People are flocking to destinations threatened by climate change.
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But another thing these places have in common is that they are considered part of a growing travel trend known as “last chance tourism,” where people flock to areas that offer unforgettable experiences. the effects of climate changeWhile these must-see locations are always a sight to behold, some wonder if the increase in travel to these ever-changing locations does not accelerate the problem.
Learn more about last-chance tourism below, including what you need to know about the impact of travel.
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What is last chance tourism?
The popularity of last-chance tourism stems from the belief that some travel destinations have an expiration date – either because they change so quickly that they no longer offer the same experience, or because there is a fear that they will disappear altogether – prompting many people to book trips to far-flung places while they can.
A 2021 report from the World Travel and Tourism Council says travel accounts for about 8 to 11 percent of all global greenhouse gases This means that some of these human-made greenhouse gases could exacerbate some of the changes that put these places at risk when they are created by people hoping to get a glimpse of these declining places.
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Cities like Venice, Italy, and Chamonix, France, have already become popular destinations for last-chance tourists.
According to the The New York Times (NYT)The Mer de Glace in France is experiencing an influx of visitors hoping to ski on the famous glacier while they still can. Rising temperatures have caused the glacier is here to melt much faster than expected, jeopardizing the ski resort's operations. A frequent visitor told the The New York Times In March 2024, they thought it might be time to let nature take its course instead of installing new facilities or machinery to make the glacier more accessible.
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France isn't the only last-chance tourist destination. Visitors have been posting videos like the one shared by TikTok user @stinkytriplets, showing flooded streets and advises viewers to visit Venice while they can.
The comments are filled with travelers posting comments like: “I feel like crying because I've always dreamed of going to Venice, but I have no money and I'm sad now because I'll probably never get to see it.”
Unfortunately, some experts say sensationalist headlines are more likely to prompt people to book their trip in the first place.
The Independent In 2018, they published an article on 'last chance trips' and spoke with Eke Eijelaar, professor and researcher at the Centre for Sustainability, Tourism and Transport at NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences.
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As to whether or not the focus on places like the Great Barrier Reef or Venice can help slow the effects of climate change remains to be seen, but for now it looks like more and more people will continue to add them to their list of must-see travel destinations. Hopefully this also highlights some of the ways in which Visitors can help these areas Also.
