Last Chance Tourism

Summary

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly: Episode Summary – "Last Chance Tourism"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
• Host: Terry O’Reilly
• Network: Apostrophe Podcast Network
• Episode: Last Chance Tourism
• Release Date: January 18, 2025

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Introduction to Last Chance Tourism

In this compelling episode of Under the Influence, host Terry O'Reilly delves into the intriguing phenomenon of last chance tourism, a burgeoning trend where travelers flock to destinations threatened by environmental degradation or other forms of decline, with the belief that they might not have another opportunity to experience these locations. O'Reilly masterfully connects this trend to broader themes in marketing, human psychology, and conservation.

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Anecdote on Marlon Brando and “The Freshman”

O'Reilly begins with an engaging story from his earlier work. He recounts collaborating with actor Alan Arkin on a commercial, where he shared his admiration for the comedy "The In-Laws," noting that Marlon Brando also favored the film. Arkin (00:02) shares a humorous interaction with Brando, highlighting the legendary actor's lack of humor despite his professed admiration.

• Quote: “He [Brando] went on and on about how much he loved The In-Laws. But I detected no sense of humor in Brando whatsoever.” (00:02)

O'Reilly then transitions to discussing the film "The Freshman," a dark comedy featuring Brando spoofing his iconic role from The Godfather. The plot centers around the Mafia Lord Carmine Sabatini, played by Brando, who runs the Fabulous Gourmet Club, an illicit establishment serving endangered species. The film’s humor arises from Brando’s parody of Vito Corleone, blending organized crime with absurdity.

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Exploring Last Chance Tourism

O'Reilly defines last chance tourism as a marketing strategy where destinations nearing the brink of disappearance are promoted as must-visit locations before they vanish. This approach leverages loss aversion—a psychological concept where the fear of losing something is more motivating than the prospect of gain.

Key Psychological Drivers:

• Loss Aversion: People are more motivated to act to prevent loss than to achieve equivalent gains.

• Sense of Urgency: Creating a time-sensitive appeal encourages immediate action.

• Quote: “At its core, it's based on the concept of loss aversion... people are twice as likely to book a trip to see a destination that is in danger of vanishing.” (15:13)

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Case Studies of Last Chance Tourism

1. Churchill, Manitoba – Polar Bear Capital

Churchill has reinvented itself from a military hub to a premier destination for polar bear tourism. Positioned on the migratory path of polar bears, the town attracts thousands of tourists annually, generating approximately $7 million in economic activity.

• Economic Impact: High-ticket tours ranging from $3,000 to $25,000 per tourist.

• Environmental Concerns: Polar bear populations are declining due to climate change, reducing sea ice for hunting, and habitat destruction from the oil and gas industry.

• Quote: “The polar bear population has dropped by more than 27% between 2016 and 2021.” (07:45)

2. Athabasca Glacier – Canadian Rockies

Part of the Columbia Icefield, the Athabasca Glacier is retreating rapidly due to rising temperatures and increased wildfires, which darken the ice and accelerate melting.

• Tourism Appeal: Visitors can traverse the glacier via specialized snow coaches.

• Future Projections: Scientists estimate the glacier could disappear by century’s end, reinforcing its status as a last chance destination.

• Quote: “Satellite imagery shows the glacier is retreating about 5 to 10 centimeters a day.” (09:30)

3. Mer de Glace – French Alps

France’s largest glacier attracts half a million visitors each year. Continuous shrinkage necessitates infrastructural adaptations like new lifts and murals to accommodate decreasing ice levels.

• Tourism Adaptations: Installation of new steps and lifts as the glacier recedes.

• Impact: Increased tourism driven by the urgency to witness the glacier before it disappears.

• Quote: “Since 1988, the glacier has shrunk so much that 600 steps had to be installed.” (15:13)

4. Galapagos Islands – Biodiversity Hotspot

Known for unique species, the Galapagos faces threats from invasive species, overfishing, and climate change. With over 250,000 tourists annually, sustainable ecotourism is being promoted to fund conservation while mitigating environmental impact.

