TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The international travel guide site Fodor's Travel has released the No List 2026, which includes eight tourist destinations to be avoided for the time being. This list is not a call for boycott, but an invitation for tourists to give these places a break to recover from overtourism pressures for the sake of environmental sustainability and local communities.
In its preamble, Fodor's emphasizes that the uncontrolled surge of tourists has damaged the ecosystem of almost every destination prioritizing tourism. Local communities struggle to survive in a changing environment due to tourism.
Here are the eight destinations included in Fodor's No List 2026 along with their main reasons:
1. Antarctica
The continent of Antarctica is known as an extremely fragile region that does not need tourism to support its economy. The number of visitors has rapidly increased. Reported by Euronews, less than 8,000 people visited annually in the 1990s. However, during the 2023-24 season, the number exceeded 124,000, according to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO), the body overseeing tourism to the continent.
The rare and vulnerable environment in this continent cannot accommodate a high number of tourists without the risk of damage. IAATO strives to regulate tourism voluntarily, but does not have the authority to limit the number of visitors. Furthermore, non-member ships are increasing, adding pressure to the already threatened ecosystem. These conditions make Antarctica a destination that should be limited to preserve its sustainability.
2. Canary Islands (Spain)
The rapid surge in tourism has caused traffic jams, increased housing prices, and significant environmental damage in the Canary Islands. The negative impacts of mass tourism threaten the preservation of nature, the availability of water resources, including about 100 million liters of untreated waste that pollutes the beaches every day. Existing regulations are still insufficient to control overtourism, while the locals feel a loss of their culture and identity amidst the dominance of economic interests from major investors.
3. Glacier National Park (Montana, US)
Glacier National Park faces a significant threat due to climate change accelerating glacier melt and ecosystem damage. The surge in tourist visits in the "last chance tourism" worsens congestion, pollution, and wildlife habitat disturbances. Management efforts and regulations are not sufficient to address the impacts of mass tourism exacerbated by climate change. Infrastructure unpreparedness and environmental threats make this park a destination to be avoided to preserve its sustainability.
4. Isola Sacra (Italy)
A major port project in Isola Sacra presents a serious risk to the vulnerable ecosystem in the coastal region, including coastal erosion, pollution, and protected area damage. Social and cultural impacts are also felt by the local community strongly opposing the development. Inadequate regional infrastructure exacerbates the potential for congestion and pollution due to the surge of cruise ships and port activities. These conditions make Isola Sacra a destination of questionable sustainability and tend to be avoided.
5. Jungfrau Region (Switzerland)
The Jungfrau region, part of the Alps, faces heavy pressure from mass tourism resulting in congestion, environmental damage, and social tension with the local population. Climate change also threatens the existence of iconic glaciers in this region. Housing availability issues arise as many property owners prefer to rent out through platforms like Airbnb rather than to permanent residents, worsening the scarcity of housing for local residents.
6. Mexico City (Mexico)
Mexico City is facing a social and cultural crisis due to gentrification and a surge in short-term rentals driven by platforms like Airbnb. The surge of tourists and foreign remote workers has led to the eviction of local residents, rent hikes, and the loss of community identity. Local cultural changes and economic injustices increase social tensions, making the city less welcoming and beginning to be avoided by some.
7. Mombasa (Kenya)
The coastal city of Mombasa is facing overtourism crisis with serious environmental impacts such as beach and sea pollution due to poor waste management, as well as population density and congestion that disrupt the comfort of tourists and residents. Crimes against tourists and the lack of tourism carrying capacity data add to the risk of the declining popularity of this destination.
8. Montmartre (Paris, France)
Montmartre is facing problems of excessive tourism with a surge in visitors causing congestion, property price increases, and damage to local culture. Local residents feel that the environment is increasingly unfit for habitation due to overcrowding and city policies that favor tourism businesses. The risk of losing authenticity and identity makes Montmartre potentially starting to be avoided by some tourists.
Fodor's No List is released annually. Last year, Bali was briefly listed as the top destination on this list. The main reason was overtourism, which triggered the accumulation of plastic waste reaching 303,000 tons on the beaches, due to 5.3 million foreign tourists in 2023.
"Without change, we not only risk beautiful landscapes, but we are at risk of losing the cultural identity itself," said Kristin Winkaffe, a travel expert, as quoted by Independent, November 26, 2024. The impacts include cost of living increases, noise pollution, traffic congestion, and tensions between tourists and locals due to lack of respect and excessive crowds. Bali also appeared on a similar list in 2020.
Fodor's hopes this list encourages tourists to choose alternative destinations ready to receive visitors, while supporting local efforts in maintaining sustainability. For governments and the tourism industry, this is a call to reform policies, such as implementing visitor quotas or investing in eco-friendly infrastructure.
PUTRI AZ ZAHRA SUHERMAN
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