Colorado’s tourism industry hit new highs in 2025, setting records for visitor numbers, spending and overall economic impact statewide. That’s good news for hotels, restaurants and other tourism-dependent businesses. For residents and would-be sightseers, though, the boom can also mean crowded trailheads, long lines and a less relaxed experience in the places people came to enjoy.

Colorado is hardly alone. In recent years, communities across the U.S. and around the world have been overwhelmed with overtourism, a term used to describe the strain large numbers of visitors can put on a destination’s infrastructure, environment and day-to-day life.

Crowds in Hallstatt, Austria, a village of about 800 residents.

PEAK PRESSURE

Last year, an estimated 1.5 billion people traveled globally by road, sea and air in search of a  break from routine. The irony is that a destination’s popularity can start to chip away at the very qualities that made it appealing in the first place.

Some communities have responded with public protests. In Hallstatt, an Austrian village of about 800 residents, locals staged a blockade at the main entrance to town. In Venice, Italy, residents hung protest flags from their homes. In Barcelona, Spain, people sprayed visitors with water guns. 

The United Nations World Tourism Organization has described overtourism as a situation in which residents or visitors feel tourism has harmed quality of life to an unacceptable degree. This can look like packed historic sites and scenic overlooks, disruptive noise, traffic congestion and the replacement of local shops by stores catering to the preferences of tourists. 

THE PRICE OF PARADISE

Tourism also brings real benefits. It creates jobs, generates income for local businesses and supports growth in hospitality, retail and transportation. It encourages cultural exchange as travelers learn about local customs and way of life. In many places, visitor dollars also help protect and preserve heritage sites and landmarks.

The challenge is finding a workable middle ground. Tourist offices and high-demand destinations are increasingly using a mix of tools to spread crowds out and reduce pressure on the most strained sites. 

Venice began charging an entrance fee on certain peak days. New Zealand imposed a special charge to be paid by visitors. Officials have tried physical barriers in a few highly photographed locations near Japan’s Mount Fuji and in the Austrian Alps to limit bottlenecks and keep people from spilling into unsafe or restricted areas.

Colorado has its own cautionary tale. Hanging Lake, the small but world-famous destination in Glenwood Canyon, became so popular that managers moved to a reservation-based system designed to limit use and protect the area. 

The Greek island of Santorini has capped the number of people who may arrive each day by cruise ship. It has also prioritized passenger vessels it considers more environmentally friendly.

These efforts seek to achieve a favorable balance between the financial, cultural and other benefits of tourism, and negative impacts that too much of a good thing can bring.

For travelers, choosing destinations that are actively managing their crowds can come with an added benefit: the sense that your trip is supporting a healthier approach to tourism while still delivering the fun you came for. 

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