Overtourism has been blamed for driving up house prices, forcing locals out of cities and killing the vibe in some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
Not only that, but a recent survey by travel magazine Wanderlust shows that overtourism is potentially driving away the most discerning travellers, with between 68% and 95% of its readers saying they would avoid somewhere known to be crowded.
So it’s not surprising that more and more destinations are implementing or increasing tourist taxes to reduce numbers, raise revenue and yes, to potentially deter low-spending visitors and encourage those with more cash to splash.
Among destinations that have recently introduced new tourist taxes are Venice, Iceland and Gran Canaria. Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy recently described the new Canary island’s tax as ‘madness’. The question is, should we welcome these taxes to reduce overtourism, or are they doing more harm than good?
Taking part in a panel discussion during a presentation of AITO’s Travel Insights 2025, James Westrip (pictured left) of Africa Collection and Ted Wake (pictured right) of Kirker Holidays gave two opposing arguments.
James Westrip, Africa Collection
James admitted that game reserves in Africa are becoming overcrowded, especially during the European school summer holidays.
The problem is noticeable in the Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya, and the Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania, he said.
James added that both ‘have real problems with overtourism’, saying: “It is a problem if you are going in July and August to the Masai Mara, you are going to a busy area.”
However, James expressed concern that the higher fees and taxes being introduced at some safari parks would make travel elitist. “For example, to see the gorillas in Rwanda, there is a park fee of US$1,500 per person per day.”
He pointed out that park fees in Kenya have doubled recently to about US$30 per person. The Masai Mara nature reserve now charges an entrance fee of $70 to $80 per person per day for everyone over the age of 12, and $40 to $45 for children between three and 12.
James said these fees made holidays less affordable for families wanting to experience Africa safaris.
James also worried that discouraging tourists to visit place like Africa would cause more harm than good. “Not going to Africa damages Africa,” he said. “Communities there benefit massively from tourism, that is the message that needs to get out.”
He said alternative ways to reduce over-crowding was to encourage people to travel out of season or to visit private reserves.
Ted Wake, Kirker Holidays
Ted claimed that Venice’s controversial tax on day-trippers, which was introduced during peak days (mostly weekends) last summer, raised more in a month than it expected to earn in a year.
During the four months of its operation, from April to July, around 1,000 tourist a day put a total of €2.4 million in the city’s coffers.
The tax is being extended from a total of 29 days to 54 this year, starting on 18 April and running till 25 July. The $5 tax will apply from Friday to Sunday and some extra holiday dates, and it will be doubled for tourists who fail to book at least four hours in advance.
“I say bring it on,” said Ted. “The world becoming elitist is a problem for us all but the world is not big enough. Travel has always been elitist, since the early days. We have to be realistic about whether we can save the world, or whether we embrace taxes.”
He added: “If you don’t restrict travel with taxes, Venice as we know it won’t be there in years to come.”
Ted didn’t agree with the notion that discerning travellers will avoid a destination that’s been labelled over-touristed. “Overtourism is very much on our mind, but our travellers are pragmatic, and they are not going to give up the opportunity to go to New York,” he said. “If you curate it properly, they are still going to go.”
He added: “Not going to cities, not staying in hotels and not using independent guides is very bad for the future of these cities.”
Ted put the blame for overtourism on ‘big’ cruise lines, Airbnb and all-inclusive hotels. Taking a swipe at people who buy holiday homes in cities such as Venice, he said: “People see it as an investment, but you are displacing students, young people and diminishing the number of full-time jobs.”
When Wanderlust founder Lyn Hughes, who was chairing the AITO panel discussion questioned whether it was hyprocitical to blame Airbnb since the majority of the AITO audience admitted to having stayed in one, Ted joked: “Yes but I’m sure you use them discerningly and only in an emergency!”
