World’s most overcrowded holiday destination is ‘wall to wall people’

The world’s most popular tourist destination sees locals outnumbered by more than 100 to one. The issue of over-tourism has become a significant concern in the travel industry, particularly following the post-Covid surge in holidaymakers finally able to embark on their planned trips.

This week, Venice announced the commencement date for a tourist tax aimed at reducing visitor numbers to the City of Water. However, it is far from being the first popular destination to implement such a measure, with numerous other cities and countries already striving to decrease tourist numbers.

Thailand, which recently introduced a similar charge, provides a prime example. According to a study by MoneyTransfers.com, Phuket, an island in Thailand, is considered the world’s most overcrowded destination, boasting 118 tourists for every local resident.

Phuket, one of Thailand’s premier beach destinations, is home to several of the world’s top coastal spots, including Kata and Karon. As Thailand’s largest island, it boasts approximately 90 miles of coastline.

Experiences on the island vary greatly. Patong, one of Phuket’s best-known resorts, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, beach lined with deckchairs, and hordes of tourists, reports the Mirror.

In contrast, the north and east side of the island offer quieter seaside spots and more authentic, affordable Thai cuisine. An unsatisfied guest recounted their experience in Phuket on Tripadvisor, lamenting the transformation since their first visit over four decades ago: “I made my first trip to Phuket in the mid 70’s and have returned many times since, the latest around seven years ago,” they wrote.

“Needless to say there have been huge changes over the years and I expected to see a lot more people there during our visit. However, nothing could have prepared me for the hordes of people crowding the island, the beaches and the day tours to outlying islands.”

Detailing the influx of new tourists, the visitor continued: “A crush of new tourists are arriving and often on non-stop, wide bodied flights. This is on top of an already large number of tourists visiting from other countries and from within Thailand itself, and my perception is that the sheer number of bodies is overwhelming the place.”

They finished their review, saying: “Fortunately we had a nice resort away from the crowds so the visit was not a total loss. If you love wall to wall people, go to Phuket, but if not, I suggest you look for some less crowded places in the region.”

Thailand, grappling with a turbulent travel sector that saw visitor numbers plummet from 40 million in 2019 to just 200,000 the same year, introduced a tourist tax in April. Now, all flights into the country carry an additional £6.60 charge.

If you’re looking for a quieter Thai experience, it’s advisable to avoid the high season between November and March. Despite slightly cooler temperatures, many areas still enjoy around 30C.

Greece’s Heraklion also made the list of overcrowded destinations, boasting 22 tourists for every local resident. Predictably, Venice also featured in the top 10, with the Italian city attracting an impressive 21 tourists per resident.