• Economic and Environmental Balance: Tourism revenue supports conservation, but over-tourism risks further degradation.

• Quote: “The Galapagos is more profitable if left intact... making its 400 billion trees worth more alive than dead.” (19:50)

5. Northwest Passage – Arctic Exploration

Climate change has made the Northwest Passage navigable, leading to a surge in luxury expedition cruises. Ships like the Crystal Serenity and Seabourn Venture offer exclusive Arctic experiences, capitalizing on historical explorations like Sir John Franklin’s doomed expedition.

• Tourism Growth: 44% increase in ships sailing the passage from 2013 to 2019.

• Unique Offerings: Submarine excursions, glacier hikes, and visits to indigenous communities.

• Quote: “Smaller ships, which hold fewer than 200 passengers, can now navigate narrow Arctic waterways.” (15:13)

6. Amazon Rainforest – Ecotourism vs. Deforestation

The Amazon draws millions for its unparalleled biodiversity. Sustainable ecotourism is emerging as a lucrative alternative to destructive industries like cattle ranching and illegal logging, potentially preserving the rainforest through economic incentives.

• Economic Strategy: Cultivating profitable bioeconomy industries to replace harmful practices.

• Conservation Outcome: Ecotourism generates $8.2 billion for Brazil’s economy, promoting the rainforest’s preservation.

• Quote: “Brazil is trying to referee a long standing battle between industries that exploit the rainforest's riches and the Environmentalists.” (19:50)

7. Great Barrier Reef – Sustainable Tourism Initiatives

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef employs innovative marketing to boost tourism while funding preservation. Partnerships offer incentives for tourists to engage in reef conservation, blending travel with environmental stewardship.

• Tourism Techniques: Multi-level incentive systems rewarding educational engagement and active participation in reef protection.

• Protected Areas: Only 7% of the reef is open to tourism, ensuring minimal environmental impact.

• Quote: “The basic principle is the more people know, the more people will care.” (19:50)

8. Iconic Man-Made Landmarks at Risk

Structures like the Statue of Liberty, Taj Mahal, and Egyptian Pyramids face threats from rising sea levels and pollution. These destinations are marketed as urgent visits to witness these cultural treasures before they succumb to environmental changes.

• Marketing Focus: Emphasizing the impending loss to motivate tourism.

• Paradox: While tourism funds preservation, it may also accelerate the degradation of these sites.

• Quote: “Their stories trigger loss avoidance, persuading millions to travel to vulnerable destinations.” (19:50)

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Psychological and Marketing Insights

O'Reilly explores the psychological underpinnings of last chance tourism, primarily focusing on loss aversion and scarcity, which are powerful motivators in consumer behavior. These principles explain why limited-time offers and the fear of missing out (FOMO) are so effective in driving tourism to endangered locations.

• Scarcity Effect: Limited availability increases perceived value, making destinations more desirable.

• Urgency Creation: Encouraging immediate action to capitalize on fleeting opportunities.

• Quote: “Scarcity increases perceived value; loss aversion marketing contains a sense of urgency.” (19:50)

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The Paradox of Conservation and Tourism

A central theme of the episode is the paradox inherent in last chance tourism: while tourism revenue can fund conservation efforts and research, the influx of tourists may simultaneously exacerbate environmental degradation through increased carbon emissions and ecosystem strain.

• Debate: Can tourism sustainably support conservation without causing further harm?

• Balance Required: Developing strategies that maximize conservation funding while minimizing environmental impact.

• Quote: “Tourism revenue often funds conservation projects, but it might also speed up the very destruction it seeks to prevent.” (19:50)

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Concluding Thoughts

Terry O'Reilly wraps up the episode by emphasizing the critical decision-making required in the tourism industry to navigate the delicate balance between economic benefits and environmental sustainability. He posits that the future success of tourism will hinge on innovative approaches that prioritize conservation while accommodating the desires of travelers.

