Spain, Italy and Greece holidays could be out in 2024 as Britons look to ditch overrated destinations
'Barcelona tops the list of places warranting a break right now'
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Holidaying abroad is something Britons love to do and several tourist hotspots are on the bucket lists of many.
But according to three travel experts, Britons might want to leave some popular holiday destinations in 2023.
Holidaymakers are seemingly cottoning on to places that are overrated, overpriced and contributing to unsustainable tourism.
Travel expert, solo adventurer, and founder of Following Fiona told GB News that three once beloved European destinations have had their moments in the sun.
Spain is an incredibly popular tourist destination, with Britons flocking to the sunny country in their masses year after year.
'The overly popular Croatian seaside city of Dubrovnik is a summer holiday destination I would suggest leaving in 2023'
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However, according to Fiona, tourist hotspot Barcelona might be ‘out’ this year.
She said: “I would argue that Barcelona tops the list of places warranting a break right now. The sheer volume of visitors and cruise passengers has created a saturated, Disneyfied atmosphere around iconic landmarks like La Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell.
”Locals are being priced out as hotels cater entirely to groups. What was once vibrant now feels trampled.”
Some parts of Italy and Greece are similarly cramped, according to the expert. She said: “Venice tells a similar story, unfortunately - though frankly it's been headed this way for years.
”The crowds cramming onto water buses and jostling through narrow alleys removes any lingering charm. There's a visible frustration among residents as their home morphs into a theme park.”
But this doesn’t mean Britons must vow to neglect their favourite European havens when choosing holiday spots. While Barcelona, Venice and Greece may be ‘out’ in 2024, places off the beaten track are certainly in.
”For what it's worth, I still find immense travel joy and culture in Spain, Italy and Greece if you venture beyond the greatest hits.
”But it may be time to let some of these sensations rest and rediscover their magic someday,” Fiona told GB News.
Timon van Basten is a tour guide in Spain and lives in Barcelona. He told GB News that tourism has been “detrimental” for the busy Spanish city.
He said: “Living in Barcelona and working as a tour guide here over the years, I've experienced the exponential growth in visitors to Barcelona. While tourism contributes greatly to our local economy, the sheer volume of tourists now flocking here has unfortunately become detrimental in many ways.
”The crowds jamming Sagrada Familia and La Rambla have lost the authentic Spanish charm that originally drew people.
”Locals like myself struggle to book hotels or restaurant reservations, even months in advance, with so much catering to tourists nowadays. Increased trash, noise, petty crime, and housing prices driven up by illegal Airbnb's have added to growing tensions.
”I love sharing the wonders of Barcelona, but we natives can no longer find the same peace and community within its streets.”
According to the Barcelona local, measures have been put into place to combat the intense impact of tourism, but there is more to be done.
Timon said: “The city's cap on cruise ships and expansion of pedestrian ‘superblocks’ seems a promising start." According to Meet Barcelona, this will mean "large spaces for local people, with areas to meet up in, children’s games and street furniture taking centre stage".
Timon continued: ”But a difficult balance remains between welcoming visitors and retaining Barcelona's essence for residents.
”I hope measures can preserve the Barcelona I love while sustaining tourism's economic boom. The character of the city is what drew visitors originally, so preserving local culture should be the priority now.”
Mercedes Zach, travel expert at ASAP Tickets, added a fourth European city into the mix of places we might want to leave behind.
She said: “The overly popular Croatian seaside city of Dubrovnik is a summer holiday destination I would suggest leaving in 2023.
”Being one of the main filming sets for the HBO show Game of Thrones, just last year, this historic city was named the most overcrowded tourist spot in Europe to the point that it has even been forced to take measures to limit the number of daily visitors and protect its UNESCO status.
”In fact, it is a relatively small city with just over 41,000 residents, and tourist crowds tend to invade it, take up space and use up resources, yet contribute little to the economy.
”Overtourism has also caused multiple other issues, from traffic jams to damaged infrastructure and a massive increase in prices as well as lower quality of life for residents.”
But Croatia is an idyllic country and Britons need not abandon it altogether.
Mercedes advised: ”So if you were among the ones considering Dubrovnik as your next vacation spot, I would rather leave it behind and go to Šibenik instead.
”It's a smaller and lesser-known Croatian seaside city that has lovely Venetian-style architecture and a picturesque Adriatic coastline, perfect for an authentic holiday experience and a much more peaceful time away in the sun.”
But it’s not just European hotspots that have had their day, according to travel experts. Britons may also decide to ditch destinations further afield.
Mercedes said: “With the new holiday season coming up, many people across the UK are already planning those well-deserved vacation trips. While some travellers look for popular must-see destinations to cross off their bucket lists, others prefer a more peaceful and authentic experience instead of the tourist crowds while going abroad. If that is the case for you, I would personally suggest skipping overrated tourist spots.
”The number one overly touristy destination I suggest British travellers should skip is Thailand - Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi in particular.
”Now that the travel volumes have exceeded the pre-pandemic levels, these exotic destinations get massively over-crowded all year long, leading to price inflation, increased pollution and a decrease in the quality of life for the locals.
”The situation has gone so bad that the local government has been forced to implement measures to control tourist numbers coming to these islands. And the same goes for the so-called paradise island of Bali in Indonesia, which is another very popular beach getaway spot for adventure seekers from around the world. Here, the local government has even imposed a tourist tax to somehow manage the situation.
”So, if you are looking to avoid huge crowds, I would recommend picking other not less stunning tropical beach vacation spots such as Sri Lanka, Sumba or Sumatra for example, that allure with beautiful golden beaches, turquoise waters, picture-perfect landscapes, and lots of fun activities to explore.”
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Bali has recently launched a tourist tax to help preserve the island's rich heritage
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Travel expert Anne Sutherland is also suggesting we wave bye-bye to Bali. She told GB News: “Travellers today are increasingly aware of their impact on local environments and communities. With climate change and other environmental issues in the spotlight, people want to ensure their tourism dollars support sustainable practices.
”Destinations like Bali and the Philippines face challenges in this area. For example, Bali's water resources are strained by unsustainable tourism development.
”The island's rivers, lakes and rice paddies are drying up, threatening agriculture and access to drinking water for locals. Meanwhile, hotels tap into groundwater without regulation, lowering the water table.
”The Philippines faces threats to its incredible but fragile marine ecosystems. Places like Boracay saw coral degradation from unregulated mass tourism. Sewage flowing into the ocean has damaged reefs and driven away fish. This hurts subsistence fishing communities.”
Anne predicted that with travellers now “scrutinising” the sustainability of destinations before visiting, some holiday hotspots may “fall out of favour” if they exploit resources without caring for their environmental impact.
She made a prediction for holidaying in 2024 and beyond: “Spots like Costa Rica prioritize responsible tourism will attract eco-conscious visitors.
”People want their tourism spending to align with their values, so destinations must balance profitability with stewardship of natural and cultural heritage. Those taking a short-sighted approach may see a backlash.”
There are some destinations in Europe and beyond that attract visitors from all over the world - and there’s good reason for it.
Places like Barcelona and Bali are popular because they offer so much diversity for holidaymakers.
From rich history and culture to breathtaking monuments, fantastic nightlife and delicious cuisine to beautiful stretches of beach, these beloved tourist areas have it all.
However, the experts suggested that if you ditch the swathes of tourists and venture off the beaten track a little, you’re likely to have just as much fun, find hidden gems and make a positive impact on the environment and local communities.
Britons have been warned of a tourist tax coming into force this month in Bali, Indonesia. The levy is considered to be a "small step towards big changes in protecting culture and nature".