France plans to combat ‘overtourism’ by limiting visitors at popular locations and encouraging influencers to educate the public on its dangers, and one expert recommends Australians look to less-popular domestic locations for their next holidays.

Despite tourism accounting for 8 per cent of France’s GDP, Tourism Minister Olivia Gregoire earlier this month released plans to curb the popularity of the country.

The number of visitors at historic landmarks would be regulated to protect the surrounding environment, the quality of life for locals, and to create a better experience for tourists.

Part of the plan will include enlisting social media influencers to encourage people off the beaten path and to educate people about the risks of overtourism, Ms Gregoire told French media.

Brett Mitchell, managing director of Intrepid Travel ANZ, said overtourism is also a concern for some of Australia’s most popular destinations.

“Places like Sydney, Melbourne, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru have all experienced significant visitor pressure in recent years, particularly after the pandemic as more Australians choose to holiday closer to home,” he said.

“The influx of tourists can put a strain on local infrastructure, natural resources and cultural heritage, leading to overcrowding, environmental degradation and an overall decline in the quality of the visitor experience.”

Caps on tourists

France is planning to cap tourists at hotspots like the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey in Normandy, the Channel beach of Etretat and Brittany Islands, but it isn’t the only country seeking to control overtourism.

Iriomote Island in Japan caps visitors to 1200 a day in an effort to protect the ecosystem and the endangered Iriomote cat, but also to ensure the lives of locals aren’t adversely affected by large crowds, according to Japan Today.

The island has a population of about 2400 people and has averaged more than 300,000 visitors a year, but now only 33,000 will be able to make the trip.

Earlier this year, the governor of Bali proposed caps on tourists because of claims that they did not adhere to local laws.

Antarctica has one of the most heavily regulated tourism industries in the world, and bans ships with more than 500 people on board, limits the number of people allowed off a ship at one time to 100, and requires a guide for each group of 20 people.

Lord Howe Island, 700 kilometres off the coast of New South Wales, limits visitors to 400 people each night to protect its diverse ecosystems, threatened species and natural beauty.

Mr Mitchell said negative effects of overtourism include environmental degradation, congestion and overcrowding, increased cost of living and loss of cultural authenticity.

“By educating the public, we can foster a desire to ensure that tourists benefit the communities they visit while respecting their cultures, economies and the environment,” he said.

“One effective approach is to promote lesser-known destinations that offer unique experiences and are equally deserving of travellers’ attention.”

Lord Howe Island caps visitors to 400 a night. Photo: Getty

Fresh locations

In April 2023, Australia had 544,920 short-term visitors arrive in the country and there is potential for overtourism at some of the country’s most famous locations.

Tourists, both international and domestic, spent $101.3 billion in Australia throughout 2022, making 108.2 million overnight trips in the process.

Mr Mitchell said instead of exploring major cities and well-known attractions, “there are numerous, equally stunning hidden gems within Australia”.

Jim Jim Falls in Kakadu National Park. Photo: Getty

“These include Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield, where travellers can embark on an unforgettable journey through Northern Territory’s rugged top end, and the west coast and Ningaloo Reef, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in West Australia’s coastal wonders,” he said.

“Another remarkable, less-explored destination is Tasmania, where travellers can experience the unspoilt gems of southern Tasmania.”