Nine countries will implement new visitor management policies, including tourist caps and fees, beginning in 2026 to address overtourism and protect heritage sites, communities, and ecosystems. This coordinated global shift reflects a move away from unlimited visitor growth toward sustainable tourism governance.
Japan Advances Regional Tourism Management Amid Visitor Surge
Japan welcomed a record 42.68 million international visitors in 2025, a 15.8% increase over 2024, with a target of 60 million visitors by 2030. To alleviate pressure on crowded cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, the Japan Tourism Agency is promoting less-visited prefectures like Tottori, Kochi, and Akita to disperse tourist flows. Kyoto has implemented local access
levies and restricts visitor movement through certain historic machiya alleyways. Paid photography zones have been piloted to reduce congestion in traditional neighborhoods, balancing increased visitor numbers with preservation of community life and cultural assets.
Spain and Barcelona Tackle Housing Crisis with Rental Limitations
Spain’s cities, led by Barcelona, plan to eliminate all tourist apartment licenses by 2028. This response targets rising housing costs and infrastructure strain linked to short-term rentals favored by tourists. Similar concerns affect Mallorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands. Barcelona’s policy prioritizes resident housing affordability over tourism-related rental revenue, representing one of Europe’s most substantial urban tourism restrictions.
Cruise Tourism Controls in Santorini by Greek Authorities
The Greek Ministry of Tourism has introduced new
measures to manage cruise visitor arrivals in Santorini. Coordination mechanisms and caps on simultaneous passenger disembarkations aim to mitigate congestion caused by multiple large cruise ships arriving together. These controls seek to protect the Cyclades’ natural environment and maintain the local economy’s small-scale character.
Venice Instituting Day Visitor Entry Fees for Crowd Control
Venice has implemented an entry fee system targeting selected high-traffic days to regulate day visitors. The Comune di Venezia considers this fee its strongest instrument to safeguard the city’s historic infrastructure and fragile canal ecosystem by discouraging spontaneous arrivals during peak periods.
Bali Launches Tourist Levy to Fund Preservation Efforts
Since February 2024, Bali has applied a tourist levy on all international visitors. Administered
by the Bali Tourism Board, funds raised support cultural preservation and environmental protection initiatives. Carrying capacity guidelines are also in development for Bali’s sensitive beaches and temples, aiming to progress toward volume limitations at vulnerable sites.
Peru Implements Detailed Visitor Controls at Machu Picchu
The Peruvian Ministry of Culture regulates Machu Picchu with strict daily capacity limits, mandatory ticket reservations, timed entry windows, designated visitor circuits, and scheduled departures. These operational constraints are designed to prevent erosion and preserve the archaeological site’s integrity.
Additional Measures in Iceland, France, and Amsterdam
Iceland enforces infrastructure charges to fund environmental protection of its glacial areas. France promotes tourism distribution to reduce crowding near landmarks like the Louvre. Amsterdam
restricts short-term rentals to specific annual timeframes and plans to reduce pressure from river cruise traffic as part of broader visitor management efforts.
UNWTO Endorses Carrying Capacity Frameworks as Best Practice
The World Tourism Organization has officially endorsed carrying capacity frameworks as best practices for managing heritage tourism. This institutional recognition supports the adoption of visitor limits and fee systems designed to safeguard cultural and natural assets while maintaining economic benefits.
Impacts on Travelers from New Visitor Management Policies
Travelers to these destinations will encounter mandatory booking requirements, access restrictions, visitor fees, and rental limitations. These measures necessitate more advance planning and reduce opportunities for unscheduled visits. While some new costs apply, shorter queues and better-preserved
sites aim to enhance long-term visitor experiences and safeguard destinations for future generations.