• Final Insight: The ultimate challenge lies in leveraging tourism as a force for preservation without triggering the very decline it aims to exploit.

• Quote: “It might be our last chance to end Last Chance tourism.” (19:50)

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Behind the Scenes and Production Notes

The episode was recorded in the Terrestream Airstream mobile recording studio with production led by Debbie O'Reilly and Chief Sound Engineer Jeff Devine. The research was conducted by Angus Merry, and the theme music was composed by Casey Pick, Jeremiah Pick, and James Aten Gauden. The podcast is powered by Acast, ensuring high-quality production and distribution.

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Additional Content

At the end of the episode, as a fun fact, Danielle from CBS Newfoundland shares an interesting tidbit about grolar bears (hybrids of polar and grizzly bears), highlighting ongoing changes in wildlife due to environmental shifts.

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Notable Quotes Summary

• Alan Arkin on Marlon Brando’s Humor: “He [Brando] went on and on about how much he loved The In-Laws. But I detected no sense of humor in Brando whatsoever.” (00:02)
• Loss Aversion Concept: “At its core, it's based on the concept of loss aversion... people are twice as likely to book a trip to see a destination that is in danger of vanishing.” (15:13)
• Polar Bear Population Decline: “The polar bear population has dropped by more than 27% between 2016 and 2021.” (07:45)
• Glacier Retreat Rate: “Satellite imagery shows the glacier is retreating about 5 to 10 centimeters a day.” (09:30)
• Economic Impact of Amazon Ecotourism: “Brazil is trying to referee a long standing battle between industries that exploit the rainforest's riches and the Environmentalists.” (19:50)
• Tourism vs. Conservation Paradox: “Tourism revenue often funds conservation projects, but it might also speed up the very destruction it seeks to prevent.” (19:50)

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Under the Influence offers a nuanced exploration of last chance tourism, blending storytelling with critical analysis of marketing strategies and environmental impacts. Terry O'Reilly effectively engages listeners by presenting real-world examples, integrating psychological theories, and highlighting the complex interplay between tourism and conservation. For anyone interested in marketing, environmental studies, or travel, this episode provides invaluable insights into one of the most pressing trends of our time.

Transcript

[Terry O'Reilly]

Hi, it's Terry O'Reilly. As you may know, we've been producing a lot of bonus episodes while under the influences on hiatus. They're called the Beatleology Interviews where I talk to people who knew the Beatles, work with them, love them, and the authors who write about them. Well, the Beatleology Interviews have become a hit, so we are spinning it out to be a standalone podcast series. You've already heard conversations with people like actors Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell and Beatles confidant Astrid. But coming up, I talked to May Pang, who dated John Lennon in the mid-70s. I talked to Double Fantasy guitarist Earl Slick, Apple Records creative director John Koch. I'll be talking to Jan Hayworth, who designed the sergeant Pepper album cover. Very cool. And I'll talk to singer Dion, who is one of only five people still alive who were on the Sgt. Pepper cover. And two of those people were Beatles. The stories they tell are amazing. So thank you for making this series such a success. And please do me a favor. Follow the Beatleology Interviews on your podcast app. You don't even have to be a huge Beatles fan. You just have to love storytelling. Subscribe now and don't miss a single beat.

