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FODOR’s travel guide website has revealed 15 destinations in the world that will not be worth visiting in 2025. One of the “No List” destinations is Bali, which is at the top of the list.
As reported by Independent.co.uk, Fodor’s placed Bali at the top of this list because the island is considered to be experiencing overtourism. This has a negative impact on the destination and its tourists, one of which is plastic waste.
With 5.3 million international visitors expected by 2023, Bali’s once pristine beaches are now buried under nearly 303,000 tons of plastic waste, according to experts on the site. They also wrote that Bali’s tourism industry and natural environment are tied together in a fragile and circular relationship. Bali’s economy thrives on hospitality, which depends on the health of its natural landscape.
The impact of overtourism
Kristin Winkaffe, a sustainable travel expert, said that overtourism is affecting the core of Balinese life.
“Without change, we risk losing not only the beautiful landscape, but the cultural identity itself,” she said.
The same sentiment was expressed by Marta Soligo, assistant professor at the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, United States. She said that tourism in this place emphasizes economic growth and prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability.
“It is also important to consider the quality of daily life for local residents, as this often leads to problems such as rising cost of living, noise pollution and traffic congestion, which is already happening in Bali,” Soligo said. “In addition, overtourism can exacerbate conflicting relationships between tourists and residents, as visitors lack respect for local communities and locals feel overwhelmed by the crowds.” Bali was previously on Fodor’s No List in 2020.
No List Destinations
In addition to Bali, there are 14 other destinations that have made the 2025 No List. Adventure tourism to Mount Everest has also been warned off due to the amount of waste it generates and the danger it poses to local workers. Barcelona, Majorca and the Canary Islands were named as European destinations where locals don’t want tourists due to tourism protests this summer, while Venice and Lisbon were listed for new daily tourist entrance fees and a lack of housing.
Travelers have also been warned against vacationing in Koh Samui, Thailand, due to concerns about crowds after the premiere of The White Lotus in 2025. The island is the filming location for the third season of the HBO series. Experts fear that increased traffic will exacerbate existing problems, including waste management and water supply on the island.
Destinations starting to fail
A number of destinations around the world are showing signs of struggling with the surge in tourism, including the British Virgin Islands, Kerala in India, and the Japanese cities of Kyoto and Tokyo. Oaxaca in Mexico has also been identified as a place to watch before it’s too late.
Fodor’s says Italy’s 2025 Capital of Culture, Agrigento in Sicily, is facing a severe water crisis that could be exacerbated by increased tourism.
Scotland’s famous North Coast 500 road trip is now considered too popular. Traffic-clogged roads and a lack of adequate camping facilities have created a number of problems for local residents.
Despite the list, Fodor’s says it does not advocate boycotts, as they are detrimental to local economies and will not bring about meaningful change.
“However, we believe that the first step to alleviating a problem is to acknowledge that it exists. The No List serves to highlight destinations where tourism puts unsustainable pressure on local land and communities.”
Fodor’s list of destinations not recommended for 2025: (1). Bali, Indonesia, (2). Barcelona, Spain, (3). Majorca, Spain, (4). Venice, Italy, (5). Canary Islands, Spain, (6). Lisbon, Portugal, (7). Koh Samui, Thailand, (8). Mount Everest, (9). Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, (10). British Virgin Islands, (11). Kerala, India, (12). Kyoto, Japan, (13). Tokyo, Japan, (14). Oaxaca, Mexico, (15). North Coast 500, Scotland. [sources/photo special]
