10. Maya Bay, Thailand

After the Hollywood film “The Beach” propelled it to stardom, millions of tourists swarmed this once-pristine 250-meter-long beach, with daily peaks of up to 8,000 visitors.

The devastating consequence? Coral reefs suffered a staggering decline, dwindling to a mere 8% of their original volume, severely impacting marine life.

Maya Bay, once a symbol of natural beauty, now stands as a stark example of places ruined by tourism.

The constant flow of large boats further exacerbated pollution problems, causing additional harm to the fragile ecosystem.

However, in 2018, the Thai government took significant steps to address these concerns.

They temporarily closed the beach, initiating comprehensive recovery efforts, introducing protective measures, and implementing new conservation laws.

These actions reflect a commitment to rectify the damage caused by tourism and secure a more sustainable future for Maya Bay and other such destinations.