Published on
August 17, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Mexico is now part of a growing list of countries feeling the squeeze from overtourism driven by TikTok fame. Alongside Canada, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, Austria, and Spain, it is experiencing a wave of visitors drawn less by traditional travel guides and more by viral videos promising the perfect shot or trending experience. These sudden surges can overwhelm small communities, put pressure on natural environments, and alter the everyday rhythm of local life.
In Mexico, crystal-clear cenotes, bioluminescent beaches, and colourful neighbourhoods have become overnight sensations on social media. While the exposure brings more visitors and boosts local business, it also brings crowding, higher costs, and environmental risks. In Canada, lakes, lighthouses, and mountain views are seeing record numbers, forcing parks and towns to introduce new controls. Japan has gone as far as blocking a world-famous view of Mount Fuji to protect residents from unsafe and disrespectful tourist behaviour. In Indonesia’s Bali, disrespectful antics at sacred sites have led to strict codes of conduct and the threat of deportation. Italy, Austria, and Spain are also tightening rules, limiting access, and, in some cases, charging fees to manage the flood of “just looking” visitors who arrive thanks to a viral clip.
What links these destinations is a shared challenge: balancing the benefits of global attention with the need to protect culture, nature, and community life. As TikTok continues to influence travel patterns in 2025, these countries are learning that going viral can be as much a problem as it is a prize.
Viral Travel Trends Change Tourism
In 2025, TikTok is not just a place for dance videos and recipes. It has become a major driver of tourism. One short clip can make a quiet place famous overnight. This can bring money and jobs. But it can also cause problems like crowding, damage to nature, and unhappy locals. Many countries are now facing these issues. They are trying new ways to protect their towns, landscapes, and culture while still welcoming visitors.
Mexico’s Hidden Spots Lose Their Secrecy
In Mexico, TikTok has turned once-quiet places into busy hotspots. Cenotes in Yucatán and Quintana Roo, like Cenote Azul and Cenote Suytun, now see weekday crowds as big as old peak weekends. These clear-water sinkholes are delicate. Sunscreen, rubbish, and overuse can harm them. Some cenote managers now limit daily visitors, raise entry fees for non-locals, and create “no-phone” swim times to stop filming and let guests enjoy the moment.
Holbox Island is another example. Videos of glowing plankton and seaside swings have brought more visitors than the island’s small systems can handle. Officials are considering ferry quotas and a waste fee to keep the island clean. In Mexico City, neighbourhoods like Roma Norte and Coyoacán have gone viral for cafés, street markets, and museums. The result is more foreign visitors, higher rents, and changes in the feel of quiet local streets.
Canada’s Natural Icons Under Pressure
In Canada, TikTok’s influence is strongest in nature spots. Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park has seen record spring and summer traffic after drone videos of its turquoise water went viral. Parks Canada has added shuttles and temporary parking limits to manage the overflow.
Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia, famous for its lighthouse, is busier in shoulder seasons after being called “the most beautiful lighthouse in the world” online. New safety barriers and signs warn about strong waves and slippery rocks. Banff and Moraine Lake in Alberta have long been famous, but TikTok trends for sunrise photos at Moraine Lake have made pre-dawn lines longer. Parks Canada has banned private cars on the access road. Visitors now need to book a shuttle to protect the alpine environment.
Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario has also felt the effect. Videos of flower-filled streets and wineries have drawn more day trips by bus. The small town is looking at timed entry for coaches in peak bloom season to stop congestion in the historic centre.
Italy Struggles with Sudden Crowds
In Italy, a ski town called Roccaraso went viral when a snowy view was shared on TikTok. In one day, 10,000 people came to visit. Roads were blocked. Litter was left behind. Some visitors even lit fires on the slopes. The town put limits on tour buses to control the crowds. In the Dolomites, Seceda mountain saw long queues of people waiting for the same photo. Local farmers put up a turnstile and charged €5 to help repair damage to the land. In Venice, the Libreria Acqua Alta bookshop became a selfie spot, but most visitors did not buy books. The owners now ask politely for support.
Austria’s Hallstatt Says “Enough”
The small village of Hallstatt in Austria looks like a fairy tale. It is said to have inspired the film Frozen. It now gets over one million visitors a year. In 2023, locals put up a wooden fence to block the most popular view. They hoped this would stop people crowding in one spot and making noise all day. The fence came down after complaints, but the message stayed clear. Hallstatt wants tourism that respects local life.
