New Travel Rules in 20 Popular Countries You Should Know Before You Go!

Following a surge in post-pandemic travel, many destinations worldwide are grappling with the challenges of overtourism. To protect their communities and environments, governments and local authorities are implementing various travel restrictions, from visitor caps and entry fees to bans on short-term rentals and cruise ships.

This article explores some of the key destinations taking action and the specific measures they are implementing.

1. Italy: Entry Taxes and Fines

• Venice: Entry fee for day trippers, cruise ship ban in the centre, and restrictions on overcrowded tour groups to reduce congestion.
• Rome: Fines for topless behaviour, messy eating, and leaving love locks to preserve cultural landmarks and maintain city cleanliness.
• Portofino: Fines imposed for lingering at popular photo spots to ensure smooth tourist flow in the picturesque coastal town.
• Capri: Proposed buoy barriers to prevent boats from sailing too close to the shoreline, protecting marine life and coastal beauty.
• Florence: Ban on Airbnb and short-term rentals in the historic centre, with restrictions on unlicensed tour guides for cultural preservation.
• Sardinia: Caps on visitor numbers and fines for entering protected beaches to safeguard the island’s unique ecosystems.
• Trentino Alto Adige: Limits on overnight stays in natural areas to reduce environmental pressure and promote sustainable tourism.

2. Greece: Visitor and Cruise Limits

• Athens: Caps on daily visitors to the Acropolis to manage crowds and protect the historic monument from overuse
• Santorini & Mykonos: Reduced cruise ship arrivals and potential building ban in Santorini’s caldera to address overtourism.
• Greece (Islands): Upcoming levy on cruise ship visitors to curb overcrowding and promote sustainable travel practices.

3. Austria: Tourist Caps in Hallstatt

Hallstatt limits buses and cars, reducing visitors by one-third. Wooden fences are installed to prevent overcrowded selfie spots and protect the town’s scenic views.

4. Ecuador: Galapagos Entry Fees

Tourists must pay $200 for entry, stay on marked trails, and travel with authorized guides. Private yachts are banned in protected areas to safeguard marine life.

5. Philippines: Boracay’s Environmental Cleanup

• Boracay: Temporarily closed for environmental rehabilitation in 2018, with reopening featuring strict guidelines for sustainable tourism.
• Maya Beach: Reopened under new restrictions, including a swimming ban, to restore coral reefs and protect marine biodiversity.

6. Thailand: Maya Bay Restrictions

Swimming is banned at Maya Bay to protect coral reefs. Visitor numbers are capped, and motorboats are restricted from entering the bay to preserve its ecosystem.

7. Malaysia: Penang’s Airbnb Regulations

Penang prohibits short-term rentals in residential areas unless approved by residents. This regulation aims to address disruptive behaviour and balance tourism with community well-being.

8. Indonesia: Bali’s Tourist Tax

Bali introduced a $10 tourist tax to promote sustainable tourism. Visitors are given a guidebook on cultural etiquette, while bad behaviour can result in fines or deportation.

9. Japan: Okinawa’s Visitor Limitations

• Okinawa: Caps on visitors to safeguard natural habitats and protect the endangered Iriomote cat species.
• Ginzan Onsen: Restrictions on day-tripper numbers during peak hours to preserve the serene environment of this picturesque hot spring town.
• Kyoto: Increased accommodation tax to manage tourism impacts and fund infrastructure development.

10. Spain: Regulations in Mallorca and Barcelona

• Barcelona: Higher tourist tax, cruise ship restrictions, and crack down on unlicensed short-term rentals to manage over-tourism.
• Seville: Plans to charge entry fees for Plaza de España to fund conservation efforts.
• Mallorca: Anti-tourism protests highlight housing crises and over-tourism concerns; authorities plan new policies.
• Menorca: New restrictions on tourist access to preserve certain natural areas.
• Ibiza: Limits imposed on the number of cruise ships arriving simultaneously to control overcrowding.

11. France: Mont Blanc Visitor Quotas

• Mont Blanc: Enforces daily quotas for hikers to protect its fragile environment. Climbers are also required to pre-book overnight accommodations at designated shelters.
• Marseille: Ban on key safes outside holiday lets to address rising concerns about short-term rentals disrupting local communities.

12. Bhutan: High Tourist Fees

Bhutan charges a $65 daily Sustainable Development Fee for foreign visitors, earlier the SDF was set to $200 but refused for longer stays. This aims to control tourist numbers while preserving the country’s rich culture and environment.

13. French Polynesia: Annual Tourist Caps

French Polynesia: Annual cap on tourist numbers proposed to protect delicate ecosystems and maintain cultural heritage.

14. Peru: Strict Entry Rules and Time Slots

Machu Picchu: Implementation of ticketing systems, time slots, and mandatory tour guides to manage crowds and preserve the ancient site.

15. United Kingdom: Tourist Taxes and Holiday Home Restrictions

• Cornwall: Proposal for mandatory registration of holiday lets to reduce impacts on local housing and preserve community life.
• Wales: Suggested visitor levy to generate funds for tourism infrastructure and community development.
• Edinburgh: Tourist tax on accommodation introduced to manage tourism impacts and fund local services.
• Yorkshire Dales: Proposal to ban second and holiday homes to combat housing shortages and preserve local communities.

16. Croatia: Tourist Behavior Rules and Entry Fees

Dubrovnik: “Respect the City” campaign includes entry fees and restrictions on tourist behaviour to address over-tourism.

17. Hawaii: Environmental Tourist Fee

O’ahu: Proposed tourist fee to support environmental initiatives and protect the island’s natural beauty.

18. South Korea: Curfew in Some Ares

Seoul: Impending curfew policy for Bukchon Hanok Village to balance local life and tourist influx in this traditional area.

19. Portugal: Push Against Overtourism

Sintra: Residents demand measures to address overtourism and traffic congestion caused by excessive tourist numbers.

20. Czechia: Crackdown on Stag Parties and Pub Crawls

Prague: Proposals to ban pub crawls and “silly” stag costumes aim to maintain city decorum and respect cultural values.

Final Words

The growing concern over over-tourism leads destinations worldwide to implement innovative and sometimes controversial measures to protect their communities and environments.

While these restrictions may impact the travel experience for some, they are crucial for ensuring the long-term sustainability of tourism and preserving the unique character of these destinations for both residents and visitors.

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