Finance & economics | Beat the crowds

Which cities have the worst overtourism problem?

We rank popular destinations on two measures

Crowds on the Damrak in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Photograph: Getty Images

Cities everywhere are busy implementing measures to deter excess tourism. But most people agree holidaymakers offer an economic bounty. So what would the ideal tourist market look like? Residents would probably prefer a small number of high-spending visitors, to minimise disturbance and maximise revenues. Figures compiled by The Economist rank 20 popular destinations on their appeal to international travellers, and provide a sense of which cities are nearest to—and furthest from—this ideal.

From the August 3rd 2024 edition

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