3 days ago
Where travel comes with limits: 6 Asian destinations responding to overtourism
2. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto has been inching toward tighter restrictions for years, but in 2024, it drew a firm line: unauthorised access to certain private alleys in the Gion district now carries a JPY10,000 fine. The aim is to protect residents—particularly geisha and maiko—who have been harassed, photographed without consent or followed. Photography bans on specific streets have been in place since 2019. The city has also restricted short-term rentals and continues to push back against the idea of Kyoto as a 24/7 photo backdrop. This is a functioning community, not a film set. 3. Boracay, Philippines
In 2018, Boracay was closed to visitors for six months to rehabilitate the island after decades of unregulated development had led to widespread pollution and crumbling infrastructure. The closure—met with resistance from locals and business owners—resulted in the demolition of hundreds of non-compliant structures and the installation of new sewage treatment systems. Since reopening, regulations have tightened: beachfront businesses must follow strict zoning rules, plastic use is limited and inspections are routine, among others. While daily visitor caps are often mentioned, enforcement appears focused on compliance with the above rules than visitor quotas. 4. Maya Bay, Thailand
Maya Bay in Ko Phi Phi Le, made famous by the Danny Boyle film, The Beach , was overrun with as many as 6,000 visitors a day before being shuttered in 2018. The closure lasted nearly four years. When it reopened in 2022, everything changed: boats were banned from anchoring in the bay, swimming was prohibited and daily visitors were capped at around 3,000. A floating pier now connects to a boardwalk that channels visitors through designated paths. Wildlife has returned, including blacktip reef sharks. It's a rare case where a destination has clawed its way back from the brink—one entry ticket at a time. 5. Mt Fuji, Japan
Japan's iconic Mt. Fuji, a favourite among adventurers, now comes with a toll gate. From the 2024 climbing season, hikers on the Yoshida Trail must pay a JPY2,000 entry fee and are capped at 4,000 per day. Entry is restricted between 4pm and 3am unless climbers have accommodation booked along the trail. The move is meant to curb 'bullet climbing'—rushing to the summit overnight without rest—which has led to injuries and littering. Additional safety briefings are required before access is granted. For a site once free to all, the message is now clear: reverence includes restraint. 6. Bhutan
Bhutan doesn't have an overtourism problem—because it's been planning for decades to avoid one. The kingdom maintains one of the strictest visitor policies in the world. As of 2023, all tourists (except Indian nationals) must pay a Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per person per day. This doesn't include accommodation or food. The revenue supports education, conservation, infrastructure and health care. Bhutan doesn't court mass travel; it expects visitors to come with purpose, time and means. In return, it offers a degree of authenticity most countries lost long ago.
Overtourism is a challenge of scale, but also of intention. Asia's most visited places are increasingly asking: what kind of tourism do we want—and what are we willing to protect to keep it? For travellers, the invitation is still open. But the terms have changed.
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