12 Countries That Don't Want Tourists (And They Have Their Reasons)

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In Japan, locals have resorted to giant screens to block tourists from overcrowding iconic spots with views of Mount Fuji, while in Spain, anti-tourism protests are escalating. What’s behind this growing backlash in countries that don’t want tourists?

Generally, tourism has a positive impact on a country. Many of the world’s most famous tourist destinations rely on tourism profits to prop up their economies and ensure the nation’s wealth. Without it, they wouldn’t be as successful as a country. However, as many countries have discovered, tourism isn’t always good.

Overtourism can lead to overcrowding, price increases, environmental damage, and more. Therefore, some of the world’s countries now don’t want tourists to visit. These 12 countries that don’t want tourists offer examples of how overtourism can negatively impact a country.

Netherlands

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Let’s kickstart our list with the Netherlands, a beautiful country famed for its lush flower meadow, rich history, and vibrant cities. The Netherlands is a fascinating addition to this list because it doesn’t want to stop every kind of tourist from visiting. Instead, it only wants the rowdiest tourists who visit Amsterdam to “stay away.”

When visiting Amsterdam, the capital, many travelers follow the motto, ‘What happens in the Dam, stays in the Dam,’ which refers to the city’s famous Red Light District. The Dutch government has launched a campaign to prevent rowdy tourists, primarily Brits, from causing trouble. This includes limiting the size of stag and hen parties, reducing the number of river cruises, and banning cannabis smoking on the streets.

Spain

Spain is arguably the biggest nation that wants to get rid of tourists. While it isn’t the entire nation that wants to eliminate the tourist trade, many people across certain cities and regions have had enough, including Barcelona, Benidorm, and Lanzarote. The reasons why Spain doesn’t want tourists vary.

For example, Barcelona wants to get rid of tourists because of overtourism in the city, which has led to increased rents for locals. Meanwhile, Benidorm and Lanzarote want to stop boozy Brits from causing havoc. Locals across Spain have protested against tourism, forcing the government into action. As a result, tourists in Benidorm face fines for drinking on the beach. In Barcelona, the government hopes to ban all holiday rentals by 2028.

Bali, Indonesia

With the promise of white sand beaches, turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and magnificent temples, it’s no surprise Bali, a small island in Indonesia, is one of Asia’s most highly sought-after destinations. Unfortunately, though, the island can’t keep up with the demand. Bali has suffered dramatically from overtourism and unruly tourist behavior in recent years.

As such, the Indonesian government is attempting to stop problematic tourists from visiting. Worse yet, the sheer number of disrespectful tourists has forced the government to prevent tourists from doing certain things. For example, a recent proposal has recommended banning all tourists from hiking in Bali’s mountains. The government also plans to deport tourists who bring trouble to Indonesia.

Italy

Scams Targeting Tourists in Europe The Fake Charity Collector — © Gennaro Leonardi / Adobe Stock

Like the other countries on our list, Italy doesn’t necessarily want to eliminate all tourism, but it wants to reduce the number of visitors massively. Popular tourist destinations like Venice, Rome, and Sardinia are struggling to keep up with the demand, and some are also bringing trouble to the country.

As a result, the Italian government has started implementing new policies and bans to control mass tourism. For example, according to the BBC, Italy has reduced the number of cruise ships allowed to visit Venice, banned tour buses on the Amalfi Coast seafront, and introduced fines for tourists who sit on the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Bhutan

Bhutan, also known as the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a Buddhist kingdom in the Himalayas famed for its breathtaking fortresses, monasteries, and dramatic mountain landscapes. While exploring the country’s exquisite architecture and pristine landscapes sounds exciting, until recently, it was tough, as the nation made it almost impossible for most tourists to visit.

In what can only be seen as an extreme way to control tourism, the Bhutanese government implemented a ridiculously high tourist tax in 2022 following the COVID-19 pandemic. This tax saw tourists charged a whopping $200 to $250 for every day they spent in the country. We don’t know what you think, but that sounds like a country that doesn’t want tourists. Even now, the tax still sits at $100 daily.

