“Last-Chance” Tourism: when a trend overwhelms the planet

About the author

Pablo Cerezal

Writer

Pablo Cerezal is a writer, editor, scriptwriter, and lyricist with an extensive career that includes articles and reports for numerous outlets such as Ethic, FronteraD, Zenda, and La Razón (Bolivia), as well as two personal blogs on cultural topics.

In addition to his literary and journalistic work, he has led communications for various third-sector organisations in Spain and Bolivia, specialising in articles and features on corporate social responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meet the author

Climate change is causing dangerous effects in various regions of our planet. Changes in temperature patterns are particularly harmful in polar regions, and many of the majestic glaciers in these regions are shrinking at a worrying pace. One of these glaciers is Breidamerkurjokull, in southeast Iceland. Around half a million tourists arrive to visit the glacier every year.

The risk that this impressive glacier, which has spectacular ice caves, will end up disappearing has increased people’s desire to see and walk along it, and more and more travel agencies are specialising in tours to the area every year. This phenomenon, known as “last-chance” tourism, has become a global trend. It involves visiting natural environments whose existence is being put at risk by climate change.

What am I going to read in this article?

• Polar bears in Churchill and other fading postcards
• Winter destinations: the most threatened
• Other typical last-chance tourism destinations
• Ecotourism: travelling with a positive impact

Polar bears in Churchill and other fading postcards 

The area around Churchill, a small town located on the western side of Hudson Bay (Canada), is one of the last places polar bears can still be seen in their natural habitat. People’s desire to see these animals before they disappear has increased the flow of tourism in the area. As is the case with the glaciers in Iceland, long-distance travel packages that increase greenhouse gas emissions are organised to satisfy their curiosity.

Far from easing the effects of climate change, “Last-Chance” tourism deteriorates the environments where it takes place even more. The urgent desire to see some of the most spectacular places on the planet before it is too late undoubtedly creates a special attraction in human beings. This is not a new phenomenon; we could say that this type of tourism arose when thousands of tourists arrived in Germany between 1989 and 1990 to see the Berlin Wall before it finally came down.

“The urgent desire to see some of the most spectacular places on the planet before it is too late undoubtedly creates a special attraction in human beings.”

A report from UNESCO previously warned that 17% of sites with significant cultural heritage are at risk due to climate change. In the case of natural landscapes, the percentage rises to 33%. The likelihood of these spaces disappearing in just a few decades is the main driver for this dangerous tourist trend, which seems to be here to stay. The consequences, far from alleviating the damage, only increase it.

Winter destinations: the most threatened

Referring to natural landscapes, those of a marked winter nature are at the greatest risk of disappearing. Consequently, these areas have seen the highest rise in the number of tourists every year. Kilimanjaro National Park (Tanzania) could disappear by 2050, and the glaciers in the Dolomites (Italy) could suffer the same fate in the next 25 years. The glaciers at Yunnan (China) have lost more than 57% of their mass since 2000, those in Patagonia (Argentina) about 46% and those at Te Wahipounamu (New Zealand) almost 20%. Cold regions on all the continents are suffering the effects of climate change.

Other typical last-chance tourism destinations

Not only winter landscapes that are at risk, however. Thirty-one places in 29 countries on the World Heritage list now face climate change risks, caused by drought, the possibility of wildfires, extreme weather events, or rising sea levels. Indeed, there are already alerts about the possible disappearance of prime World Cultural Heritage Sites such as St. Mark’s Square in Venice, the Sydney Opera House, the statues on Easter Island, and even the Statue of Liberty in New York. Naturally, “last-chance” tourism does not miss the opportunity to visit these places en masse.

Ecotourism: travelling with a positive impact

Fortunately, despite this accentuated trend, more and more people are opting for ecotourism. This way of travelling is precisely the opposite of what attracts people whose concern leads them to visit natural landscapes at risk of disappearing. We could describe ecotourism as an evolution of sustainable tourism, one that is even more responsible vis-à-vis nature and biodiversity.

Sustainable tourism was born decades ago thanks to a growing from an awareness around environmental issues. Since then, it has grown within a commitment to the three fundamental pillars of sustainability: the economy, the environment and society. It is a financially responsible way to travel that not only respects the natural environment but also the communities that live in the surrounding areas.

“We could describe ecotourism as an evolution of sustainable tourism, one that is even more responsible vis-à-vis nature and biodiversity”.

Beyond the must-have sustainability of the trips we take outside our homes, ecotourism has become a trend that boosts its benefits. The First World Ecotourism Summit, held in Quebec (Canada) in 2002, established the conditions that this respectful way of travelling should fulfil. These include the inclusion of local communities from the point of view of their permanence and well-being, a contribution to the conservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage, the use of renewable energy in all activities, and also by independent travellers or very small groups.

Ecotourism thus becomes the perfect alternative to ‘last-chance’ tourism because, apart from allowing the enjoyment of natural and cultural environments, it helps to conserve and develop them. The responsible practices it advocates minimise the negative impact on our ecosystems and contribute to the development of the host communities.

It is crucial that visits to tourist regions do not increase greenhouse gas emissions, should use renewable energy sources, and promote sustainable development practices. Encouraging the opposite will only serve to make all tourism “last-chance” in the not-too-distant future.