🌋 Last chance tourism: top 10 endangered destinations

Last updated Jan 25, 2025

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The world is full of amazing places, but nothing on Earth lasts forever. It seems that this is how one can briefly explain the essence of this type of travel. With worldwide cataclysms and the threat of global warming, what has been created over thousands of years is gradually being erased from the face of the planet. Last chance tour is a new trend in the industry . People are trying to have time to visit places that are at risk of extinction due to climate change. For example, the Galapagos Islands or the Great Barrier Reef.

Last chance tourism was first discussed in 2007. These are places and attractions that are under threat of human, environmental or other disaster. True, due to the fact that a large flow of people strives to see unique objects, on the contrary, pressure on the ecosystem increases. It turns out that already disappearing places are disappearing even faster.

For example, since the early 90s of the last century, tourism in Antarctica has been constantly growing. Based on data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, about 75 thousand people visited the mainland in the 2019/2020 season, and 104.8 thousand people already in the 2022/2023 season. Of course, this could not but affect the life of the coldest continent. In March 2023, it was reported that the ice around Antarctica had melted to record low levels.

But what should you do: take advantage of the moment while you have the opportunity, or boycott and look at the object in the photo on the Internet? Environmentalists say that if you approach your visit respectfully, responsibly and, most importantly, environmentally friendly, then popular natural attractions will certainly be able to survive your coming.

Here are a few examples of places suitable for last chance tourism:

1 Venice

Venice has existed since Roman times, that is, since 421. It is logical to assume that almost every building on the territory is an architectural monument. Buying real estate in this part of Italy is almost impossible. Many families pass their homes on from generation to generation. But, no matter how sad it is, a number of scientists suggest that one of the most romantic Italian cities may become uninhabitable by 2028, and by 2100 it may completely go under water.

It’s hard to say whether it’s a myth or a way to attract tourists, but the fact remains a fact. Due to the constant increase in the level of the Adriatic, only in the 20th century Venice settled by 23 cm. And then water rises became more frequent: there were more and more floods. Local authorities are struggling with the problem in every possible way: actively building three dams and sealing barriers around the city. Experts say that the water level will continue to rise. True, this assumption does not seem to frighten the indigenous people at all. For them, mold on the walls and rubber boots on their feet are just like masks and gondolas for tourists.

Piligrimos in no way wants to sow panic, but on the contrary, regardless of the predictive situation, it strongly advises to visit the capital of carnivals just like that, without fear of the disappearance of the city.

2 Maldives

Flooding by the end of the century is also predicted for another favorite resort – the Maldives. These islands in the Indian Ocean are the lowest-lying country in the world. The maximum natural ground level is 2.3 meters. And about 80% of the surface of the most Instagrammable vacation spot is just one meter above sea level.

By the way, back in 2008, the newly incoming president planned to buy land from other states, so that in case of flooding of their own territory, local residents would have somewhere to move. Sri Lanka and India were proposed as the most realistic options.

Floods, coastal erosion – so far the resort is called the most vulnerable place in the world. At the same time, the number of vacationers on it does not decrease. The Ministry of Tourism of the Maldives said that in the first seven months of 2023, Russia is the leader in tourist flow. From January to July, the archipelago received 121,350 Russians. India is in second place, and the UK closes the top three.

By the way, Tiqets.com specialists will help you select a tour around this wonderful country if you want to be among the lucky ones who visited the Maldives.

3 Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef, which is located in the northeastern part of Australia, may disappear much faster than by 2100. It can be seen both from an airplane and from space.

Scientists from the Australian James Cook University “sobered up” the society with the statement that by 2050, 94% of coral reefs could “die.” This will happen if humanity continues to emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. And this, for a second, is almost 2300 kilometers where living organisms live.

It would seem that there are no reefs in our latitudes and they have no effect. BUT! 80% of the oxygen we consume comes from the oceans. So reefs certainly play an important role in this. In addition, some corals are actively used in many medicines that help in the treatment of cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Also, do not forget that reefs are a place of life for many species of living creatures. 25% of all fish in the sea live around coral reefs. For example, sea bass and lobster live near this ecosystem.

Is it worth saying that entire countries can depend on reefs? The favorite place of all surfers is Hawaii; about 60% of their income comes from “reef tourists”.

True, there is still good news: corals can recover. What should be done? At least reduce the burning of fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal.

4 Absorbing Sugar

The hottest desert in the world expands southward by 6-10 kilometers every year. The huge lifeless territory has already reached the size of the United States and does not think of stopping. Millions of square kilometers of hot sand are found in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Sudan, Tunisia and Chad. And this, by the way, is about 8% of the world’s land area. So if you suddenly have an exotic desire to visit any of these African countries, now is the right time!

5 Bye-bye, arctic tundra

Due to the increase in average temperature on the planet, the Arctic tundra, the youngest natural zone of all existing, is suffering greatly. The unique nature that occupies the vast expanses of Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Northern Asia may completely disappear in less than 500 years. Mosses, shrubs and lichens are already beginning to replace the forest. In this situation, the ecosystem will radically change. Additional carbon will also be released, further accelerating global warming. And accordingly, the number of forest fires will increase and air pollution will increase.

So when planning your next trip, keep in mind that some natural areas may soon disappear. Having time to see them will be much more valuable. It is obvious that everything will disappear someday. In this material we gave examples of the fastest natural “deaths”. So if you've been waiting for a sign to set off on an unforgettable trip, then perhaps this is it?