12 famous places that do not welcome tourists in droves

Santorini, Greece:The island, famous for its blue and white color scheme, will undergo a major makeover in the coming months, aiming to curb the influx of cruise ship visitors, which can reach up to 10,000 a day during the peak season from May to September. In 2017, the island will begin limiting the number of visitors to 8,000 a day.

Norway:Norway is calling for restrictions on tourists trekking to popular spots including Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) and Trolltunga (Troll's Tongue), according to The Local. Norwegian rescue teams have carried out 34 emergency rescues at Pulpit Rock this year. Due to the high number of accidents and injuries, the Norwegian Tourist Association called for new laws in August to ban tourists from climbing the site.

Venice (Italy):In addition to rising water levels threatening infrastructure, the city of love is also seeing an ever-increasing number of tourists. Some scholars believe that native Venetians will no longer live here by 2030 due to the increase in tourism, rising rents that locals can no longer afford, etc. To reduce the number of tourists, the Italia Nostra group has proposed that the government ban boats in the harbor, and that large groups must book in advance before coming to the city.

Koh Tachai, Thailand:The island, part of the Similan National Park, was closed in October 2015 after becoming overcrowded. Three other islands, Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui, and Koh Khai Nai in Phuket, followed suit. Tour operators were required to follow strict rules about when, where, and how visitors could visit the islands. Beach chairs and umbrellas were also removed.

Zion National Park, Utah, USA:Zion is expecting a record 4 million visitors this year. However, to avoid soil erosion and overloaded vehicles, park officials are considering limiting the number of visitors through a new reservation system.

Barcelona, ​​Spain:The plan is to strike a balance between the interests of tourists and locals, and to clamp down before things get out of hand. In May 2016, the city considered imposing a new tourist tax on visitors who do not stay overnight, and those who travel by boat.

Bhutan:Located in the western Himalayas, the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan prides itself on “low-key, high-quality” tourism. All foreign visitors, except those with Indian, Maldivian, and Bangladeshi passports, must apply for a visa and book a tour through a Bhutanese travel agency. Visitors must also prepay for a minimum daily tour package of $200-250 per day, depending on the month, as determined by the Royal Government of Bhutan, paid by wire transfer through the Bhutan Tourism Board. The fee includes accommodation, meals, guides, transportation, health care, and poverty alleviation. Only 155,121 tourists visited Bhutan in 2015, of which 57,537 were international, with the remainder coming from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.

Iceland:In May 2015, the number of tourists to Iceland increased by 76% compared to the same period in 2014, and by 2017, Iceland will have more American tourists than its own population. Currently, the Icelandic Tourism Board and the Tourism Research Center are studying the overcrowding of sites before taking action.

Machu Picchu, Peru:UNESCO is encouraging stricter controls on the number of visitors to Machu Picchu. Foreign visitors must hire a guide, use one of three entrances to the complex, and limit their visits to avoid overcrowding. In 2014, about 1.2 million people visited the Inca citadel, exceeding the daily limit of 2,500 set by Peru and UNESCO. The citadel was placed on UNESCO’s “in danger” list earlier this year.

Cinque Terre, Italy:A cluster of five picturesque villages along the Ligurian coast, Cinque Terre is one of Italy's most popular destinations. However, authorities have recently announced plans to limit the number of visitors due to environmental concerns. The 2.5 million visitors to Cinque Terre in 2015 will be capped at 1.5 million from now on.

Antarctica:In 2009, a surge in visitors led to the ratification of the Antarctic Treaty, which prohibits cruise ships with more than 500 passengers from docking and limits the number of visitors on shore to 100. Visitors to the pristine environment must register through travel agencies and government-approved operators. Time on shore and boating are strictly controlled.

Mount Everest:The Nepalese government has taken steps to control tourists, including increasing the fee for foreign climbers from $10,000 to $11,000, and establishing a liaison office at base camp to check the experience, health, and climbing ability of visitors. In September 2015, Nepal banned novice climbers and reviewed age restrictions. Groups have also been reduced in size to avoid overcrowding.

• Haunting scenes in abandoned places around the world
• Spectacular places like on strange planets in America
• Explore Vietnamese locations featured in "Kong: Skull Island"
• Famous places in Nghe An
• Beautiful Lands Like Heaven on Earth
• Stunned by the land with the 'strangest accent in Vietnam'