A new BBC feature highlights ethical risks in last-chance tourism. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Researchers warn that tourists who rush to vanishing sites can worsen environmental decline. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The story draws on recent academic work about grief, management, and visitor pressure. ( KU News: Eco-necrotourism study summary ) ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Last-chance tourism means visiting places likely to disappear from climate change. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Tourists go to melting glaciers, dying reefs, and low-lying islands. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The trend appeals to people who want to “see it before it is gone”. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
This reporting matters to Thai readers who rely on coastal tourism. ( Tourism Authority of Thailand: 2024 visitor numbers )
Thailand hosts coral reefs, islands, and national parks. ( CNN: Maya Bay and reef recovery ) ( Nation Thailand: Coral comeback in Thailand )
Tourism can both help and harm these coastal assets. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Researchers show that travel itself raises carbon emissions. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The average Antarctic cruise emits a lot of carbon per passenger. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism ) ( IAATO data and reports )
Scientists link visitors to habitat disturbance and invasive species. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Antarctic tourism has brought invasive organisms and disease to wildlife. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Large crowds also damage coral reefs through trampling and anchor scars. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Researchers found that many glacier visitors wanted to see ice before it melted. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Iceland shows how demand can overwhelm fragile mountain and ice sites. ( NYT: Glacier tourism Iceland )
Iceland now hosts more than two million tourists per year. ( Icelandic Tourist Board data )
Researchers warn that this same pattern can reach Thai islands. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Thailand has already closed famous sites to allow recovery. ( CNN: Maya Bay closure and recovery )
Experts say visitor emotion matters in managing last-chance sites. ( KU News: Eco-necrotourism study summary )
Robin Kundis Craig calls this “eco-necrotourism” and links it to grief. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
She argues that park staff must plan for visitors’ strong emotions. ( KU News: Eco-necrotourism study summary )
Craig recommends that managers channel grief into action. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
She lists three questions tourists should ask before travel. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The first question is whether travel is eco-friendly. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The second is whether activities avoid damage on site. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
The third is what conservation actions tourists will take later. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Guides and operators can shape tourists’ post-trip behaviour. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Some operators add education and citizen science on trips. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Antarctic guides ask tourists to help with scientific observations. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism ) ( IAATO data and reports )
IAATO sets voluntary rules to reduce Antarctic pressure. ( IAATO data and reports )
The association reports rising visitor numbers in recent seasons. ( IAATO report: 2023-24 season overview )
IAATO recommends limits when wildlife shows stress. ( IAATO data and reports )
Not all visitors change their behaviour after striking visits. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Surveys show emotional impact but weak long-term engagement. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Guides can translate emotion into conservation action. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Some operators use site secrecy to protect wildlife from crowds. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Small-group expeditions can reduce local impacts. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
A Master Reef Guide sees tourism as a way to care for reefs. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
He uses diving to teach visitors about reef fragility. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
This model could work in Thailand’s dive sites. ( CNN: Maya Bay recovery and reef management )
Thai operators already restrict numbers at some parks. ( Maya Bay reopening reports )
Thailand’s Tourism Authority highlights sustainability in policy. ( TAT news: 2024 visitor milestone )
Local communities depend on tourism income across Thailand. ( TAT news: 2024 visitor milestone )
Tourism restrictions can harm household incomes short term. ( CNN: Maya Bay socioeconomic effects )
The Thai model must balance conservation and livelihoods. ( CNN: Maya Bay recovery and management )
Thailand’s coral reefs saw mass bleaching events in 2024. ( Nation Thailand: 2024 bleaching Gulf of Thailand )
Scientists warn reefs need both protection and restoration. ( AIMS: Coral bleaching resources )
Tourists can harm recovery by touching or anchoring on reefs. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Boat operators should use mooring buoys to protect the seabed. ( CNN: Reef protection practices )
Thailand can expand conservation fees to fund restoration. ( TAT news: Thailand tourism revenue 2024 )
Tourist education campaigns can increase respectful behaviour. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Schools can include local ecosystem lessons in curricula. ( KU News: eco-necrotourism implications for managers )
Thai universities can partner in citizen science projects. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Citizen science can track coral recovery and species sightings. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
International standards can help operators reduce carbon footprints. ( IAATO data and reports )
Tourists should choose operators with conservation credentials. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Operators should disclose site limits and educational programming. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Some guides avoid naming exact landing sites to protect wildlife. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
This practice can work for Thai island landings too. ( CNN: Maya Bay and Thai site protection )
Tourists should offset unavoidable travel emissions responsibly. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Offsets must come from verified conservation projects. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Officials must regulate visitor numbers in fragile zones. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Managers can use reservation systems and timed entries. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Thailand can expand successful pilot schemes from Maya Bay. ( CNN: Maya Bay recovery measures )
Local leaders should get seat at policy tables. ( TAT news: stakeholder engagement )
Community stewardship can inspire sustainable tourism norms. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Buddhist values of care and moderation can support conservation. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Temples and community groups can lead awareness campaigns. ( TAT news: community tourism initiatives )
Tourists can adopt clear personal rules before travel. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Rule one: choose lower-carbon transport when possible. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Rule two: avoid activities that damage habitats. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Rule three: support local conservation and research funds. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Tourists can also spread awareness after trips. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Guides can train tourists to act as conservation ambassadors. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
This training can align with school and university outreach. ( KU News: eco-necrotourism study summary )
Thai policy can reward operators who reduce impacts. ( TAT news: sustainable tourism goals )
Certification can guide tourist choices and boost best practices. ( IAATO data and reports )
Researchers call for more study on visitor psychology and action. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Understanding grief can improve park communication and management. ( KU News: eco-necrotourism study summary )
Thailand can test emotional-support measures at key sites. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Councils can train rangers to discuss loss and action with visitors. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
The immediate risk is more damage from rising tourist numbers. ( IAATO report: Antarctic tourism growth )
The longer risk is lost ecosystems and livelihoods. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Thai readers can act now to help protect coastal nature. ( TAT news: Thailand tourism sustainability )
Choose operators with clear conservation programs. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Practice leave-no-trace rules at all sites. ( CNN: Maya Bay recovery measures )
Support reef restoration through verified donations. ( AIMS coral bleaching resources )
Ask operators how they limit and educate visitors. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
Vote for local policies that balance economy and nature. ( TAT news: stakeholder engagement )
If tourists and managers act together, sites can recover. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism )
If they do not, last-chance visits can hasten loss. ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
This BBC feature and academic work give a clear prompt. ( BBC Travel: An ethical guide to last-chance tourism ) ( SSRN: Eco-Necrotourism and Public Land Management )
Thai authorities, operators, and tourists can use this guidance now. ( TAT news: Thailand tourism sustainability )