Map Reveals World’s Most Polluted Tourist Hotspots [Video]

A recent analysis has highlighted the world’s most polluted tourist destinations, revealing concerning environmental conditions in some of the most visited cities.

The study, conducted by DIPNDIVE, evaluated cities based on their pollution levels, factoring in air quality, water quality, noise levels and PM2.5 concentrations—tiny, harmful air particles. These data points were combined into an overall pollution score to rank cities by environmental challenges.

Egypt’s Cairo, which attracts 14.9 million visitors annually, emerged as the most polluted tourist city, with alarming environmental indicators. Its Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at a staggering 160, signifying unhealthy air conditions, while PM2.5 levels reached 68.4 µg/m³—over 13 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limit of 5 µg/m³.

Los Angeles, with 49.1 million annual visitors, ranked as the second most polluted tourist city. Its AQI of 116 and PM2.5 levels of 41.5 µg/m³ underscore serious air quality problems. The sprawling urban landscape struggles with emissions and congestion that exacerbate environmental …