[Ryan Reynolds]

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[Terry O'Reilly]

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[Terry O'Reilly]

What love does and conquer Alka sells her will. What a relief you're under the influence with Terry O'Reilly many years ago, I worked on a commercial with actor Alan Arkin. I mentioned that his film the In Laws was one of my favorite comedies of all time. I mentioned I had read that it was also one of Marlon Brando's favorite comedies of all time. Arkin said that's true. He told me he had dinner at Brando's house one evening where Brando went on and on about how much he loved the in laws. But Arkin said he detected no sense of humor in Brando whatsoever. Now that's funny. When Brando first saw the in laws in 1979, he contacted Screenwriter Andrew Bergman and said, if you ever write another movie that funny, I'll do it. So 11 years later, Bergman sent Brando a script titled the Freshman. It was a dark comedy with an interesting plot. A mafia lord, Carmine Sabatini, played by Brando, runs something called the Fabulous Gourmet Club. It's an illicit establishment where shady rich people pay $1 million each to feast on the last remaining animal from a soon to be extinct species. While it doesn't sound like a comedy, it is. The freshman in the title is college student Clark Kellogg, played by Matthew Broderick. The funniest bit is that Marlon Brando spoofs his Godfather character. Clark Kellogg is brought to meet Sabatini by Sabatini's nephew, played by actor Bruno Kirby, who was also Clemenza in the Godfather Part ii. Kellogg can't believe how much Carmine Sabatini looks and sounds just like Vito Corleone. Kellogg is told that Vito Corleone was based on Carmine Sabatini, which is actually Marlon Brando playing Sabatini, who played Vito Corleone. At that first meeting, Sabatini makes Kellogg an offer he can't refuse. I want you to take this opportunity, totally legitimate work for $1,000 a week, and I know that you're not going to disappoint me. I don't see how I could say no. It's a suspicious job. Clark is hired to deliver mysterious packages from the airport. While we think it's drugs, it's not. It's actually the endangered animals that will be served up that night at the Fabulous Gourmet Club. Meanwhile, the FBI is watching everybody. I won't give away what happens, but it's not what you think. It's an interesting plot. While Sabatini's place is called the Fabulous Gourmet Club, it could also be called the Last Chance Club because it's the last chance to see a vanishing species. Almost every season we do an episode on tourism because it's one of the largest and most interesting marketing categories in the world. This season our topic is last Chance Tourism. Tourism companies around the world have started to advertise specific destinations to travelers because those locations have a very unique offering. Namely, they are vanishing and this may be your last chance to visit them. You're under the influence Churchill, Manitoba is 1,000 km north of Winnipeg, and it has gone through some rough times. In 1997, the Liberal government sold the rail port in Churchill to an American company. In 2012, the Conservative government ended the Wheat board, so farmers began to ship their wheat out of Thunder Bay or Vancouver instead. Soon the ships stopped coming to Churchill. The naval base left town in 1968, the radar installation was abandoned in the 70s, and the rocket range was boarded up in 1985. That meant 4,000 Canadian Forces personnel left town. So Churchill, population 900, had to reinvent itself. It turned to tourism. Polar bears were plentiful as Churchill is situated on the migratory path of the bears as they wait for the winter ice to form on Hudson's Bay. So a local mechanic built a souped up elevated recreational