Popular tourist destinations across Europe and Asia are pushing back against the overwhelming tide of visitors. In a significant global shift, cities in Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands are implementing strict new measures to tackle overtourism. These steps, including higher taxes, visitor limits, and rental regulations, aim to address soaring living costs and preserve the quality of life for residents.
European Capitals Take a Stand
Italy has introduced some of the most aggressive policies for 2025. Venice has not only increased its day-tripper entry fee but also expanded the number of days it is enforced. Other Italian destinations are planning similar tax hikes. In a move against unregulated holiday rentals, cities like Florence have ordered the removal of self-check-in key boxes from short-term rentals. Major attractions are also feeling the strain; both the Colosseum and Pompeii have begun capping daily visitor numbers, while Rome has tightened crowd control around the Trevi Fountain. These actions follow sustained protests from locals over housing affordability and concerns from the hotel industry.
The sentiment is echoed across the Mediterranean. In June, coordinated anti-overtourism protests swept through Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Citizens argue that endless tourist streams are making cities unliveable, driving up rents and crowding out local businesses. Demonstrations were organised in Barcelona, Granada, Palma, Ibiza, and Lisbon. The scale of the problem is stark: Barcelona welcomed 26 million tourists in 2024, dwarfing its resident population of 1.6 million. A city survey that year found that nearly one-third of locals believe tourism is damaging their home.
France and the Netherlands Join the Fight
France is grappling with similar issues. In Paris, residents of the iconic Montmartre district lament the "Disney-fication" of their neighbourhood, where souvenir shops and tourist crowds have disrupted daily life. In response, Parisian authorities have tightened housing rules. Meanwhile, the glamorous city of Cannes has voted to restrict cruise tourism starting from 2026. The new rules will only permit ships carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers to dock, with a daily disembarkation cap of 6,000 people, measures officials say are vital for environmental protection and residents' wellbeing.
In the Netherlands, frustration has turned to legal action. A citizen group in Amsterdam, "Amsterdam Heeft een Keuze," has raised €50,000 to sue the city for allegedly breaching a law that caps annual overnight stays at 20 million. The group stresses they are not against tourists but demand that mass tourism be controlled and local needs prioritised. Amsterdam has already taken steps like banning new hotel constructions, restricting river cruises, and raising its tourist tax to 12.5%, one of the highest in Europe.
Asia Pacific Responds to the Tourist Tide
The overtourism challenge is not confined to Europe. South Korea's holiday island of Jeju has launched new initiatives to manage visitor impact and promote respectful behaviour. This includes publishing a multi-language tourist guide following several viral incidents of misconduct by visitors. According to the Jeju Tourism Association, the island received over 7 million visitors in 2025. While domestic arrivals saw a slight dip, international tourism surged by 14.2%, with a particularly sharp 40% year-on-year increase recorded in July.
This global crackdown signals a new era for travel. As noted by travel expert Sandeep Singh, today's travellers are increasingly conscious of tourism's footprint on communities and the environment. The relentless growth of overtourism is now motivating many to seek out less-visited destinations and travel during off-peak seasons, fostering a more sustainable and considerate approach to exploring the world.
