Global Landmarks Face Destruction From Overtourism

World-renowned natural wonders and historical sites are suffering significant damage due to the growing impact of overtourism. From the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to ancient monuments like Machu Picchu in Peru, the sheer volume of visitors is taking a toll, prompting closures and intensive restoration efforts.

Responsible Travel has identified 98 destinations across 63 countries affected by excessive tourism, highlighting that the problem extends beyond well-publicized hotspots. The consequences range from environmental degradation to the physical erosion of historic structures.

Environmental Impact

The Great Barrier Reef, Australia, faces destruction from careless divers who brush against coral, swimmers' fins that break delicate structures, and boat anchors damaging living colonies. Visitors walking on shallow flats also crush habitats. While climate change and coral bleaching are significant threats, overtourism exacerbates the damage. Over the past decade, an estimated 30% to 50% of the world's coral reefs have been destroyed.

Maya Bay in Thailand, famous for the movie "The Beach," was temporarily closed from 2018 to 2022 due to the devastation of its coral reefs by sediment churned up by speedboats. During its closure, coral was replanted, and visitor facilities were improved.

Komodo National Park in Indonesia is also experiencing issues with trail erosion impacting soil, and pollution from rubbish threatening nearby coral reefs.

Damage to Historic Sites

Ancient sites are not immune to the effects of mass tourism. At the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, over 20 kilograms of coins, equivalent to about 10,000 pieces, have been removed from between the basalt columns. Visitors wedge the coins into the rocks for luck, but the metal corrodes, expands, and puts pressure on the stone. A 200-hour clean-up operation was undertaken to address the physical and chemical impact on the World Heritage landmark.

Lascaux Cave in France, home to prehistoric paintings, was closed to the public in 1963 after just 15 years of being open. High visitor numbers of 1,500 per day led to increased heat, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels, disrupting the cave's ecosystem and contributing to mold and fungus growth that endangered the artwork. A replica, Lascaux IV, now offers guided visits.

Venice, Italy, experiences physical damage from the waves created by water buses, gondolas, and motorboats, which erode buildings. Heavy foot traffic wears down streets and stresses the city's numerous bridges. Local residents have voiced opposition to overtourism, with protests occurring against new hotel openings and events.

Machu Picchu in Peru, listed on the Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2008, has a daily visitor limit of 2,500. Despite this, there is significant wear and tear on the trails. In 2020, CCTV was introduced after a group of tourists were accused of defecating in a sacred temple.

At Angkor Wat in Cambodia, heavy foot traffic has worn down steps and ancient sandstone carvings. A recent TikTok trend that involved tourists running through the temple, mimicking a video game, sparked conservation concerns, with experts warning that such behavior could damage fragile carvings.

The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt have suffered erosion on tourist paths, alongside vandalism, theft, and attempts to climb the structures, which cause structural damage. Climbing the pyramids is illegal, and one German tourist was banned from Egypt for life after scaling the iconic monument.

Emerging Concerns

Petra in Jordan is facing its own challenges, with reports indicating that the Khazneh, a tomb at the site, has been reduced by 40mm over a decade due to tourists touching it, and stone masonry markings have worn away.