This summer has seen several popular destinations, including Barcelona and Venice, abundant with anti-tourism protests.

The number of travellers jetting off to the holiday hotspots has been rising over the years, with holidaymakers filling the streets and overcrowding historical sites and attractions.

Meanwhile, other countries have been quietly flying under the radar, attracting a more sustainable number of visitors.

But there's some that have seen a huge boost in recent years and now risk being the next country to face the detrimental impacts of overtourism.

Tucked away in the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island that has been drawing in millions.

Since 2019, the 122 square-mile country has seen a 29.5% surge in foreign visitors, with 3.2million flocking over each year, according to The Telegraph.

The publication's Juliet Rix said: 'On recent visits, I've found Valletta uncomfortably full for the first time.

'The Maltese have always welcomed tourists and will probably continue to do so for the moment, but there is indeed now a risk of overtourism and all that that implies.'

Tucked away in the Mediterranean, Malta is a small island that has been drawing in millions

Since 2019, the 122 square-mile country has seen a 29.5% surge in foreign visitors, with 3.2million flocking over each year

The small shore is having to balance around 29,213 tourists per square mile, all hoping to explore its stunning architecture, medieval cities and ancient temples.

Meanwhile, there's one European destination that seems to be struggling to gain traction again since Covid.

Ireland, which draws millions of tourists in with its fresh Guinness, hearty food and beautiful landscapes, is performing the worst out of all European countries.

Back in 2019, 11 million tourists visited the Emerald Isle, but since the pandemic it has been struggling to return to such high numbers.

Just 6.3 million holidayed there in 2023, and in 2024 there was a slight increase to 6.6 million.

Experts are blaming the numbers on the destination's pricey reputation and the rise in other, more cost-effective, spots.

Travel writer Nicola Brady told The Telegraph: 'Ireland has long had a reputation as an expensive country, and when pennies are being pinched in holidaymakers' pockets, cheaper destinations are likely to win out.'

Elsewhere, Albania is an upcoming hotspot that is at risk of attracting too many visitors, likely due to the fact it's increasingly being dubbed 'the Maldives of Europe'.

Ireland, which draws millions of tourists in with its fresh Guinness, hearty food and beautiful landscapes, is performing the worst out of all European countries

Experts are blaming the numbers on the destination's pricey reputation and the rise in other, more cost-effective spots

In 2024, 11.3 million tourists jetted off to the Balkan country, which was a huge increase of 84.3% from 2019.

Meanwhile, outside of Europe, Japan is also facing overtourism issues and measures are already in place to manage them.

Around 37 million people visited the Asian hotspot in 2024, which was a 47.1% increase from the year before.

To tackle the surge in foreign visitors, there could be more number caps on tourist sites, as well as travellers paying more when dining out and for attractions, and higher tourist taxes.

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