Greece

The next destination on our list is Greece. While Greece generally loves tourists and welcomes them with open arms, the government is trying to reduce the number of people who visit some of its islands, especially Santorini and Mykonos. These islands are renowned for their luxury accommodation, Greek charm, and natural beauty.

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However, in recent years, the sheer number of tourists has led to overcrowding and over-tourism. According to The Guardian, this has left many locals struggling to cope with the increased accommodation and utility prices. As such, many locals are at breaking point. To fight back, the Greek government plans to introduce a €20 ($22) fee for tourists arriving by cruise ship to Santorini and Mykonos. A limit on cruise ship visitors will also be introduced.

Peru

Peru is an interesting addition to our list because neither the government nor the locals necessarily hate tourism. Instead, most of the issues surrounding tourism in Peru revolve around how the tourism industry is controlled. In particular, thousands of locals are furious about where the money from tourism goes.

NBC News reports that Peruvians weren’t happy with the government’s decision to outsource the sale of tickets for the Machu Picchu site to Joinnus, a virtual ticket sales company owned by one of Peru’s wealthiest economic groups. As a result, thousands of Peruvians have protested against the government, blocking tourists from visiting the ancient citadel. Locals have also blocked tourist trains to reduce tourism to the site.

Thailand

Once again, Thailand doesn’t necessarily dislike tourism. The country relies heavily on it. However, that doesn’t mean all forms of tourism in the country are good. Therefore, the Thai government has started to crack down on specific things that negatively impact the country, such as overtourism, environmental damage, and unruly travelers.

The situation at Maya Bay is a fine example of how tourism can negatively impact a location. This picturesque bay in the Phi Phi islands was made famous by the film The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. As a result, the number of visitors to the bay skyrocketed, causing significant damage to the bay’s ecosystem. To protect the bay, it’s regularly closed.

Japan

Japan is one of the world’s most spectacular countries, drawing millions of tourists yearly with the promise of vibrant cities, historical landmarks, and rich cultural heritage. However, the large number of visitors has put the country under immense pressure, and the small nation is struggling to keep up.

Anti-social behavior and over-tourism across Japan have seen tourists banned from visiting certain places. For example, unruly tourists are now not welcome in certain parts of Kyoto’s famous historic Gion district. Meanwhile, according to Euro News, locals in some towns, such as Kawaguchiko, have put up giant screens to prevent hordes of tourists from crowding the streets at famous viewpoints.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is the most beautiful country on our list. This island archipelago in the South Pacific is famed for its tropical islands, hot climate, and luxurious overwater villas. Unsurprisingly, the islands have been a playground for honeymooning couples, the rich, and the famous for many years. However, things are getting much more complicated for tourists.

In recent years, French Polynesia has decided to fight back against the large number of tourists who visit the islands to prevent overcrowding. To do so, the government announced a new tourism cap in 2022. Under the Fāri’ira’a Manihini 2027 five-year plan, the government aims to set an annual cap of one foreign tourist per local resident. You couldn’t afford to go anyway if you’re anything like me!

Croatia

Croatia is the penultimate country on our list. It is a vibrant Balkan country loved for its traditional architecture, lush scenery, and stunning coastlines. Millions of tourists visit Croatia yearly to enjoy the warmer weather and explore iconic historic landmarks. However, the vast number of tourists has put Croatia under pressure.

Many places, such as Dubrovnik, have struggled to cope with over-tourism. This has led to the government imposing new regulations to reduce numbers. For example, the number of souvenir stands and daily cruise ship passengers in Dubrovnik has been capped. While this has helped control tourism in the country, it hasn’t prevented rumors and murmurings of potential anti-tourism protests.

North Korea

The final country on our list is North Korea, a controversial travel destination with an even more controversial leader. While many travelers would never dream of visiting North Korea, others see it as a challenge they can’t wait to conquer. The North Korean government has never directly said it doesn’t want tourists, but its actions tell us they probably don’t.

For many years, North Korea has been a challenging country to visit. In fact, until 2024, tourists were banned entirely from entering the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, even though the country is open again, the Guardian reports that the leader is only keen to welcome visitors from “friendly” nations like Russia and China. Individual travelers are also not permitted entry, and minders accompany groups.