Last-minute travel: Find four places before they go extinct
Travel is changing as a result of climate change, which is upending ecosystems all over the world. As the world changes, some places may soon undergo significant change, earning them the moniker “last-chance” tourist attractions. More people wish to view these treasures before they are permanently altered or disappear, but many are unsure of how to do so in an ethical manner.
A careful balance must be struck between preservation and tourism. More and more tourists are opting to travel into mangrove or iceberg country instead of the well-known coastal towns dotted with resorts. However, there are ways to visit these last-chance tourist spots ethically. Here’s some information.
Last-chance tourism: what is it?
People’s propensity to visit places that are changing or disappearing quickly is referred to as “last-chance tourism.” The hazard is usually ecological, which means that these locations are found in ecosystems that are losing equilibrium as a result of habitat degradation or climate change.
Due to their increased purchasing capacity, millennials and Gen Zers are more likely to choose ecotourism when traveling. Many people’s thoughts are focused on disappearing scenery. We will be inspired to share the stories and maybe lessen our impact on these magnificent places by traveling to places that are at risk of change and educating others about last-chance locations.
How to travel to last-chance tourist locations responsibly
The topic of last-chance tourism is somewhat contentious. Critics fear that the increase in tourists would hasten the rate of devastation as more individuals choose these vulnerable areas as their vacation spots.
Experts advise traveling to a last-chance tourist location in the off-season, supporting local businesses while there, and adopting eco-friendly travel practices like packing reusable water bottles and consuming plant-based, seasonal, or hyper-local cuisine. You get extra credit if you complete all three!
Four last-minute travel destination suggestions in the United States
Additionally, Lasry suggests looking for excursions and events that promote conservation or the preservation of cultural assets. These four last-minute travel suggestions will make sure you don’t overdo it and contribute to the solution.
Montana’s Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, which is situated on the border between Canada and Montana, gets its name from the ice-age glacier remnants. It is frequently referred to as the “Crown of the Continent,” due to its breathtakingly beautiful natural surroundings. It has a good deal of history in addition to its stunning geological characteristics. An engineering marvel with breathtaking views, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is a picturesque 50-mile trip across the park and a National Historic Landmark.
Florida’s Tampa Bay
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming estimates that by the end of the century, sea levels in Florida will have risen by three to six feet. According to the committee, villages might be flooded by a mere few feet of sea level rise because about 10% of the state is within 5 feet of it.
Furthermore, storm systems become more intense due to climate change, which causes Florida to experience more acute and hazardous flooding. The 2024 hurricane season’s Helene and Milton serve as unmistakable evidence.
Mountains of Sangre de Cristo, New Mexico
Most of the high peaks of New Mexico are found in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which are the most significant mountain ranges in the United States. Known as the Sangre de Cristo Range, the range stretches from Santa Fe in the south past Taos to the Colorado state boundary and then into South Central Colorado. The towns on the west side of the Sangres are more strongly associated with the Hispanic and Native American communities along the Rio Grande, whilst the towns on the eastern slopes are more firmly associated with the Great Plains.
In North Carolina, Hatteras Island
A barrier island off the coast of North Carolina, Hatteras Island (formerly Croatoan Island) is also known as Hatorask. It runs parallel to the shore, bending at Cape Hatteras to divide the Atlantic Ocean from the Pamlico Sound.
The towns of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras are all included in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
It encompasses the majority of the National Seashore of Cape Hatteras. Native Americans from Croatia lived on the island before European settlers arrived. Located on Hatteras Island, which is a component of this barrier island chain, is the Hatteras Island Ocean Center, which supports local dialogue and educational initiatives.