Fodor's warns against travel to overtouristed destinations in 2025
- Fodor's travel guide reported on destinations facing issues from overtourism, including Bali and Barcelona.
- Bali, with over 5 million visitors in 2023, suffers from substantial plastic waste affecting its environment.
- The publication calls for awareness of these challenges to promote sustainable tourism while acknowledging the charm of these locations.
In 2025, Fodor's travel guide published a report highlighting the growing issues related to overtourism in several popular holiday destinations, which include Bali, Barcelona, and Tokyo. Bali tops the list, suffering from severe environmental degradation, especially evident in its beaches covered in plastic waste. The island attracted 5.3 million international visitors in 2023, leading to concerns over its cultural identity and sustainability. Likewise, tourist hotspots like Barcelona and the Canary Islands have become sites of local discontent, as residents protest against the overwhelming number of visitors. For the second consecutive year, Koh Samui is cautioned against due to increasing tourist traffic anticipated after the release of a popular television series, which is expected to exacerbate existing issues related to waste management and water supplies. Cities like Kyoto and Tokyo are also categorized as beginning to suffer from similar phenomena, putting their traditional cultures and environments at risk. As part of their guidance, Fodor's emphasizes that while these destinations deserve recognition, they face urgent challenges that travelers should be aware of to help promote sustainable tourism practices. The travel guide publisher’s initiative aims not only to warn potential visitors but also to spark conversations about tourism's impact on local communities and environments across the globe.