15 Countries Around The World That Hate Tourist
Do you love traveling the world and seeing new and exciting places that offer an inviting atmosphere? Then, you might want to steer clear of these 15 destinations. While every place has its friendly locals, some countries don’t roll out the red carpet for tourists. This unfriendly behavior can put a serious damper on your trip. Skip the less-than-welcoming vibes of these places and head somewhere where tourists are a little bit more appreciated. Luckily, there are tons of places you can go where you will be welcomed as a tourist.
Spain (Barcelona)
Recently, locals living in this magnificent city, home to some of the best works of Salvador DalÃ, have taken part in protests to complain about the huge influx of tourists. Anti-tourist sentiment is fueled by visitors regularly crowding popular areas such as the Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter and disrupting local life. You may want to reconsider your trip here.
Thailand (Maya Bay)
We now head to Southeast Asia, and more specifically, Thailand. If you’ve never heard of the famous Maya Bay site, let us refresh your memory because you’ve probably seen it already. This stunning beach was featured in the popular movie The Beach. Since the film’s release, many tourists have explored this site daily, destroying its ecosystem. This has led the local government to close and reopen the site, limiting the number of tourists.
Japan (Kyoto)
Similarly to Barcelona, people in Kyoto seem to be fed up with the number of tourists crowding their streets. Locals have expressed frustration about the mass tourism characterizing this city. In recent years, tourists have also started to visit places that were once only visited by locals, causing extra frustration among the Japanese. Some people have now declared that they prefer to avoid serving those who do not speak Japanese.
USA (Wave Canyon)
While the USA generally welcomes tourists – not by chance, its people are known for being extremely friendly – a few sites have had to limit their number of visitors for environmental reasons. This is the case of Wave Canyon. Located in the Coyote Buttes Norther area on the Arizona-Utah border, access to this site is now extremely difficult to obtain to protect this fragile rock formation.
Italy (Venice)
We all dream of visiting Venice at least once, especially because it is one of the most endangered cities in terms of climate change. Yet this famous place is becoming less welcoming to tourists. Again, the problem is mass tourism. The local government has now implemented a fee for all tourists wanting to access this site while limiting their numbers.
Netherlands (Amsterdam)
Similarly to Italians, Dutch people are also struggling with mass tourism. In particular, the renowned city of Amsterdam is so crowded with visitors that locals started protests to push the government to take action. This is why there is now a limitation on the number of tourists allowed to stay overnight. The number was set to 20 million stays per year.
Philippines (Boracay)
The stunning island of Boracay in the Philippines was temporarily closed to tourists for six months in 2018. This decision was taken due to the negative impact visitors had on the delicate ecosystem of this island. While this place is now open to visitors again, the local government decided to be more careful. How? By strictly limiting the number of people allowed to access this site.
Austria (Hallstatt)
Here is another city you have probably never heard of but have already seen. Where? In Frozen! This small Alpine village is incredibly similar to the one in the movie called ‘Arendelle.’ Because of this, plenty of tourists started to head here and post pictures on social media, leading more people to visit this tiny village. As of today, the number of visitors allowed in is restricted, which will probably remain the case for decades.
Croatia (Dubrovnik)
Dubrovnik in Croatia became particularly popular recently because of its appearance in Game of Thrones. In particular, this city was used to record most of the scenes used for the fictional city of King’s Landing. The massive influx of tourists started visiting this site after the series’ release, completely disrupting local life. This is why local authorities decided to limit the number of cruise ships and visitors accessing Dubrovnik’s picturesque Old Town to prevent damage.
Greece (Santorini)
The island of Santorini in Greece is vastly renowned for its beautiful white houses with blue decor and crystal-blue sea. This is why so many couples choose it to celebrate their love every year. Yet, there are too many tourists on this little island in the Mediterranean Sea, which has led local authorities to limit the number of visitors allowed in to prevent overcrowding this site.
Bhutan
If you are thinking about visiting Bhutan soon, it may be time to reconsider whether this is within your budget. A few years ago, the local government implemented a daily fee that all tourists must pay to stay in the country. The fee is now set at $100 and may soon increase. Again, the problem is mass tourism. With more visitors wanting to explore this country, fees may soon get more expensive.
Peru (Machu Picchu)
We’ve all seen at least a picture of the famous site of Machu Picchu. This 15th-century Inca citadel is one of the most popular sites in Latin America, attracting plenty of tourists worldwide. Unfortunately, this has caused the local government to limit the number of people allowed in this ancient site while also implementing strict regulations. For instance, a guide must now accompany everyone when exploring this citadel.
Denmark
Denmark’s small size and peaceful atmosphere can sometimes feel disrupted by the influx of tourists, especially in popular spots like Copenhagen. Locals often find it frustrating when large crowds overwhelm public spaces, making daily life more challenging. Many people also see tourists as a threat to Denmark’s rich culture and traditions, which some feel can be diluted by excessive tourism. The country also isn’t very fond of America’s “we’re number one” mindset, which makes the locals dislike tourists from the US especially.
Somalia
While you may not want to visit Somalia due to safety concerns, you may also simply have a hard time navigating the country. First, you need to get a visa from the Embassy of the Somali Republic, which isn’t necessarily easy. Then, once you are in the country, there are no bank machines or ATMs, which makes it very challenging to get cash. The country does not make it easy on tourists, so you may just want to go somewhere else.
Cuba
Cuba has a complicated relationship with tourism due to its political history and restrictions on foreign influence. While it attracts some visitors, the government’s tight control over the tourism industry can make travelers feel unwelcome or limited in what they can experience. The strained relationship with the U.S. and economic struggles over the past few decades have also contributed to a lack of infrastructure and resources for mass tourism. Not only will the people be skeptical of you as a tourist, but you may also feel uncomfortable without modern luxuries.
