Phuket Named World’s Most Overcrowded Destination Amid Tourism Boom. Phuket, Thailand’s picturesque island getaway, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the world’s most overcrowded destination. Once renowned for its serene beaches and tranquil atmosphere, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by an astonishing 118 to one. ASEAN NOW

 

Phuket, Thailand's picturesque island getaway, has earned the unfortunate distinction of being the world's most overcrowded destination. Once renowned for its serene beaches and tranquil atmosphere, Phuket now sees tourists outnumbering locals by an astonishing 118 to one.

 

The issue of overtourism has been thrust into the spotlight since the global travel industry roared back to life post-Covid. Holidaymakers, eager to make up for lost time, have inundated many popular spots, putting immense pressure on local infrastructure and environments. Recently, Venice took the drastic step of introducing a tourist tax to curb the influx of visitors, joining Thailand, which imposed a similar levy earlier this year.

 

Other Thai holiday destinations such as Pattaya and Krabi also feature high on the list of crowded hotspots, ranking second and third, respectively. Meanwhile, Macau in China and Miami in the United States round out the top ten.

 

Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, boasts 90 miles of stunning coastline and world-famous beaches like Kata and Karon. Nevertheless, not all parts of the island are idyllic. Patong, the most popular resort area, is heavily crowded with tourists, beach gear, and vibrant nightlife, leading to a less than peaceful experience for many visitors.

 

 

 

 

One disillusioned tourist expressed their frustration: "Nothing could have prepared me for the hordes of people. The island, the beaches, even the tours to nearby islands felt overwhelmingly crowded."

 

Despite the throngs of visitors, there are still quieter corners of Phuket to be discovered. The northern and eastern regions of the island offer a more genuine Thai experience with fewer tourists and more affordable prices. However, the island's infrastructure is struggling to cope. The influx of tourists, particularly arriving on non-stop, large aircraft, has pushed Phuket to its limits.

 

In response, Thailand has implemented a 300-baht tourist tax on all airline tickets to the country. This measure aims to regulate the soaring visitor numbers, which plummeted from 40 million in 2019 to just 200,000 during the pandemic, before surging back dramatically.

 

The world's most overcrowded destinations:

(Source: MIrror, UK)

Phuket, Thailand

Pattaya, Thailand

Krabi, Thailand

Mugla, Turkey

Hurghada, Turkey

Macau, China

Heraklion, Greece

Venice, Italy

Rhodes, Greece

Miami, USA

 

TOP PictureL: file photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-09-12