Dozens of historical sites around the globe are at risk of being closed off to the public due to over tourism, damage and littering that has sparked concern among conservationists. World-famous destinations that have stood for centuries face year-on-year wear and tear that might lead to them being closed off to tourists or lost altogether.
Responsible Travel identified 98 sites in 63 countries, some of which have seen over tourism or damage so severe that officials have closed sites to the public. They include Peru's Machu Picchu, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the so-called mermaid pools in New Zealand.
Great Barrier Reef under threat
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and sustains an ecosystem of some of the most unique species on the planet. A mixture of climate change, oil spills and careless tourists have caused damage to the site.
Environmental consultation organisation Sea Going Green warned: "Careless divers brush against fragile coral branches, swimmers kick fins that break apart delicate structures and boats drop anchors on living colonies that took centuries to grow. Visitors walking on shallow flats cause further destruction, crushing habitats with every step. Unfortunately physical damage is only part of the equation."
Any loss to the Great Barrier Reef would be significant as it has been estimated that between 30 to 50 per cent of coral reefs have been destroyed over the past 10 years.
Lascaux Cave closed since 1963
Between 17,000 to 20,000 years ago, our ancestors painted on the walls of Lascaux Cave in France. The complex of caves was once home to prehistoric humans who painted animals on its walls.
At its height, the site welcomed 1,500 visitors each day. But the impact from their visits affected the humidity and carbon dioxide levels in the cave. It led the site to be permanently closed to tourists in 1963 in a bid to preserve the site. A replica of the cave, named Lascaux IV, was made so tourists could visit without harming the original site.
Angkor Wat and mermaid pools
The ancient temple complex in Cambodia is one of the most famous sites in Asia and attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year. But holidaymakers caused concern among conservationists who filmed themselves recreating moments from the mobile game Temple Run. The stunts have caused damage to the steps and sandstone of the ancient site.
The stunning Te Wai o Te Taniwha mermaid pools in New Zealand were closed after visitors continued to dump their waste and rubbish at the site, which is sacred to the Māori people. Sunscreen, sanitary towels and even urine were found at the site. The failure to respect the site resulted in it being closed off to tourists.
Kris MacDonald, the chairman of the Matapōuri marae, told Stuff: "It's a step we had to take. There is no point in having a beautiful taonga like this if it's going to be killed by too many people."
Machu Picchu and Venice
For centuries, the Incan city of Machu Picchu was lost. The citadel located high in the mountains of Peru is one of the best preserved archaeological sites connected to one of the Americas' great civilisations before the Spanish conquest. Since becoming a major tourist attraction, the site has suffered damage from the high number of visitors who visit each day. In a bid to tackle the damage caused by foot traffic, both UNESCO and the Peruvian government placed a cap of 2,500 visitors. Tourists also sparked outrage in 2020 when CCTV footage allegedly showed a number of tourists defecating in a sacred temple.
The northern Italian city of Venice attracts upward of 30 million visitors each year. Iconic architecture, winding canals and picturesque scenery make it an enviable location that many travellers would have at least considered visiting once in their lives. But high tourist numbers have led locals to increasingly push back against visitors to the city as high foot traffic causes wear and tear to its streets and hundreds of bridges. The issue came to a head last year when locals came out to oppose the city being the location of the opulent wedding of Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.
