Birds of a feather flock together.
Since most individuals travel throughout the summer season, among the world’s most beautiful destinations are also its most overcrowded.
A latest rating by Go2Africa has revealed the highest 15 most overcrowded tourist destinations on this planet — where the number of tourists dramatically outweighs the local population.
It highlights a growing global trend: picturesque destinations are feeling the strain of overtourism.
As travel rebounds worldwide, congestion of tourists raises questions on sustainability, local impact and the fragile balance between welcome and overwhelm.
To determine which countries made this list, Go2Africa compared each country’s total number of tourists per 12 months to its population data by analyzing tourism figures from national tourist boards and reports.
Their findings revealed that Vatican City — the world’s smallest country by each area and population — tops the list. Despite the population of this sovereign city-state inside Rome, Italy being only 882 residents, the spiritual heart of Catholicism welcomes an astounding 6.8 million tourists annually.
That equates to a staggering 7,709.75 visitors for each local — a transparent reflection of the city-state’s immense religious and historical draw.
Nestled within the Pyrenees between France and Spain, the mountainous principality of Andorra takes second place.
Best known for its ski resorts and tax-free shopping, this Southwestern European country sees around 9.6 million tourists every year. With a population of slightly below 82,000, which means there are 117.16 tourists for each resident.
One other European mountainous microstate, San Marino, ranks third. With only 33,581 residents, it attracts 2 million tourists annually.
Known for its medieval architecture and scenic hilltop views, San Marino hosts 59.56 tourists per local.
In fourth place is the Bahamas, a sun-soaked Caribbean paradise. Although home to only over 400,000 people, the island nation welcomes greater than 11.2 million visitors every year — comparable to 27.96 tourists per resident.
Its crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches remain a significant pull for international travelers.
The tropical Caribbean country, Saint Kitts and Nevis, rounded out the highest five. It has a population of 46,843 and draws in 875,085 visitors annually. The twin-island nation sees 18.68 tourists per resident. Its lush scenery and tranquil beaches have made it a star favorite — most famously with Princess Diana.
These findings highlight the growing impact of tourism not only on infrastructure, but in addition on local communities.
While scenic and culturally wealthy destinations remain irresistible to global travelers, the figures reveal the necessity for sustainable tourism strategies to preserve these special places for generations to return.
The highest 15 most overcrowded travel destinations:
1. Vatican City
Local population: 882
Tourists per 12 months: 6,800,000
2. Andorra
Local population: 81,938
Tourists per 12 months: 9,600,000
3. San Marino
Local population: 33,581
Tourists per 12 months: 2,000,000
4. Bahamas
Local population: 401,283
Tourists per 12 months: 11,220,000
5. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Local population: 46,843
Tourists per 12 months: 875,085
6. Antigua and Barbuda
Local population: 93,772
Tourists per 12 months: 1,154,236
7. Bahrain
Local population: 1,607,049
Tourists per 12 months: 14,900,000
8. Monaco
Local population: 38,956
Tourists per 12 months: 340,000
9. Malta
Local population: 563,443
Tourists per 12 months: 3,563,618
10. Hong Kong
Local population: 7,414,909
Tourists per 12 months: 44,500,000
11. Iceland
Local population: 393,396
Tourists per 12 months: 2,287,341
12. Croatia
Local population: 3,875,325
Tourists per 12 months: 21,300,000
13. Barbados
Local population: 282,467
Tourists per 12 months: 1,520,740
14. Switzerland
Local population: 8,921,981
Tourists per 12 months: 42,800,000
15. Grenada
Local population: 117,081
Tourists per 12 months: 504,000
Birds of a feather flock together.
Since most individuals travel throughout the summer season, among the world’s most beautiful destinations are also its most overcrowded.
A latest rating by Go2Africa has revealed the highest 15 most overcrowded tourist destinations on this planet — where the number of tourists dramatically outweighs the local population.
It highlights a growing global trend: picturesque destinations are feeling the strain of overtourism.
As travel rebounds worldwide, congestion of tourists raises questions on sustainability, local impact and the fragile balance between welcome and overwhelm.
To determine which countries made this list, Go2Africa compared each country’s total number of tourists per 12 months to its population data by analyzing tourism figures from national tourist boards and reports.
Their findings revealed that Vatican City — the world’s smallest country by each area and population — tops the list. Despite the population of this sovereign city-state inside Rome, Italy being only 882 residents, the spiritual heart of Catholicism welcomes an astounding 6.8 million tourists annually.
That equates to a staggering 7,709.75 visitors for each local — a transparent reflection of the city-state’s immense religious and historical draw.
Nestled within the Pyrenees between France and Spain, the mountainous principality of Andorra takes second place.
Best known for its ski resorts and tax-free shopping, this Southwestern European country sees around 9.6 million tourists every year. With a population of slightly below 82,000, which means there are 117.16 tourists for each resident.
One other European mountainous microstate, San Marino, ranks third. With only 33,581 residents, it attracts 2 million tourists annually.
Known for its medieval architecture and scenic hilltop views, San Marino hosts 59.56 tourists per local.
In fourth place is the Bahamas, a sun-soaked Caribbean paradise. Although home to only over 400,000 people, the island nation welcomes greater than 11.2 million visitors every year — comparable to 27.96 tourists per resident.
Its crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches remain a significant pull for international travelers.
The tropical Caribbean country, Saint Kitts and Nevis, rounded out the highest five. It has a population of 46,843 and draws in 875,085 visitors annually. The twin-island nation sees 18.68 tourists per resident. Its lush scenery and tranquil beaches have made it a star favorite — most famously with Princess Diana.
These findings highlight the growing impact of tourism not only on infrastructure, but in addition on local communities.
While scenic and culturally wealthy destinations remain irresistible to global travelers, the figures reveal the necessity for sustainable tourism strategies to preserve these special places for generations to return.
The highest 15 most overcrowded travel destinations:
1. Vatican City
Local population: 882
Tourists per 12 months: 6,800,000
2. Andorra
Local population: 81,938
Tourists per 12 months: 9,600,000
3. San Marino
Local population: 33,581
Tourists per 12 months: 2,000,000
4. Bahamas
Local population: 401,283
Tourists per 12 months: 11,220,000
5. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Local population: 46,843
Tourists per 12 months: 875,085
6. Antigua and Barbuda
Local population: 93,772
Tourists per 12 months: 1,154,236
7. Bahrain
Local population: 1,607,049
Tourists per 12 months: 14,900,000
8. Monaco
Local population: 38,956
Tourists per 12 months: 340,000
9. Malta
Local population: 563,443
Tourists per 12 months: 3,563,618
10. Hong Kong
Local population: 7,414,909
Tourists per 12 months: 44,500,000
11. Iceland
Local population: 393,396
Tourists per 12 months: 2,287,341
12. Croatia
Local population: 3,875,325
Tourists per 12 months: 21,300,000
13. Barbados
Local population: 282,467
Tourists per 12 months: 1,520,740
14. Switzerland
Local population: 8,921,981
Tourists per 12 months: 42,800,000
15. Grenada
Local population: 117,081
Tourists per 12 months: 504,000
