Best Countries For Digital Nomads Looking To Avoid Over Tourism Trends

Recently, the world’s most famous museum — the Louvre — shut down due to mass tourism in the City of Light. The workers went on strike because of this challenge but it also helped raise more awareness of this incredibly problematic issue for many cities and sites around the world.

So, what is a digital nomad to do? We could continue swarming the most popular tourist destinations in the world, or we can find the right places that can handle an influx of millennials leaving North America for bluer pastures.

According to research conducted by HotelwithTub, a tourism group with heavy interests in this kind of migration pattern, some of the most popular digital nomad destinations are among the worst offenders for overtourism.

The research project used information on cost of living, popularity with ex-pats and tourists, safety, livability and how frequently folks revisit the same place to determine the top 100 destinations.

However, overtourism has become a huge issue in most of these popular destinations for digital nomads. So, cross-referencing these sites with other resources has helped to reveal some of the safest, most affordable alternatives for millennials leaving North America.

Thailand remains the number one choice for digital nomads, according to many tourism sites and research groups. However, this nation, and particularly its capital, Bangkok, has begun to face this overtourism crisis.

Japan, especially in popular destinations such as Tokyo, is facing a similar crisis. However, they’re taking a different approach and combating the issue. Tourists are encouraged to visit less popular areas — Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka — with more infrastructure plans in the works for the high-demand cities. The smaller towns and villages capable of hosting tourists are more affordable for ex-pats anyway, so if Japan is your heart-set, it’s not impossible.

For those looking for the most affordable, least overrun, and safest countries for relocation, though, Taiwan and Vietnam are your best bets. Both countries offer a slower living pace while also providing gorgeous natural wonders, thrilling adventures and plenty of space.

The key to moving to Europe is choosing less popular, overcrowded nations. Spain, France, Italy, Greece — they’re all facing overtourism and higher cost of living for non-natives. To avoid adding to the problem in this continent, instead consider Germany, Estonia and Poland. All are considered safe, affordable and desirable for those seeking to escape the American cultural and political climate.

Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile are considered some of the safest, most intriguing and most affordable countries in the world. These nations aren’t facing overtourism currently, apart from the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. Because of the welcoming spirit, affordability, unique culture and ex-pat friendliness, these nations are a much better choice than hitting up the overrun locales like Peru and Costa Rica.

If you’re interested in moving somewhere that is welcoming folks with open arms, Sierra Leone is actively seeking tourists and expats to bolster their economy. It should be noted that the nation is a Level 2 travel advisory, so is not ideal for naïve travelers.

Other countries in Africa that may offer you an affordable, comfortable and safe living while providing you with unique landscape and exciting wildlife exploration include Zambia and the island of Cabo Verde.

While both nations are extremely desirable for many expats, Australia and New Zealand are considered challenging locales for relocation. The migration process is difficult for both, with Australia being the tougher of the two. Most folks looking for a comfortable transition as a digital nomad will skip these countries, unless they have specific “ins” with the locals to provide sponsorship.