Over the past few years, many countries have begun to implement different ways to put a cap on the number of visitors. Rapidly increasing tourists have overcrowded places and disrupted their ecosystems which has prompted the Government to take this precautionary step.
Here are some of the places you would want to think twice before visiting them.
Cinque Terre
Tucked away on the Italian Riviera coastline, Cinque Terre is home to colourful houses and breathtaking vineyards. Cinque Terre translates to ‘Five Lands’; the five coastal villages include Monterosso, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and Vernazza. Known for its scenic hiking trails, Cinque Terre attracts approximately two million tourists annually. Due to landslide, many travellers have been injured in the past. For safety reasons, the park authorities have come up with an app that can be downloaded by travellers. The app will show real time numbers of people on different routes. A red warning sign on the app would indicate an overcrowded route; visitors can then take a call whether to go ahead or not.
Maya Bay
Recall Leonardo DiCaprio starrer movie ‘The Beach’? Well, the shooting of this popular film took place in Maya Bay. Nestled in Thailand, Maya Bay is home to exotic marine life, crystal clear water and soft white sand. Nearly 5,000 travellers visit this bay per day. The boat anchors have damaged a significant portion of Maya Bay's coral. To restore the coral reefs, Maya Bay will be closed to visitors from June to September, 2018. After restoration, once Maya Bay reopens, it will limit the visitors to 2,000 per day. Also the boats will not be allowed to cross the shallow reef.
Caño Cristales
A photographer’s paradise, Colombia’s Caño Cristales aka Liquid Rainbow is a real treat to the eyes. Travellers flock to this place to witness the unique beauty of this river. Due to aquatic plants and tricks of the light, one can see different hues which include yellow, lime green, red and pink. The level of pollution has increased due to rising number of visitors, thereby damaging the delicate ecosystem. To limit the number of visitors, a number of rules have been introduced. Visitors have to attend a briefing session where the rules are explained to them. Fish feeding, cigarettes, plastic bottles are banned and visitors cannot enter water after applying sunscreen or insect repellent.
Machu Picchu
Perched on a ridge in Peru’s Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu is a famous
holiday getaway. The Inca Trail is the highlight of this haven; travellers from across the globe hike their way through scenic landscapes and lush forests. Large number of tourists visiting this citadel has resulted in damaged routes filled with trash. The Government has imposed a 2,500 visitors per day cap; the hikers will have to buy a ticket before their visit. For maintenance purpose, the Inca Trail remains closed for travellers every February.
Author : Vijaylaxmi Thakur
