Hold it right there – don’t press the ‘pay now’ button for that 2025 getaway just yet.
Not until you’ve read the 2025 Fodor’s Travel ‘Go and No Lists’, which reveal the places you should avoid next year – and 25 ‘incredible’ destinations worldwide you should consider visiting instead.
The no list comprises ‘highly coveted tourist spots [that] are collapsing under the burden of their own prominence’ and face issues including overcrowding and environmental stress.
Destinations on this list include a paradise island that’s become a ‘plastic apocalypse’, a driving route in Scotland and places in Europe where locals don’t want you.
So, avoid them, says Fodor’s Travel, and instead travel to one of the 25 places on the ‘Go’ list.
Fodor’s Travel comments that these destinations are ‘for those seeking incredible experiences that prioritise cultural immersion and sustainable practices’.
Recommendations include five spots in the USA, along with an ‘under-the-radar outdoor stunner’ in Poland, a ‘rugged corner of Provence’ and an ‘oasis’ in New Zealand. Read on for the full lists – will you be heeding the advice?
THE NO LIST
Scotland North Coast 500
Avoid: Scotland’s North Coast 500 route has become ‘too popular’, says Fodor’s Travel
‘What happens when a road trip route becomes too popular, threatening the natural environment and becoming a nuisance to the communities living alongside it?’ says Fodor’s.
‘The residents of Scotland’s most scenic road trip route, known as the North Coast 500 (NC500), know only too well.’
The guide explains: ‘Camping in tents or motorhomes is one of the most popular ways for tourists to experience the NC500, but a shortfall of adequate facilities including campsites, toilets, and designated chemical waste areas is causing issues along the route. “Wild camping” on beaches, in laybys, and even on private property is common, and residents report finding campfire scorch marks, trash, disposable grills, and even human faeces in their wake.’
Bali, Indonesia
Avoid: Overtourism has turned Bali into a ‘plastic apocalypse’
Fodor’s says: ‘Rapid, unchecked development spurred by overtourism is encroaching on Bali’s natural habitats, eroding its environmental and cultural heritage, and creating a “plastic apocalypse”.’
European destinations where the locals don’t want you – Barcelona, Mallorca, Venice, the Canary Islands and Lisbon
Fodor’s notes that tourists in the European hotspots of Barcelona, Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Venice and Lisbon are no longer so welcome.
The guide explains that visitors are arriving in such numbers that they’re ‘clogging neighbourhoods’ and ‘altering the very fabric of society’. How? ‘By raising the cost of living, straining infrastructure and natural resources and homogenising cultures,’ says Fodor’s.
It adds: ‘A good tourism management strategy should make immediate improvements to the lives of locals.’
Koh Samui, Thailand
‘Koh Samui has long suffered from overtourism,’ says Fodor’s, ‘but when the new season of The White Lotus premieres in 2025, many fear for what will become of the island.
‘Experts worry the increased traffic will exacerbate existing problems on the island. There are currently 200,000 tons of waste sitting at a landfill beyond the sightline of tourist sites and luxurious villas, as well as rapid, often unregulated, new development on the mountainside.’
Mount Everest
‘Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha, Chomolungma, or Qomolangma, is a sacred mountain to the Sherpa community, but overtourism is adversely affecting local communities,’ says Fodor’s. ‘It’s also degrading the environment and ruining travellers’ experiences.’
British Virgin Islands
Avoid: Locals aren’t benefitting from tourism in the British Virgin Islands, says Fodor’s
‘The emphasis on cruise tourism is keeping tourist dollars out of residents’ hands,’ writes Fodor’s, ‘and the 13-year wait for a comprehensive tourism plan has left locals sceptical that improvements in development and infrastructure are on the horizon.’
Agrigento, Sicily
Fodor’s says: ‘The city is preparing to be the Italian Capital of Culture in 2025, which will likely mean an increase in the number of visitors. However, the area is facing a severe water crisis that could be further aggravated by increased tourism, and could irrevocably harm its most precious cultural treasures and punish its permanent residents.’
Kerala, India
Avoid: Tourism in Kerala is making the impact of natural disasters worse, says Fodor’s
There’s been a surge in tourism in coastal Kerala that’s ‘exacerbated the impact of natural disasters’, says Fodor’s, explaining that in some areas ‘development has obstructed natural water flows and increased landslide risks’.
