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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists slam world's most overcrowded city which is 'wall to wall people'
Phuket in Thailand has been named as the world's most overcrowded travel hotspot, with 118 tourists for every single local resident, and one traveller said you'd be faced with 'wall to wall people' Tourists are growing tired of a holiday hotspot that has become too popular for its own good. The issue of over-tourism has become a pressing concern in the travel industry, especially after the post- Covid resurgence led to an exceptionally bustling summer as holidaymakers, previously confined by lockdowns, finally embarked on their long-awaited journeys. Last year Venice launched a day-trip tourist tax aimed at reducing the influx of visitors to the City of Water. It's far from being the first popular destination to implement such a measure, with numerous other cities and countries already striving to curb tourist numbers. In the UK, Brighton is considering whether to introduce such a measure, in a bid to swell the council's coffers while controlling the impact of tourism. Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@ Thailand is one place that has recently introduced a similar levy, and for good reason. Phuket, an island in the country, has been deemed the world's most overcrowded destination. A study from found that that this Thai gem has a staggering 118 tourists for every local inhabitant. Phuket boasts some of the world's top coastal spots, including Kata and Karon. As Thailand's largest island, it offers around 90 miles of coastline. However, experiences on the island can vary greatly. Patong, one of Phuket's most renowned resorts, is famed for its vibrant nightlife, rows of beach deckchairs, and hordes of tourists. In contrast, the north and east sides of the island offer tranquil seaside spots and more authentic, affordable Thai cuisine. A disgruntled traveller took to Tripadvisor to share their disillusionment with Phuket, recounting their experiences from the 70s to a visit seven years 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 began. "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." They expressed dismay at the influx of new visitors: "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. 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." As Thailand grapples with a tumultuous travel industry that saw visitor numbers plummet from 40 million in 2019 to a mere 200,000 in 2020, only to surge dramatically as borders reopened, the country implemented a tourist tax in April last year. Now, all airfares into the country include an additional £6.60 charge. If you fancy experiencing Thailand when it's less crowded, it would be prudent to avoid the peak season between November and March. Although temperatures might be slightly cooler, they'll still hover around the 30C mark in many areas. "I just feel like everyone tries to do something different, but you always wind up doing the same damn thing," exclaims Leonardo DiCaprio's character in Danny Boyle's The Beach. His words are prophetic in both the film and real life. The success of the movie would sound a death knell for the pristine, idyllic beach that gives the flick its name. More and more people travelled to Maya Bay where it was shot, to bask in its impossibly blue waters and sunbathe on the golden sands. Get holiday recommendations straight to your WhatsApp! In need of a holiday? With the summer in full swing, the Mirror has launched its very own Travel WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest holiday recommendations from our travel experts straight to your WhatsApp. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Today, the reality of the Thai destination could not be further from the slice of paradise at the heart of the film. Boats are banned from motoring into the bay as their presence was cluttering up the waters and chasing away the 40 blacktip reef sharks who usually cruise there out of the cyan shallows. Tourists must buy a 400baht (£8) ticket to step onto the beach, only to be shepherded out again after an hour. Swimming is banned to protect the fragile reef system there. Officials decided to shut the bay - on Phi Phi Leh island in the Andaman Sea - first for four months and then several years from 2018, it finally opening up again in 2022. One recent visitor to Maya Bay likened it to "Times Square in New York", such is the hustle, bustle and density of the crowds found there. If you're planning to visit Thailand, check out our guide on the quieter, less overcrowded beaches you can visit instead.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
European country dubbed world's most crowded - and it's not Greece or Spain
Research has revealed that there is one country in Europe where tourists outnumber locals three to one, and surprisingly, it's none of the summer hotspots that Brits tend to frequent When you think of crowded European tourist destinations, Spain and Greece are probably top of mind. But another European country has scooped the title of the most overcrowded tourist destination in the world. Despite the fact that protestors reclaimed the beaches in Spain to fight overtourism and housing shortages, the country with the most visitors per local is actually Austria. Research conducted by the team at reveals that the country in central Europe is the most crowded. The study found that for every local resident in Austria, there are 3.6 tourists. Despite having a population of just 8.9 million, the country welcomes around 32 million visitors each year, as previously reported by the Express. But where exactly are all these tourists heading? Vienna, the culturally rich capital city of Austria, is the country's top tourist draw. Known as the 'City of Dreams', it's not hard to understand Vienna's mass appeal. The capital is home to top-rate attractions including the Schonbrunn Palace, the Vienna Opera House, and the Museum of Natural History. The city is also famous for its delicious namesake cake and baroque architecture. But while Vienna may be equipped to welcome hordes of tourists, some of Austria's smaller locations are struggling with the task. Hallstatt, a stunning village located on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, has seen locals taking to the streets to protest against the surge in tourism. The small village of Hallstatt sits on southwestern shore of Lake Hallstatt in Austria's Salzkammergut mountain region. If you're trying to conjure an idea of the little hamlet, think Austrian postcard: 16th-century Alpine houses on the lake's edge with snow-capped mountains in the background. But it might be a bit too picturesque. Hallstatt was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 for its well preserved architecture and its ancient traditions that can be traced back to the Iron Age. But the village has become well-known among tourists recently for its famous free-floating skywalk. Tourists often gather at the village's famous viewpoint to snap selfies. In 2024, village officials put up a fence to obstruct the view in an effort to deter tourists from taking excessive photos. Locals have even taken to the streets to protest against the traffic jams and congestion caused by the influx of visitors to their small village. But if you are keen on a trip to Austria and want to avoid the worst of the crowds then Graz might be a better option, according to the research by Austria's second largest city it may not be as popular with tourists, but it's renowned as the 'Capital of Culinary Delights'. As the historic heart of the Stygia region, Graz has two world heritage sites; the old town, reputedly the largest medieval district in Europe, and Eggenberg Palace. A trip to Graz during the winter months promises to be particularly exciting during the winter months when the Christmas market opens up. Graz's Advent Market kicks off the festive season and is hosted right in front of the impressive City Hall at Hauptplaz. For those keen on adding a historic element to their holiday, Graz's oldest yule market awaits outside the Franciscan church in Old Town. Christmas markets typically run from mid-November until Christmas Eve.
