Will putting fences around cultural landmarks limit over-tourism?

As record numbers of people go on holidays post-pandemic, putting strain on resources, facilities and local communities, some countries are introducing measures to curb the affect tourists are having on cultural landmarks.

This comes as the travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1 per cent to global gross domestic product in 2023, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels and 2024 is expected to break all records, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Here is a look at how four countries - including Australia - are responding to over-tourism.

Following the closure of Uluru in Northern Territory for tourist climbs in October 2019 visitors to Uluru-Kata Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park slumped from 370,408 in 2018 to 127,981 in 2021, according to Parks Australia.

Tourism NT executive director marketing, Tony Quarmby, said the territory is a leader in the promotion of cultures and cultural tourism and works closely with the joint managers of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park - Parks Australia - as well as the Uluru-Kata Tjuta board of management, and the local Anangu Traditional Owners, to manage tourists.

"Together, we promote initiatives that encourage a deeper cultural understanding and respect," Mr Quarmby said.

"Visitors are encouraged to connect with the land, through both non-guided and guided experiences, with Traditional Owners, where they learn firsthand about the sacred significance of Uluru and how to engage with the site responsibility."

He said they educate travellers about sustainable tourism practises, including minimising environmental impact and respecting cultural protocol. They also promote off-peak travel.

"To assist in preventing over tourism across the entire Northern Territory we work with our stakeholders to manage peak season numbers and promote travel during the shoulder and summer season (traditionally October through to April), offering a more intimate and authentic experience while reducing strain on the environment," Mr Quarmby said.

Parks Australia says greeting Anangu with the friendly greeting 'palya' - a word that can also mean welcome, thank you, understood, ok and goodbye - while in the park is a simple way to show respect for the local culture. They also advise staying on marked tracks and paths, and ask visitors not to climb onto rock formations or boulders, to ensure they are not entering any sacred areas.

The Australian travel industry is experiencing record-breaking growth and is expected to inject $265 billion into the Australian economy in 2024, representing about 10 per cent of the country's GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.

New Zealand has hiked its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) from $32 to $91 to ensure visitors contribute more to the economy, including public services and tourism experiences.

NZ minister for tourism and hospitality, Matt Doocey, said: "Increasing the IVL means we can continue to grow international tourism to support economic growth while ensuring international visitors contribute to high-value conservation areas and projects, such as supporting biodiversity in national parks and other highly visited areas and improving visitor experiences on public conservation land."

The higher IVL fee was introduced on October 1, 2024.

Indonesia plans to set a moratorium on the construction of new hotels in some parts of Bali, Hermin Esti, a senior official at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime and Investment Affairs, told Reuters in September.

The moratorium was suggested in busy areas of Bali in a bid to curb over-development of hotels, villas, and beach clubs, Reuters said, all of which attract tourists.

Indonesia was the top travel destination country for Australian residents in 2023-24 with 1.5 million trips, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In August 2024, foreign tourist visits in Indonesia reached 1.34 million, representing a 2.23 per cent increase compared to July 2024, according to Statistics Indonesia.

Australians visited at the second highest rate, making up 11.47 per cent of visitors to Indonesia, behind Malaysia and followed by China.

Residents in the small town of Fujikawaguchiko had enough of tourists gathering outside a local Lawson convenience store to take photos of Mount Fuji.

Lawson stores are common around Japan and tourists had been flocking to take photos of Mount Fuji rising up behind the Lawson Kawaguchiko store.

Locals said tourists were blocking the road, and littering.

In mid-2024, Japanese authorities erected a physical barrier on top of the Lawson store to block the view, in the hopes it would stop tourists flocking to the area.

In another Japanese example, also in 2024, authorities imposed a hiking fee of $27 and declared only 4000 climbers would be allowed on the Yoshida Trail on Mount Fuji at any one time, in a bid to curb over-tourism on the mountain. There had been concern about tourist safety.

According to Japan National Tourism Organization, the estimated number of international travellers to Japan in July 2024 was 3,292,500, 10.1 per cent higher than 2019, marking the highest number of tourists ever recorded in the country.