The COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of many trips. People stayed at home for months with the hope of being able to travel and explore once again. And when they got a chance to do so, they went all out - giving birth to the trend of Revenge Tourism.
The term "revenge travel" started gaining popularity on social media in 2021. While it meant several things, including an ultra-exotic vacation and staying at a wellness center, ultimately, it was about payback and taking that trip that was lost due to the global pandemic.
It soon became a trend, with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting a hike in its daily checkpoint numbers. Airports worldwide also reported an increase in visitors.
But who knew it would gain so much popularity that it would be a massive cause of overtourism?
2024’s travel chaos was just the beginning! You must have seen how different tourist hotspots came with new rules in order to get rid of tourists. Here is how revenge tourism has shaken the tourism industry.

Tourist Tax In Bali

In Bali, which is struggling with overtourism, officials are considering introducing a daily tourist tax. According to reports, it is projected to be one of the highest in the world and follows a model which is very similar to Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee.

Switzerland Chokes!

Switzerland has also come up with multiple ways to cope with overtourism. One of its most iconic spots, the Alpine Lake, has limited tourist access. Switzerland's tourism agency recently said that it has been trying to even out the flow of holidaymakers throughout the year to protect the Alpine country from the risks of excessive tourism. While tourism happens to be a significant economic driver for Switzerland, there are multiple downsides to it. With this step, and multiple others, it seems like Switzerland is keen on managing the influx of tourists.

Spain's Tourist Ban

While Spain is not imposing a complete tourist ban - some of the cities have started regulating short-term holiday rentals. Starting in January 2025, a new law will freeze the registration of new short-term rentals for three years in 43 districts where these rentals make up more than 8% of residential properties.

Italy's New Rules

The authorities in Florence have asked the owners of holiday rental properties to remove self-check-in keyboxes by February 25. This comes in as the rental services like Airbnb massively rely on these keyboxes to streamline the check-in process.