#EnvironmentalProtection

A surge in global tourism to Antarctica, the earth’s last great wilderness, has alarmed environmental researchers as nearly 125,000 travelers set foot or sailed its icy waters in the 2023–24 season—a leap from less than 8,000 annual visitors thirty years ago. New research warns that unless robust protective measures are enforced, Antarctica’s unique and fragile ecosystems risk irreversible damage from this increasing human presence (The Conversation).

This sharp rise in Antarctic tourism matters to Thai readers not only for environmental reasons but also because it mirrors the worldwide boom in “extreme” travel and eco-tourism, trends growing among Thai travelers seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As Thai travel agencies begin advertising Antarctic cruises and expeditions, understanding the environmental price of such adventures has never been more important.

As protests against mass tourism flare up once again across Europe’s most visited destinations, the continent is experimenting with ambitious new strategies to strike a balance between tourism and residents’ quality of life. Policymakers, tourism boards, and local communities from Switzerland to Spain and Germany are rolling out innovative programs to fight overcrowding, preserve natural and cultural heritage, and rethink the very nature of travel in a post-pandemic age. The struggle underway in Europe offers vital lessons for Thailand, which faces its own battles with overtourism in places like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the islands of the Andaman and the Gulf.

A groundbreaking new study has revealed that genuine enjoyment of nature—rather than merely spending time outdoors—plays a crucial role in boosting individuals’ happiness and life satisfaction. Published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology in May 2025, the research offers a nuanced understanding that challenges common perceptions, highlighting the importance of emotional engagement with the natural world over sheer frequency of outdoor activity (PsyPost.org).

For many in Thailand, a country renowned for its lush national parks, stunning coastlines, and traditional reverence for natural beauty, the assumption has long been that more frequent visits to nature equate to greater well-being. Yet, this study out of Academia Sinica in Taiwan finds that the benefits of green spaces hinge less on how often people step outdoors and more on how much joy and pleasure they actually derive from these experiences.