Tourism can provide an incredible economic boost, sure, but some locales say it can also be harmful to the environment and negatively impact local populations. With such considerations in mind, several destinations around the world have proposed — or put into place — measures restricting the annual number of visitors.
1. Santorini
Santorini, the famed blue-and-white darling of the Cyclades, isn’t shunning tourists altogether, but it is making some significant changes in the coming months: Hoping to stem the tide of cruise tourists, which reached 10,000 per day during peak season (May-September) last year, the island will in 2017 begin limiting the number of cruise ship visitors to 8,000 a day. (Fliers, take note: At present, there aren’t any plans to limit the number of people who come to Santorini by air, since the number is significantly smaller.) Not entirely interested in Santorini? Here’s where Greek locals think you should go instead.
2. Norway
Norway is now faced with the prospect of weighing whether or not too many tourists is a good problem to have — especially at its natural sites. According to The Local, Norsk Friluftsliv, Norway’s leading hiking and outdoors group, has called for a limit on tourists trekking to popular spots and vantage points including Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Trolltunga (Troll Tongue). Norwegian People’s Aid has already performed 34 rescue emergencies at Pulpit Rock (pictured) this year, and due to the number of accidents and injuries, the Norwegian Tourist Association in August has called for new laws preventing climbing to the location altogether.
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