What’s more, ‘development is largely unregulated, unsustainable, and harmful to communities and ecosystems’.
Oaxaca City, Mexico
Oaxacans are complaining, says Fodor’s, that their ‘culture and customs are being commercialised’ by overtourism, with ‘large wealth gaps and environmental degradation’ the result.
Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan
Avoid: Parts of Tokyo and Kyoto (above) are ‘overwhelmed by crowds’
Tokyo and Kyoto are overrun with tourists, with Fodor’s pointing out that the term ‘tourism pollution’ has now emerged in Japanese media.
One of the major issues it has caused is a rise in domestic travel prices, as tourists stay in business hotels that then hike their prices.
What’s more, says Fodor’s, at some Kyoto ‘must-sees’ such as Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, and Fushimi Inari, it’s not possible to ‘walk comfortably’ as they’re ‘overwhelmed by crowds’.
THE GO LIST
USA
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
‘A land of unparalleled beauty.’
Houston, Texas
Go: Houston has ‘cosy eateries’ and plenty to entice outdoor enthusiasts
Houston is home to ‘one of [America’s] nation’s largest concentrations of cultural institutions’, has ‘cosy, local eateries’ and outdoor enthusiasts ‘can hike and bike the trails of Buffalo Bayou Park’
Las Vegas, Nevada
‘Bet on this classic destination – with something for divas, daredevils, and everyone in between.’
Los Olivos, California
‘SoCal meets cowboy chic right outside Santa Barbara.’
Michigan’s Beach Towns, Michigan
‘Beach bliss along Michigan’s coast includes winery hopping and lighthouse visits by the country’s largest freshwater lake.’
AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
Hermanus, South Africa
Go: Hermanus in South Africa is a must-visit for whale watchers
‘A seaside destination with the best land-based whale watching in the world.’
Kigali, Rwanda
‘In Rwanda’s capital city, culture, history, and modernity merge within reach of natural wonders.’
Petra, Jordan
‘Jordan’s current tourism slump means the usually jam-packed Unesco Heritage Site – is all yours.’
Siwa Oasis, Egypt
‘A timeless desert escape in the majestic dunes of Egypt’s Great Sand Sea.’
ASIA
Koh Ker, Cambodia
‘A remote Cambodian archaeological site that was founded by a rebellious royal.’
Meghalaya, India
‘A crisp, pine-scented hill state where lovers of the outdoors… will be in their element.’
Nikko, Japan
‘As Tokyo and Kyoto grow more crowded with tourists each year, a stay in Nikko, beloved for its spectacular natural beauty… is just the ticket for a peaceful journey in Japan.’
AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC
The Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia
Go: The Marquesas Islands are ‘captivating’ – put them on your bucket list
‘These remote Pacific islands have captivated travellers for centuries.’
Wellington, New Zealand
‘New Zealand’s capital city is an oasis surrounded by mountains, sandy beaches, and a seaside harbour.’
EUROPE
Camargue, France
‘A rugged corner of Provence complete with wild bulls and cowboys.’
Helsinki, Finland
‘The world’s happiest city is also a vibrant cultural hub.’
Meteora, Greece
Go: Meteora in Greece is one of several European spots Fodor’s recommends for 2025
‘A million-year-old natural wonder where heaven meets earth.’
Masurian Lake District, Poland
‘An under-the-radar outdoor stunner.’
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
‘A sanctuary of puffins and stunning cliffs.’
MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA
Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
‘Clear blue rivers, mountaintop cloud forests, and subterranean caverns make this a nature lover’s paradise.’
León, Nicaragua
‘Street spirits revolt in the shadows of colonial cathedrals and cinder cone volcanoes.’
Mérida, Mexico
‘A vibrant, creative capital steeped in Mayan culture.’
Veraguas, Panama
‘A lush Panamanian province that offers world-class wildlife tourism opportunities.’
SOUTH AMERICA
Colca Canyon, Peru
‘Often missed for its renowned neighbour, Machu Picchu, this is one of the deepest canyons in the world with soaring condors and Inca terraces.’
Santa Marta, Colombia
‘A Unesco World Heritage Site with a national park that is best reached by boat.’
For more visit www.fodors.com/go-list/2025 and www.fodors.com/news/news/fodors-no-list-2025.