vehicle with big fat tires that could traverse the snow and take tourists to see the polar bears. The town positioned itself as the polar bear capital of the world. Photos, documentaries and marketing campaigns attracted thousands of tourists who spend from 3,000 to $8,000 each to have a close encounter with the magnificent white bears. Today, there are many different kinds of polar bear tours you can choose from. The most exclusive includes staying in the heart of polar bear country in tundra vehicles with sleeping cars. Another option is to stay in wilderness lodges where you are taken on walking tours along with armed guards in case the polar bears get a little too curious. European tourism companies package tours to Canada offering Arctic safaris. Prices can be as high as $25,000 per person. Polar bear tourism is said to generate around $7 million in economic activity for the inhabitants of Churchill, Manitoba. But a lot has changed in that area over the years. University of Manitoba scientist published a paper saying the polar bear population near Churchill is in trouble. The sea ice in Hudson's Bay is receding due to climate change. The bears use it to hunt for seals. But as ice diminishes year by year, they go hungrier. And as the oil and gas industry continues to eye the Arctic, there is the risk of habitat destruction. Many bears don't eat enough to maintain normal pregnancies. The polar bear population has dropped by more than 27% between 2016 and 2021, and is half of what it was in the 1980s by 2050. Some conservation scientists say the expanding length of time with no ice could mean a dire time for polar bears. This is fueling the demand for tourism, because polar bear watching is being marketed as last chance tourism. The Athabasca Glacier divides southern Jasper and northern Banff. It is part of the massive Columbia Ice Field, the largest ice field in the Rockies. Sitting at the top of the Continental Divide, the ice field runoff flows into the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The Athabasca Glacier is over 10,000 years old. Its 5.96 square kilometers, or 2.3 square miles in size, and is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall. But it's melting. Satellite imagery shows the glacier is retreating about 5 to 10 centimeters a day. Since the 1960s, it has retreated over 600 meters, or almost 2,000ft. Like Hudson's Bay sea ice, warm temperatures are the main culprit. But wildfires have also posed a problem. Glaciers deflect roughly 30% of solar radiation. But wildfire, smoke and ash is darkening the glaciers, which can increase the melt rate by up to 10%. Glaciers also cool the climate around them. But as they shrink, parts of Canada will experience greater warming, which could lead to more wildfires, which would lead to more shrinking. The Athabasca Glacier is the most visited glacier in North America. Specially designed snow coaches transport people over the steep snow and ice to the glacier edge. Hundreds of tourists step onto the glacier each day. While the tours only last two or three hours, they are marketed as the adventure of a lifetime. Scientists estimate the Athabasca Glacier will be gone by the end of the century, and that makes it one of the top destinations for last chance tourism. Don't go away. We'll be right back after a word from our sponsors who make this podcast possible.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. Recently, I asked Mint Mobile's legal team if big wireless companies are allowed to raise prices due to inflation, they said yes. And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said, what the are you talking about, you insane Hollywood ass? So to recap, we're cutting the price of mint unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month. Give it a [e-mail] Switch $45 up.

