Last-chance tourism latest controversial travel trend

Travelers are racing to see parts of the world that could soon vanish forever due to the effects of climate change

As the planet warms, many of Earth's natural wonders – such as coral reefs, glaciers and archipelagos - are at risk of damage and disappearance. A growing number of travelers are seeking to visit such sites "before it's too late". But experts warn that the trend threatens to accelerate the cycle of destruction.

Key takeaways

• With more and more tourists looking for new and exotic things, they are a bit more attracted by media accounts of coral losses at the Great Barrier Reef and sinking images of Venice, and then choose that as their destination;
• But there is also evidence that visiting an ecological site may lead people to become more aware of their own impact on the environment. New research suggests that nature-based tourism can "help clarify visitors' intentions to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors;
• Long-term thinking is needed to protect ecologically fragile tourism sites. Without proper management and thinking about the limits to acceptable change, places are being ruined beyond repair.

Get the full story at MSN