Last-chance tourism destinations around the country include Montana’s Glacier National Park — Photo courtesy of stellalevi / E+
As climate change rocks ecosystems worldwide, the phenomenon is also shifting travel. Some locations are becoming known as last-chance tourism destinations, as they could soon drastically transform as the planet evolves. More people want to see these gems before they’re gone or changed for good, but many don’t know how to do so responsibly. It’s a delicate balance between tourism and preservation.
“From changes in seasonality to rising sea levels to extreme weather, these factors impact not only the natural environment but also the availability of activities to visitors and their experiences,” says Alex Lasry, the deputy assistant secretary of commerce for travel and tourism at the International Trade Administration. “The businesses and people managing those destinations are working to adjust to the effects of climate change and balance the volume of visitors.”
An increasing number of vacationers are choosing to bypass popular resort-speckled beach towns to venture into iceberg territory or mangrove country. Still, there’s a way to travel responsibly to these last-chance tourism destinations. Here’s what to know.
What is last-chance tourism?
Disappearing landscapes, like glaciers, prairies, and low-lying islands, are just a few examples of last-chance tourism destinations — Photo courtesy of Mike Hillman and Natural Habitat Adventures
Last-chance tourism describes people’s tendency to travel to rapidly changing or disappearing areas. Typically, the threat is ecological, meaning that these destinations are located in ecosystems that are becoming out of balance due to climate change or habitat destruction.
Amanda Klimak, president and co-founder of Largay Travel, a Virtuoso agency, says that last-chance tourism isn’t a new concept but has picked up steam recently. Millennials and Gen Zers have gained spending power, and as travelers, they tend to opt for ecotourism experiences. Disappearing landscapes are at the top of many people’s minds.
“The world is ever-evolving, and our impact on the planet has accelerated recently,” Klimak says. “By visiting destinations at risk of change and bringing awareness to others about last-chance destinations, we will be encouraged to share the stories and hopefully slow our impact on these amazing places.”
How to responsibly visit last-chance tourism destinations
There is some controversy surrounding last-chance tourism. Critics worry that as more people pick these at-risk locales as their vacation destinations, the influx of visitors will accelerate the pace of destruction. This is tricky because while more travelers could mean more trash or the erosion of habitats, it could also mean more funding for local conservation organizations and more appreciation for these fragile places.
If you want to sustainably visit a last-chance tourism destination, experts recommend doing so during the off-season, supporting local businesses while you’re there, and practicing green travel habits, such as bringing reusable water bottles and eating plant-based, seasonal, or hyper-local meals. Bonus points if you do all three!
Klimak says low-impact activities like hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing are ideal. “And most importantly, respect the environment and local communities,” she says. “I would also highly recommend working with travel providers with a track record of responsible travel.”
Lasry encourages travelers to consider how they can enhance sustainability and bring value to the communities and destinations they visit. For instance, the National Park Service has great tips and information on how to be a responsible visitor.
Four last-chance tourism destination ideas in the US
Lasry also recommends finding tours and activities that support conservation or cultural heritage preservation. Here are four last-chance tourism vacation ideas that ensure you tread lightly and are part of the solution.
Glacier National Park, Montana
Montana’s wilderness is becoming a last-chance tourism destination, due to wildfires and global warming — Photo courtesy of Bill Keane and Natural Habitat Adventures
The icy landscape of this stunning national park is changing rapidly. According to a 2023 U.S. Geological Survey study, the park’s namesake glaciers have lost about 44% of their mass since the early 1970s, and several have been lost entirely.
To visit this last-chance tourism destination, consider Natural Habitat Adventures’ nine-day natural history excursion in the park and Waterton Lakes National Park, a neighboring site in Canada. The small group tours allow flexibility and access to remote areas, so prepare for alpine views, wildlife encounters, hikes, and unique lodgings. Naturalist expedition leaders offer expert insights and specially designed itineraries. It’s also a 100% carbon-neutral travel company, meaning it offsets all CO2 emissions generated during its tours and in its daily office operations. Moreover, the company practices waste-reduction strategies, such as eliminating the use of plastic water bottles and straws.
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Natural Habitat Adventures has partnered with the World Wildlife Fund since 2003, contributing over $6 million to the nonprofit’s international conservation work. The tour company sends 1% of gross sales and an additional total of $175,000 every year, so your tourism dollars add to that.
Tampa Bay, Florida
Facing more intense storms and flooding than ever before, Florida is a popular last-chance tourism destination in the U.S. — Photo courtesy of Emily Iris Degn
According to the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, Florida’s sea levels are projected to rise between 3 and 6 feet by the end of the century. The committee says that nearly 10% of the state is within 5 feet of sea level, so even a few feet of a rise can flood communities. Moreover, climate change intensifies storm systems, resulting in more immediate and dangerous flooding for Florida. Hurricanes Helene and Milton from the 2024 season are solid proof.
Still, the Sunshine State continues to benefit from a sizable tourism industry, with its sandy beaches, charming beach towns, theme parks, and other best-kept secrets. Florida is also a great place to participate in voluntourism, or volunteering while vacationing.
For example, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful hosts organized beach cleanups that clear the Florida coast of debris and help communities recover from destructive storms. Last year alone, Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful hosted 1,078 of these events, tending to 1,786 acres of public land.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, New Mexico
Taos Ski Valley prioritizes sustainable practices to preserve the highest peaks in New Mexico — Photo courtesy of RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock Via Getty Images
Climate change is sparking more intense wildfires, heatwaves, drought, and decreased snowfall in the Southwest. New Mexico is no exception, putting its dramatic landscapes, grasslands, and snowy mountains at risk. From 1955 to 2023, the state’s various snowpacks shrank between 6% and 62%, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
New Mexico’s most significant peaks, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, are the territory’s biggest source of snow and didn’t escape these figures. Feeding the massive Rio Grande River, the peaks’ lack of water led to the state’s largest reservoir being at 25% capacity in the spring of 2024.
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Aside from feeding farmers’ crops and the Rio Grande, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are a playground for winter sports. For those wanting to support the region, enjoy some recreation, and see the mountains responsibly, consider Taos Ski Valley.
As the world’s first and only Certified B Corp ski resort, Taos Ski Valley prioritizes sustainability practices that span waste reduction efforts to carbon reporting. The resort also aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. On its latest B Impact ranking — an assessment given to all B Corps to determine how well they support people and the planet through their business practices — Taos Ski Valley earned a 97.8 out of 100. (The median score is 50.9.)
Hatteras Island, North Carolina
The Outer Banks are a prime ecotourism spot and last-chance tourism destination — Photo courtesy of Emily Iris Degn
Rising sea levels caused by climate change continue to eat away at the Outer Banks, a 200-mile chain of low-lying islands off North Carolina and Virginia coast. As barrier islands, they are particularly prone to erosion, and their exposure to winds, strong currents, and storms makes them among the most at-risk places on the East Coast, according to scientists. The National Park Service estimates that the region loses about 13 feet annually to the water.
Hatteras Island is part of this barrier island chain and is home to the Hatteras Island Ocean Center, which promotes local conversation and education efforts. The center’s experts offer kayak nature tours through salt marshes, bonfires, and stargazing experiences under some of the darkest skies on the East Coast.
With the beaches disappearing, the sea turtle’s plight is a hot topic in this region, as the creatures face habitat loss and other dangers. As an ocean center volunteer, you can go on patrols to learn how the National Park Service is protecting sea turtles and help staff look for nests and lone eggs.
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