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[Terry O'Reilly]

The Mer de Glace, or sea of ice, is the largest glacier in France. Seven kilometers long and 200 meters deep, it has been one of the biggest attractions in the French Alps for over three centuries. These days, about half a million people visit Mer de Glace every year and over 80,000 ski down it annually. A cable car takes people up to the glacier where they can enter a man made ice grotto. The grotto has to be re dug every summer as the glacier shrinks up to 70 meters or 229ft every year. Since 1988, the glacier has shrunk so much that 600 steps had to be installed between the bottom of the lift and the foot of the glacier. A new lift was built last year. It was located about a quarter mile up the valley from where the original lift was built in 88. To anticipate the glacier's further retreat, it is anticipated that within 15 years the end of the glacier will have reached the new lift. That shrinking has led to growing tourism because people want to see the glacier before it goes foreign. The Galapagos is one of the most important ecosystems in the world. Over 90% of the birds and animals there are found nowhere else on the planet. While 97% of the Galapagos is protected as a national park, 188 of the area's species are considered in danger of extinction due to invasive species, overfishing, urbanization, plastic pollution and irresponsible tourism. Over 250,000 travelers visit each year. The Galapagos islands are a highly tourism dependent economy, employing about 80% of the population. Tourists can take small scale cruises around the archipelago and yachts can be chartered. The most expensive seven day private charters can cost up to 149,000 US per person. Tour packages often include a guaranteed sighting of at least 11 of the island's 15 iconic species. With its unique wildlife teetering on extinction, together with its spectacular scenery, the Galapagos is one of the top last chance destinations on earth. The psychology behind last chance tourism is interesting. At its core, it's based on the concept of loss aversion. It's a powerful marketing tactic where the emotional impact of a loss is felt more intensely than the joy of an equivalent gain. That's why retailers have so many limited time only sales and why infomercials always say products are only available in limited quantities. In the travel industry, it translates like people are twice as likely to book a trip to see a destination that is in danger of vanishing than they would be to go to another equal destination that offers nothing but ongoing positives. Scarcity increases perceived value loss aversion marketing contains one other powerful factor a sense of urgency. The go before it goes pitch nudges more and more people to increase travel to vulnerable destinations. And therein lies a paradox. Tourism revenue often funds conservation projects, research initiatives and ecosystem management. However, the question can this tourism revenue offset the environmental damage caused by tourism, including the greenhouse gases caused by travel and the degradation of the vulnerable ecosystem when millions of tourists tread on it every year? If you were awake in your high school history class, you may remember that Sir John Franklin and his crew of 129 members set out on a voyage in 1845 to try and find the fabled Northwest Passage through the Arctic, creating a shortcut from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Back then, ships often froze in place as the bitter Arctic temperatures created massive ice fields. Franklin's expedition never returned. 170 years later, the passage was mapped. Today, you can Take small expedition cruises through the Northwest Passage rather than last chance tourism. It might be called first chance tourism because climate change has made travel viable. The thick ice that made passage absolutely impossible for over a century and a half has thawed, creating new navigable routes. It is now possible to do what Franklin never could. Smaller ships, which hold fewer than 200 passengers, can now navigate narrow Arctic waterways without need of an icebreaker. And because retreat of sea ice has been so dramatic, big cruise ships are now arriving. One ship called the Crystal Serenity offers a luxury experience with berths starting at about 22,000 US. Another luxury cruise ship called Seabourn Venture takes her 264 guests to the most remote destinations of the Arctic. The ship also carries two custom built submarines, 24 Zodiac boats and a 24 person expedition team of specialists to explain the wonders of the ice cape and tundra. There are also off ship excursions that include glacier hikes, kayaking and visits to indigenous communities. From 2013 to 2019, melting ice has allowed the number of ships sailing in the Northwest Passage to increase by 44%. And the overall kilometers traveled in the region has doubled. At Beechey island, you can even find the grave sites of three members of Franklin's doomed expedition. But not all last chance tourism happens in cold locales.

[Ryan Reynolds]

Hey, I'm Ryan Reynolds. Recently I asked Mint Mobile's legal team if big wireless companies are allowed to raise prices due to inflation. They said yes. And then when I asked if raising prices technically violates those onerous two year contracts, they said what the are you talking about? You insane Hollywood? So to recap, we're cutting the price of mint unlimited from $30 a month to just $15 a month. Give it a [e-mail] $45 upfront payment.

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[Terry O'Reilly]

