20 Wonders Of The World That Have Been Ruined By Tourism

1. The Taj Mahal

Image source: reddit

The Taj Mahal in India is one of the most renowned wonders of the world , and one of the visited tourist attraction year after year. But, tourists are steadily ruining the hospital site and the vast amount of footfall is causing concerning overcrowding and pollution. The huge number of tourists also means that the number of people who deface the Taj Mahal increases and vandalism and graffiti have become huge problems.

2. The Great Wall of China

Image source: reddit

The Great Wall of China truly has stood the test of time, managing to survive centuries, but in modern times it is facing bigger threats than ever, due to the huge numbers of tourists who go to see the wonder of the world. In fact, tourism is causing more damage every single day to the wall than what naturally happened over decades due to people avoiding the wall, and due to people trying to take parts of the wall.

3. Machu Picchu

Image source: reddit

Machu Picchu in Peru is another one of the works. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and as the years go by, more and more tourists go to visit. Overcrowding and constant footfall erodes and damages the structure which is causing it to erode. Tourism is steadily ruining Machu Picchu despite it being a protected site. UNESCO is currently trying to find a way to decrease the damage.

4. The Roman Colosseum

Image source: reddit

The Roman Colosseum has for some time been one of the most visited tourist attractions ever. It is an ancient amphitheater from Roman times, located in Rome the capital city of Italy. But this ancient structure has been standing for 2000 years and now faces its greatest threat which is tourism. Illegal looting and excavations also happen here with people desperately trying to take important pieces of history.

5. The Parthenon

Image source: reddit

The Parthenon is an ancient Greek structure, It is a temple that has been around for 2,400 years, in the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. When there are SO many visitors at the site, even things like touching the temples over time become damaging and it wears away at the structure, as it does with people constantly walking over the marble floor. And, there are people who try and carve their name in one of the most important historical structures ever.

6. The Great Barrier Reef

Image source: reddit

The damage that has been done to the Great Barrier Reef is unfathomable. The constant flow of tourism to the Great Barrier Reef contributes (on top of climate change) to the destruction of the natural reef. Visitors physically damage it by touching it, Coral bleaching happens when chemicals or sunscreen damage the reef. So many elements contribute, but tourism truly is ruining The Great Barrier Reef.

7. Angkor Wat

Image source: reddit

Angkor Wat is located in Cambodia. It is a temple complex and is site of huge historical interest and value which explains why it is one of the most visited sites in the world. But because it had become a tourist hotspot, the surrounding areas are developing into hotels and restaurants which are taking away from the conservation of the temple and it is starting to ruin the historical site.

8. The Galapagos Islands

Image source: reddit

The Galapagos Islands are located off the shore of Ecuador. They are famous for their stunning beauty and for the fact that they are hugely biodiverse. It is largely considered one of the most beautiful places due to the range of unique nature and wildlife found here. But tourism is ruining it, and the introduction of invasive species is killing its natural balance. And litter isn't only an eye sore, but it is damaging the natural world here.

9. The Egyptian Sphinx

Image source: reddit

The Egyptian Sphinx is another wonder of the world, an ancient historical site that is being ruined by tourism. Tourists flock to see the Egyptian Sphinx and whilst many tourists are respectful, some have been known to touch and even CLIMB on it. Despite huge efforts being made to preserve it, the sphynx is slowly being ruined because there are too many tourists going to see it.

10. Cozumel

Image source: reddit

Cozumel is an island of exquisite natural beauty, it is found just off the eastern coast of Mexico in the Yucatan Peninsula. The island has some of the best beaches and people visit to see the coral reefs and crystal-clear water. But all of this is being ruined at a fast pace due to tourism. Not only is there physical damage, but the traditional elements of the island and its cultural heritage are being ruined by modern influence.

11. Stonehenge

Image source: reddit

Stonehenge (built between 3000 BCE to 15000 BCE) is one of the wonders of the world due to its archaeological importance. The constant flow of visitors leaves its mark in the form of huge amounts of litter and people defacing the ancient stones by trying to carve their names into them. Now when you go to Stonehenge you may find the site completely overcrowded with lots of debris and litter discarded nearby.

12. Ngorongoro Crater

Image source: reddit

Ngorongoro is one of the wonders of the world. It is an unbroken caldera that was formed millions of years ago from the collapse of a volcano. And so it's a site of natural wonder and huge geological interest. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the site is largely protected. But with millions of tourists coming to see it each year, it is leading to its ruin.

13. Masai Mara

Image source: reddit

The Masai Mara is one of the most famous wildlife reserves in the world. It can be found in southwest Kenya. It has a massive array of wildlife and it is one of nature's spectacles. Yet tourists are ruining it. A lack of respect for the natural wildlife and nature means that litter, pollution, and just hordes of people are all disrupting the natural balance of the area.

14. Teotihuacan

Image source: reddit

The ancient city of Teotihuacan used to be one of the most powerful and important cities of the ancient world, between 1000-7000 CE. Naturally, people want to visit the site for its astounding historical value, pyramids, and amazing architecture. Yet when millions of people come to see it, they are not all respectful of the wonder of the world. In fact, theft has become a problem with people stealing ancient artifacts.

15. Jaisalmer

Image source: reddit

Jaismar is also known as the Golden City due to the architecture which is created from golden sandstone. It is located in India. It has forts and palaces and the designs of the city are intricate and ornate. But, now the UNESCO site is overshadowed by the masses of people leaving garbage surrounding the area which was once beautiful but tourism is now ruining it.