Spain Takes Creative Action
In Barcelona, tourists were using the #116 local bus to reach Park Güell. This made it hard for residents to get home. The city asked Google and Apple Maps to remove the bus route from their apps. Now locals have space again. Some shops are also charging small fees for people who come only to take photos. In Brihuega, lavender fields became famous online. Over 100,000 people visited in one month, but the town has fewer than 3,000 residents. Local leaders are planning park-and-ride services to control traffic and protect the fields.
Japan Blocks Famous Views
In Fujikawaguchiko, tourists were running into the road to take a photo of Mount Fuji behind a shop. This was dangerous and annoying for locals. In 2024, the town put up a high black screen to block the view. The barrier worked. Crowds left and the road was safer. It was removed later, but the town says it will go back up if problems return. Japan has also added entry fees and limits for climbing Mount Fuji. In Kyoto, tourists are banned from some alleys in the Gion district to protect geisha from harassment.
Bali Cracks Down on Bad Behaviour
Bali in Indonesia is famous for its temples and beaches. But TikTok trends have encouraged some visitors to act badly. Some rode motorbikes on temple grounds. Others posed nude at holy sites. In 2025, the government made a list of “Dos and Don’ts” for tourists. It includes rules like dressing properly in temples and not climbing on monuments. Breaking the rules can lead to fines or even deportation. Bali has also introduced a tourist tax to fund conservation.
Antarctica Faces New Risks
Even Antarctica is getting more tourists thanks to TikTok. Videos of penguins and icy seas are popular online. Visitor numbers hit a record 124,000 in the 2022–2023 season. Experts worry about damage to this fragile place. Some visitors have ignored safety rules and gotten too close to wildlife. There was even graffiti found on a historic hut in 2024. Tour operators are now adding stricter visitor caps and better briefings to protect the environment.
The UK Closes a Viral Challenge Spot
In the UK, Rufford Ford in Nottinghamshire became famous for videos of cars trying to cross deep water. People came from far away to watch and film. This caused accidents and blocked emergency services. In 2023, the ford was closed to stop the chaos. Other UK spots, like Durdle Door and Glenfinnan Viaduct, have also faced crowd control issues after going viral.
The Impact on Local Life
When a place goes viral, it can change daily life for the people who live there. Streets can get crowded. Shops can be blocked by people taking photos but not buying anything. Noise and litter can make life unpleasant. In small towns, the number of tourists can be many times higher than the number of residents. This puts pressure on services, roads, and the environment.
How Communities Are Responding
Different places are trying different solutions. Some put up barriers or screens to block famous views. Others limit bus or car access. Entry fees are becoming common to cover the cost of cleaning and repairs. Tourist caps help control numbers at busy times. Education campaigns tell visitors how to behave respectfully. In some cases, maps are changed so tourists do not find certain routes.
Why TikTok Tourism Is Hard to Manage
TikTok is fast. A video can reach millions in hours. By the time a local government reacts, the crowds may already be there. Many places want the benefits of tourism, like more spending in shops and hotels. But they also want to avoid the downsides. The challenge is finding the balance between welcoming visitors and protecting communities.
The Future of Social Media Travel
As more people use TikTok to plan trips, destinations may need to work with the platform directly. This could mean promoting less crowded spots or sharing safety messages in trending videos. Tourism boards could prepare for sudden fame by having plans ready for crowd control. Some experts say that encouraging travel in off-season months can help spread the load.
Lessons for Travellers
Travellers can help too. It is important to respect local rules and culture. Buy something if you take photos in a shop. Keep noise down in quiet areas. Avoid blocking roads or pathways. Visit at less busy times if possible. Remember that behind every pretty scene online, there are people living their daily lives.
Conclusion: Finding Balance in the Age of Viral Travel
TikTok has changed the way we discover places. It can shine a light on beautiful spots that deserve attention. But it can also cause harm if crowds arrive too quickly and without care. In 2025, countries from Italy to Japan are learning how to manage this new kind of tourism. The best results come when visitors, locals, and officials work together. That way, the world’s most beautiful places can be enjoyed now and protected for the future.
