Trashy Tourism: Top 10 Filthiest Hotspots to Avoid

Searches for “last minute holiday” are peaking this week, as Brits make the most of the end of summer.

Travel companies are offering a lot of late summer deals. While some places might sound appealing and appear on many bucket lists, in reality they’re literally surrounded by rubbish. To help tourists make more informed decisions, experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk run through the top 5 dirtiest hotspots in the world.

The Taj Mahal is one of the most shockingly trashed monuments in the world. Tonnes of plastic and packaging waste surround it (but they rarely make the photos). Climate activist Licypriya Kangujam says: “I found plastic waste including food wrappers and bottles inside the fountain and gardens of Taj Mahal. The area around the monument was littered with single-use plastics.”

Tourist litter isn’t the only problem at the Taj Mahal. The air pollution in Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, has particulate matter levels often exceeding the WHO’s safe limits. This significantly impacts the monument’s preservation.

Venice is another gorgeous and unique place, completely trashed by its 20 million visitors every year. Bins are constantly overflowing while rubbish inundates the sides of the main streets and the smaller canals, which often attract rats. Water pollution is also a big issue – the canals have historically contained high levels of nitrates and phosphates. A reduction occurred with fewer tourists during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting visitors have a high impact.

In Phuket, waste management is a pressing issue. The island generates roughly 250 to 300 tonnes of waste per day during peak tourist season. Much of this is plastic waste from beaches and tourist activities, which often ends up in the ocean. This affects marine life and water quality. However, visiting during the monsoon season from May to October could mean fewer tourists and a lesser environmental footprint.

The Egyptian Pyramids have also received many complaints from tourists due to the amount of rubbish and litter around the area. The litter affects the aesthetic and historical integrity of the site and contributes to broader environmental issues in the Giza plateau area. One tourist on TripAdvisor comments: “Unfortunately while the pyramids were over the moon the surrounding area is filled with garbage, plastic bags swirling in the sand and just trash in general. The reason is rather simple…everyone litters.”

Before its temporary closure in 2018, Boracay was generating upwards of 115 tonnes of garbage per day, much of which wasn’t properly managed. Since reopening, efforts have been intensified to control waste, but challenges remain during peak tourist seasons. Touring the island during the off-peak rainy season from June to November helps distribute the tourist load more evenly throughout the year.

Barcelona is a prime example of how tourism can strain local infrastructure. The city generates approximately 1.7 million tonnes of waste annually, with summer months producing twice as much as the rest of the year. Plastic waste and litter are particularly problematic in tourist-frequented areas like beaches and landmarks. One visitor on TripAdvisor says: “Old dirty streets… Be careful, people throw garbage off their balconies onto the street.”

The waste problem at Mount Everest includes an estimated 50 tonnes of rubbish left by climbers on its slopes. These include tents, climbing equipment, and human waste – all of which are frozen and preserved by the cold, impacting the mountain’s ecosystem. Climbing during the official spring and autumn seasons helps, as these times see organised cleanup expeditions.

Bali deals with around 4,000 tonnes of waste daily, with only 60% collected and about 48% ending up in landfills. The rest accumulates in natural environments, particularly around tourist-heavy areas. Visiting Bali during the dry season from April to September might offer a better experience, as less rain means less waste runoff into the ocean.

Image credit: Nyimas Laula, National Geographic (https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/bali-fights-for-its-beautiful-beaches-by-rethinking-waste-plastic-trash)

Santorini faces significant waste management issues, especially during peak tourist seasons when its infrastructure is overwhelmed. The island generates a large amount of solid waste, much of which is processed off the island, increasing environmental and logistical burdens. Travelling in the less busy months of March and November can make it a more enjoyable experience.

Rio’s famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema face chronic issues with rubbish, especially plastic pollution. The city produces about 7,000 tonnes of waste daily, and heavy rain can wash street garbage into the sea, affecting beach quality. Visiting outside of Carnaval season and following major rainfalls can lead to cleaner beach experiences and a smaller tourist footprint.

Image credit: https://rioonwatch.org/?p=14068

Reduce waste on your next holiday with our expert tips and guides:

• Learn how to have a low waste flight
• Find out how to reduce hotel waste
• Explore ways to manage airport waste