World-famous destinations being destroyed by tourists - see list of what we're likely to lose next

World-famous destinations being destroyed by tourists - see list of what we're likely to lose next Dozens of historical sites around the globe are at risk of being closed off to the public amid over tourism, damage and littering that has sparked concern among conservationists World-famous destinations that have stood for centuries are at risk of being destroyed by tourists - see the list of what spectacular sites we could lose next. Dazzling coral reefs, once-lost cities and event cradles of our civilisation face year-on-year wear and tear that might lead to them being closed off to tourists or lost altogether. But over tourism and irresponsible behaviour at some of the world's most visited locations. The situation is so dire that Responsible Travel identified 98 sites in 63 countries, some of which have seen over tourism or damage so severe that officials have closed off sites to the public. They include Peru's Machu Pichu, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and so-called mermaid pools in New Zealand. The risk of over tourism in particular can have devastating consequences with UNESCO threatening in 2017 to remove Dubrovnik's World Heritage Site status unless it curbed tourist numbers. Locals have also vented their fury at the issue as roads become impassable due to high numbers of visitors. Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and sustains an ecosystem of some of the most unique species on the planet. A mixture of climate change, oil spills and careless tourists have caused damage to the site. Environmental consultation organisation Sea Going Green warned: "Careless divers brush against fragile coral branches, swimmers kick fins that break apart delicate structures and boats drop anchors on living colonies that took centuries to grow. "Visitors walking on shallow flats cause further destruction, crushing habitats with every step. Unfortunately physical damage is only part of the equation." Any loss to the Great Barrier Reef would be significant as it has been estimated as much as between 30 to 50 per cent of coral reefs have been destroyed over the past 10 years. Lascaux Cave Between 17,000 to 20,000 years ago, our ancestors painted on the walls of Lascaux Cave in France. The complex of caves was once home to prehistoric humans who painted animals on its walls. At its height, the site welcomed 1,500 visitors each day. But the impact from their visits impacted the humidity and carbon dioxide levels in the cave. It led the site to be permanently closed to tourists in 1963 in a bid to preserve the site. A replica of the cave - named Lascaux IV - was made so tourists could visit without harming the original site. Angkor Wat The ancient temple complex in Cambodia is one of the most famous sites in Asia and attracts near 1 million visitors each year. But holidaymakers caused concern among conservationists who filmed themselves recreating moments from the mobile game Temple Run. Tourists recorded themselves running through the temple site in a bid to recreate moments from the game. The stunts have caused damage to the steps and sandstone of the ancient site. Te Wai o Te Taniwha mermaid pools The stunning Te Wai o Te Taniwha mermaid pools in New Zealand rwere closed after visitors continued to dump their waste and rubbish at the site, which is sacred to the Māori people. Sunscreen, sanitary towels and even urine were found at the site. The failure to respect the site resulted in the site being closed off to tourists. Kris MacDonald, the chairman of the Matapōuri marae told outlet Stuff: "It's a step we had to take. There is no point in having a beautiful taonga like this if it's going to be killed by too many people." Machu Picchu For centuries, the Incan city of Machu Picchu was lost. The citafel located high in the mountains of Peru is one of the best preserved archeological sites connected to one of the Americas great civilisations before the Spanish conquest. Since becoming a major tourist attraction, the site has suffered damage from the high number of visitors who visit each day. In a bid to tackle the damage caused by foot traffic, both UNESCO and the Peruvian government placed a cap of 2,500 visitors Tourists also sparked outrage in 2020 when CCTV footage allegedly showed a number of tourists defecating in a sacred temple. Venice The northern Italian city of Venice is arguably one of the most well-known and most visited places, not only in the country, but in the world. Iconic architecture, widing canals and picturesque scenery make it an enviable location that many travellers would have at least considered visiting once in their lives. But high tourist numbers have led locals to increasingly push back against visitors to the city as high foot traffic causes wear and tear to its streets and hundreds of bridges. The issue came to a head last year when locals came out to oppose the city being the location of the opulent wedding of Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.