16. The Great Pyramids

Image source: reddit

You can understand why people want to see the Great Pyramids of Egypt. They are one of the wonders of the world and one of the most amazing sites of historical importance ever. One of the reasons that the Pyramids are so impressive is how well they have stood the test of time. Yet now, the experience can be ruined by crowds of people obscuring the view and huge levels of garbage dumped in such a precious space.

17. Cano Cristales

Image source: reddit

The Cano Cristales, or the River of Five Colors as it is regularly referred to, is a river in Colombia and a natural wonder. The rivers appear to run all different kinds of colors and it has become a place of astounding beauty. But, like many other bodies of water, it is struggling with masses of waste. Even as a wonder of the world, people dump waste into the river which is killing marine life and destroying nature.

18. Antarctica

Image source: reddit

Antarctica is one of the places in particular which is being affected by climate change, and also too many tourists. It's such an extreme environment that naturally, only a few forms of life would come here. Now travel is widely available, the huge number of tourists coming to Antarctica is disturbing the very fragile environment and ecosystem here.

19. Maya Beach in Thailand

Image source: reddit

Some of the beaches in Thailand, and the island of Phi Phi, have become the most popular beaches in the world. Part of this is because these beaches have been used in films. Maya Beach in Thailand was the location of the film, 'The Beach'. Now, due to tourism, the exotic and beautiful island is nothing like it once was. It is now packed full of tourists and the natural beauty is being destroyed.

20. The island of Boracay

Image source: reddit

The Island of Boracay can be found in the Philippines. It is perfectly understandable why it has become one of the most sought-after vacation destinations with its white sandy beach and clear blue waters. Yet the amount of tourism here is becoming a great concern. In 2018 it had to be closed for several months due to people destroying the beach with pollution and water.

21. Venice

Image source: reddit

Venice is sometimes referred to as a floating city. It's one of the most unique cities in the entire world, and not only this but the fact that it is sinking has made even more tourists pour in as they want to see it before it is ruined. But the influx of tourists constantly has taken a huge toll. The canals have become clogged with waste and they are severely polluted and the city has been known to smell due to the huge pollution levels.

22. Raja Ampat Islands

Image source: reddit

The Raja Islands are an archipelago in Indonesia. It is one of the most naturally diverse places ever, with around 600 kinds of coral and 1,500 species of fish. Although you can only imagine the toll that tourism has had on the ecosystem here. It is suffering and stands the risk of being completely ruined if it continues to be flooded with tourists as the islands cannot stand the load.

23. Bhutan

Image source: reddit

Bhutan is an amazing country in the Eastern Himalayas and it has been ranked as one of the most peaceful and happiest places on earth. Yet this is suffering massively now due to tourism which is having a huge impact on the infrastructure of the country which cannot take the masses of tourists. This has tried to be controlled and people have to obtain a daily visa to enter which costs around $400.

24. The Isle of Skye

Image source: reddit

The Isle of Skye is an island that is just off the west coast of Scotland. It's largely considered a natural beauty and it has always been a very rural area without much development, and (once) without many people which allowed it to retain its beauty and keep its hidden gems of lochs, waterfalls, and beaches all intact. Until the tourists flooded in and now it risks losing it due to developers and masses of people.

25. Pig Beach

Image source: reddit

The appeal of swimming with wild pigs at pig beach is massive and it is no wonder that people want to travel the world to see it. Yet now, it has become seen as a trendy destination, a good photo opportunity, and the number of people using it as this, rather than respecting the place is overwhelming. In fact, wild pigs have been dying frequently due to the overwhelming tourism happening here.

26. Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Image source: reddit

Fjadrargljufur Canyon is a wonder of the world and a truly spectacular natural phenomenon. But it risks being ruined by tourists. It has been facing more and more challenges due to the rise in tourism and at times it has to be fully closed to try and protect it. Not only are there just too many people here, but there are tourists who are irresponsible and damage the fragile natural infrastructure.

27. Cinque Terre

Image source: reddit

Cinque Terre is a picture postcard coastal town in Italy with its iconic brightly colored houses. Because of its amazing structure, it has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. And while this protects it, it cannot stop the hordes of tourists who come throughout the year. While many enjoy and are respectful, some abuse the place and it risks being completely ruined by tourism.

28. Mallorca

Image source: reddit

Mallorca (or Majorca) is a Mediterranean Island that has for many years become a firm favorite as a holiday destination amongst millions of people. It has everything to offer, yet each year number of tourists rises and one place can only cope with so many people before it ruins under the stress of cars, footfall, pollution, waste, and general damage.

29. Komodo Island

Image source: reddit

Komodo Island is located east of Indonesia. One of the main reasons it has become SO famous is because it is the home of the Komodo Dragon. It is one of the only places on earth that the Komodo dragon naturally resists. Yet despite being a protected area and a protected create, there are illegal rings that capture and sell dragons and even tourists who come and try and steal the eggs, and the Komodo dragon, which is already endangered, has become even more at risk.

30. Mount Everest

Image source: reddit

You may think that one place safe from too many tourists or too much waste is Mount Everest. But that would be entirely incorrect, and tourism levels rise and more and more people climb Everest than ever before. Due to the lengthy time that people stay here, waste has actually become a massive problem here and tour guides have found themselves having to clear up for days after tourists to try and shift the waste.