Experiencing the world’s most iconic landmarks up close remains one of the greatest pleasures of travelling abroad. Yet that enjoyment can be somewhat diminished when you’re surrounded by hordes of fellow visitors.

Within Britain, Edinburgh Castle earned the dubious distinction of being the world’s most overcrowded landmark, whilst a royal site claimed the top position in England. Now, research from MoneyTransfers.com has identified the most congested tourist hotspots across the globe. The study found that Phuket in Thailand holds the title of the world’s most crowded tourist destination, with a staggering 118 tourists for every local resident.

As one of Thailand’s premier beach resorts, Phuket boasts some of the planet’s finest stretches of sand, including the renowned Kata and Karon beaches.

Yet visitors may encounter severely crowded conditions, especially during the high season. Thailand dominated the rankings, with both Pattaya and Krabi also featuring in the top 10.

Heraklion, amongst Greece’s most popular destinations, appeared on the overcrowded list with 22 tourists per local resident.

Predictably, Venice secured a place in the top 10, with the Italian gem recording an extraordinary 21 tourists for every resident.  Authorities are now considering implementing a tourist levy to help manage the overwhelming crowds.

Rhodes also featured on the list of crowded destinations, with over 20 tourists for every resident. Miami rounded off the list, with a ratio of 18 tourists to every local.