the Great Wall of China and Vatican City are also struggling with excessive crowds. The consequences can be severe, including abrasion and damage to façades, destruction of fragile ecosystems, and alterations to the local ecosystem. UNESCO has classified these sites as ‘critically burdened’ and is calling for measures to reduce the pressure.

Tourlane's study also lists 25 alternatives and the particularly overcrowded and endangered World Heritage Sites. Travellers can visit these attractions without feeling guilty:

  • Tikal National Park in Guatemala.
  • Chaîne des Puys in France.
  • Iguazú National Park in Argentina and Brazil.
  • Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
  • Wadden Sea in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.
  • Skocjan Caves in Slovenia.
  • Chartres Cathedral in France.
  • L'Anse aux Meadows in Canada.
  • Durmitor National Park in Montenegro.
  • Burgundy wine region in France.
  • Hattuşa: capital of the Hittites in Turkey.
  • Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Japan.
  • Old city of Sigiriya in Sri Lanka.
  • Temple complex of Borobudur in Indonesia.
  • Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in Germany.
  • Old city of Trogir in Croatia.
  • Schwerin Residence in Germany.
  • Himeji Castle in Japan.
  • Cape Coast Castle in Ghana.
  • Taos Pueblo in the USA.
  • Budapest with the banks of the Danube, the castle district of Buda and Andrássy Avenue in Hungary.
  • Old town of Avignon in France.
  • Coto de Doñana National Park in Spain.
  • Le Morne Brabant in Mauritius.
  • Fossil hominid sites in South Africa.

(RSU)