Forget Spain. These under-the-radar countries actually want you to visit.

Tue, 07/23/2024 - 12:27

Left: A lighthouse on the edge of Llanddwyn Island with the Mountains of The Lleyn Peninsula in the background. Right: African landscape with palm trees on the river bank — Wales and Kenya are trying to attract more visitors.
Alan Novelli/Getty Images, Anton Petrus/Getty Images

Overtourism in destinations like Barcelona negatively impacts the quality of life for locals.
Travelers can alleviate stress on overwhelmed hot spots by visiting lesser-known destinations.
Countries like Kenya, Taiwan, and Wales are actively seeking more tourists to boost their economies.

From protesters in Barcelona to large cruise ship bans and visitor taxes in Venice, the world's hottest destinations are making it clear that overtourism negatively impacts the quality of life for locals.

These cities simply don't have enough space and resources to accommodate millions of visitors. As a result, living costs increase, and residents deal with swarms of tourists in the streets just to get to work or run errands.

Massive crowds also make these destinations less enjoyable for travelers.

Tourists can instead opt for lesser-known destinations that actively seek to attract more visitors, which can help create jobs and boost local economies.

Taiwan is giving tourists spending money to entice more visitors.

Beautifully decorated teahouses at the touristy mountain town of Juifen in Taiwan. — Tea houses in Taiwan.
Zeno Wai/Getty Images

According to data from the National Statistics of the Republic of China (Taiwan) updated in 2023, Taiwan's tourism industry has yet to bounce back from pre-pandemic levels. CNN reported that the government hopes to see 10 million visitors by 2025 to increase revenue.

One initiative in place since May 1, 2023, is a lottery for spending money while traveling in Taiwan. Between now and June 30, 2025, 500,000 tourists who enter the lottery will receive $165, and 90,000 tour groups will receive $658, according to the program's website.

Kenya hopes to boost tourism with visa-free entry.

African landscape with palm trees on the river bank — Samburu National Reserve in Kenya.
Anton Petrus/Getty Images

Kenya's economy relies on tourism revenue and is still working to recover from the pandemic. BI previously reported that the country hopes to attract 10 million tourists in the next five years.

On January 8, BI reported that the country has a new visa-free entry system for citizens of 51 countries in an effort to double annual international tourists.

Timor-Leste is one of the least-visited countries in the world.

View of the beach ext to green mountains around Fatucama Cristo Rei Dili inTimor Leste — Cape Fatucama in Timor-Leste.
Getty Images

CEOWorld magazine reported in January that Timor-Leste — a country in the South Pacific that comprises the eastern part of Timor Island, the Oecusse enclave, and two other small islands — is the least-visited country in Asia and the 14th least-visited country in the world.

Timor-Leste gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 and became the first new country of the 2000s, according to the official Timor-Leste tourism and travel guide.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the nation has been developing its tourism sector to boost its economy since then.

BI's Marielle Descalsota recently traveled to Timor-Leste. Although she found limited tourism information online, Descalsota reported seeing some of Asia's most scenic views on the island's mountainous coastline with ocean waters clearer than those in the Maldives during the trip.

Cambodia wants to be seen as an alternative to hot spots like Thailand.

A city with trees, buildings, and a waterfront at dawn on a clear day — Phnom Penh, a city in Cambodia.
Craig Hastings/Getty Images

In the shadows of nearby hot spots like Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is trying to compete for more tourists to boost its economy, Khmer Times reported. The country is implementing several strategies to attract more visitors, including the opening of Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in October 2023.

When it comes to accommodation, Cambodia is upgrading its high-end resorts to cater to business travelers, increasing eco-tourism offerings, and developing budget stays. The country is also working to upgrade its beaches, national parks, and shopping and dining scenes.

BI reported in June that Cambodia is more affordable to visit than Thailand and Vietnam and offers more under-the-radar experiences, from temples to small islands off the coasts of cities.

Wales hopes to attract more visitors with a virtual preview of the island.

A lighthouse on the edge of Llanddwyn Island with the Mountains of The Lleyn Peninsula in the background — Llanddwyn Island in Wales.
Alan Novelli/Getty Images

According to a July 19 statement from the Government of Wales, the UK destination wants to see more tourists, with 892,000 international patrons in 2023.

The country recently launched a unique initiative to attract more visitors — Wales in the Metaverse.

The BBC reported in May that people can now walk around Wales using a virtual-reality headset. The Wales Metaverse may feel like a video game, as users can accomplish quests like collecting dragons hidden around the digital version of the country. Still, it's also meant to show visitors all the destination has to offer.

In a world where overtourism is ruining hot destinations, globetrotters can help lesser-known spots get on the map.

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Forget Spain. These under-the-radar countries actually want you to visit.