Worldwide Tourism

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? Too much tourism

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Popular destinations around the world are contending with a surge in tourism that's getting too big to bear — driving up prices, polluting cities, damaging historical sites and angering locals. Why it matters: The tourism tsunami shows no signs of slowing down, and some of the planet's most beautiful and iconic places are in its path, Axios' Erica Pandey writes. By the numbers: Some 80% of travelers visit just 10% of the world's destinations, National Geographic notes. And while tourism dipped during the pandemic's peak, the UN's tourism arm projects that the number of global tourists will hit 1.8 billion by 2030 — up from 1.5 billion in 2019. The big picture: The collision of global technology and demographic trends has given rise to overtourism. Flights are more accessible. Yes, airfare is higher than it was pre-pandemic, but overall, ticket prices are nearly half as expensive as they were in the 80s when adjusted for inflation. There's an emerging global middle class. A key driver of the modern surge in tourism has been the rise of China's huge middle class. There's more information. It's easier than ever for people to learn about landmarks and attractions in other countries — and subsequently dream of visiting them. Case in point: Spain saw a record-breaking 85 million visitors in 2023, and one of the most affected cities is Barcelona, CNBC reports. The number of hotels in the city quadrupled from 1990 to 2023. Tensions in Barcelona are escalating, with protesters spraying tourists with water guns. What we're watching: The mounting frustration is pushing some cities and countries to come up with solutions to curb tourism — or at least make more money from it. Barcelona has increased its tourist tax, and the city's mayor announced a plan to ban all Airbnb-style short-term rentals by 2028. That move will return 10,000 apartments to the local residents' market. Bhutan has limited tourism — and attracted travelers who spend more — with steep daily fees for visitors.