Fodor’s, an American travel guide publisher, has included Bali on its Fodor’s No List 2025, or Fodors’ List of 15 World Destinations Not Worth Visiting by 2025.
Previously, in 2020, Fodors had included the island in the same list. In 2024, Fodors again included Bali as a destination that is not recommended to visit in 2025. Why?
“Rapid and uncontrolled development fueled by over-tourism is encroaching on Bali’s natural habitats, eroding its environmental and cultural heritage, and creating a ‘plastic apocalypse’,” reads a statement from Fodor’s official website.
The media outlet acknowledges that these tourist spots are popular because they are stunning, interesting, and have great cultural value. However, some of these popular tourist sites are starting to lose their charm due to various factors, one of which is due to too many tourists visiting the region.
This list is compiled based on a number of factors, including excessive popularity, environmental damage, social pressure on local residents, and lack of adequate infrastructure.
The list is divided into two: the perennial no list, which contains a number of destinations classified as “frequent” on the list, and the Destinations beginning to suffer list, which contains a number of destinations considered to be under pressure.
Fodor’s No List: 15 world destinations to reconsider in 2025
1. Bali
After the COVID-19 pandemic, tourist visits to Bali have increased. However, this has also led to overtourism and environmental problems such as waste.
The Bali Partnership, a coalition of academics and non-governmental organizations working to study and solve waste management problems, estimates that Bali generates 1.6 million tons of waste each year, with plastic waste accounting for nearly 303,000 tons. Only 48 per cent of all waste is managed responsibly, and only seven per cent of plastic waste is recycled.
As a result, a lot of waste pollutes a number of beaches in Bali. For example in Kuta and Seminyak. Overtourism is also said to worsen the relationship between tourists and local communities. One reason is the lack of respect tourists have for the local community.
2. Barcelona
This Spanish city has been in the spotlight ever since its Indigenous population expressed their opposition to tourists, an action that seems to have been triggered by overtourism in the city.
3. Mallorca
Like Barcelona, Mallorca in Spain is also facing major pressure due to the overcrowding of tourists.
4. Canary Islands
Still, intensive tourism in Spain has affected the environmental balance and created social complications for the locals.
5. Venice
Venice, Italy, continues to be in the spotlight due to its extreme tourist density. High tourist entry fees are one government effort to reduce negative impacts, but sustainability challenges are still a big issue.
6. Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal, is facing a lack of housing for local residents due to tourists’ increasing use of short-term rental properties.
7. Koh Samui
Increased tourist traffic is exacerbating waste management and water supply issues, which are already long-standing issues on this Thai island.
8. Mount Everest
Nepal’s Mount Everest is contaminated by garbage on the climbing trails, and local workers face great risks when assisting tourists.
9. Agrigento
As Italy’s Capital of Culture in 2025, Agrigento faces a serious water crisis that could be exacerbated by a surge in tourists.
10. Virgin Island
The Virgin Islands in the UK are starting to show signs of stress from excessive tourism.
11. Kerala
Kerala, known as “God’s Own Country” in India, is beginning to be affected by poorly managed tourism.
12. Kyoto
Kyoto has long struggled with the number of tourists coming to the city with its strong Japanese culture.
13. Tokyo
Tokyo faces urban challenges due to mass tourism.
14. Oaxaca
Oaxaca in Mexico is becoming increasingly popular with tourists, but this popularity is putting pressure on the community.
15. Scotland North Coast 500
This road trip route has become so popular that it has led to traffic jams and a lack of adequate camping facilities.
