As the global tourism industry bounces back post-pandemic, the phenomenon of over-tourism is impacting many destinations around the world, including Spain, Greece, and several countries outside Europe, with locals often voicing their frustration.
Last year, Edinburgh Castle claimed the title of the world’s most visited landmark.
A survey by MoneyTransfers.com, published in Express, identified the world’s most “over-touristed” cities. Topping the list is Phuket, Thailand, with an astounding 118.5 tourists per resident.
Phuket is one of Thailand’s top getaway spots, famous for some of the world’s best beaches, like Kata and Karon.
Among the most bustling tourist areas globally are two Greek islands: Rhodes, with a ratio of 20.3 tourists per resident, and Heraklion, with 22 tourists per resident.
The World’s 10 Busiest Tourist Destinations
- Phuket, Thailand
- Pattaya, Thailand
- Krabi, Thailand
- Mugla, Turkey
- Hurghada, Egypt
- Macau, China
- Heraklion, Greece
- Venice, Italy
- Rhodes, Greece
- Miami, United States
MoneyTransfers.com also highlighted cities that are among the least “over-touristed”.
These include:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (ranked first as the least “over-touristed” destination)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (second)
- Beijing, China (third)
- Kolkata, India (fourth)
- Lima, Peru (fifth)
- Shanghai, China (sixth)
- Cairo, Egypt (seventh)
- Tokyo, Japan (eighth)
- Jakarta, Indonesia (ninth)
- Delhi, India (tenth)