The Amazon rainforest is a huge tourist destination. While it's difficult to get exact figures as the rainforest spans nine countries, it is estimated that several million people visit each year. The Amazon river is approximately 6,400 kilometers or 4,000 miles long. It is the world's largest river basin and it runs through the rainforest. The Amazon rainforest is also one of the world's most important ecosystems. As it regulates the global climate. It has been called the lungs of the planet. The Amazon rainforest covers an enormous 6.7 million square kilometers. Twice the size of India. It is a wellspring of biodiversity and is home to 10% of the known species on Earth. And incredibly, a new species of animal or plant is discovered there every other day. On average, it is estimated There are over 400 billion trees standing in the Amazon. They influence rainfall cycles in South America and release 20 billion tons of water into the air every day. The Amazon's forests and soil are the world's best climate change warriors as they store an estimated 200 billion tons of greenhouse gases, the equivalent of 10 years worth of global fossil fuel emissions. Yet despite its vital role in Earth's survival, the equivalent of five football fields worth of trees are cut down every minute. The main causes of this deforestation are cattle ranching and agriculture, the building of roads and infrastructure and illegal logging and mining. With a chunk the size of France already gone from the rainforest, it remains a top destination for last chance tourism. Estimates suggest that tourism numbers to the Amazon rainforest are on track to surpass number pre pandemic totals. More and more people want to see the rainforest before it vanishes. But here's an interesting twist. While travel to the endangered destinations is being discouraged in many areas, the rainforest may actually benefit from increased tourism. A recent study revealed that ecotourism in the Amazon, when handled in a sustainable way, is way more profitable than any other use of the rainforest land. The revenue potential is unlimited. In other words, the Amazon is more profitable if left intact. It already contributes $8.2 billion to the Brazil economy alone. Along with ecotourism, Brazil is trying to referee a long standing battle between industries that exploit the rainforest's riches and the Environmentalists who are trying to protect it. A middle way is emerging that links business interests to the Amazon's survival, making its 400 billion trees worth more alive than dead. The idea is to cultivate different sorts of profitable bioeconomy industries. For example, farmers there are starting to cultivate the local jabarandi shrub, which is used in glaucoma medication. The strategy is to lure people away from illegal logging and mining and steer them to sustainable industries that are even more profitable. Similar thinking is happening at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Australia's Great Barrier Reef is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. It is home to thousands of species of marine Life, including over 1500 species of fish and 400 types of coral. It is the world's largest coral reef system, roughly the size of Japan. While an increasing number of destinations fight back against mass tourism, the North Queensland Tourism Department is bucking the trend by encouraging more tourism. But they have a plan. They offer tourists a way to save money by becoming a guardian of the reef. A partnership between Expedia and the Tourism Tropical North Queensland foundation has led to what has been called a world first. While 2 million tourists visit each year, they want to encourage even more tourism to the reef. A website has been created where tourists are invited to dive deep for more rewards. It's a three level incentive system. The first level asks you to watch a video about the reef, after which you can unlock a 10% travel discount. The second level gives you facts about global climate change, after which you enjoy another 15% discount on travel to Australia. Participants who reach the ocean floor on the third level of the website can unlock exclusive experiences like staying at Australia's first underwater hotel and getting 20% off bookings with Expedia. Plus, you can enter a draw to win a trip to the Great Barrier reef. Because only 7% of the Great Barrier Reef's 133,000 square miles is is open to tourism. The Tourism authority protects the area while still inviting more travelers. And the revenue goes to reef preservation. The basic principle is the more people know, the more people will care. And the more people who care about the Great Barrier Reef, the greater the chance of saving it. It's a see it, love it, protect it marketing strategy. Last chance. Tourism isn't confined to the natural wonders of the world. There are also a surprising number of man made landmarks that are in danger of disappearing. The Statue of Liberty could be in danger due to changing sea levels which are rising four times faster on the Atlantic coast than the rest of the US Shoreline. Air pollution is eating away at the Taj Mahal. Egypt's Minister of State for Antiquities affairs has said the pyramids and the Sphinx might disappear by the end of the century due to rising sea levels and extreme weather. These threats trigger loss avoidance, persuading millions of people to travel to vulnerable destinations, urged on by a noticeable trend where tourism companies curate travel packages around the concept of go before it's gone. It all leads to a fundamental paradox. Tourism dollars support conservation, but it might also speed up the very destruction it seeks to prevent. While travel publications like Fotor's issue an annual no list, trying to persuade tourists to stay away from vulnerable places, the list often has the opposite effect. By placing a target on these locations, making them must visit destinations. In the coming years, the success of the tourism industry will be determined by its ability to operate under greater and greater environmental stress, and all of us will have decisions to make. It might be our last chance to end Last Chance tourism When you're under the influence I'm Terry O'Reilly. This episode was recorded in the Terrestream Airstream mobile recording studio. Producer Debbie O'Reilly Chief Sound Engineer Jeff Devine Research Angus Merry under the Influence Theme by Casey Pick, Jeremiah Pick and James Aten Gauden Tunes provided by APM Music let's be social Follow me at Terry oinfluence this podcast is powered by acast. See you next week. Fun Fact Hi, this is Danielle from CBS Newfoundland. Occasionally, polar bears will mate with grizzly bears. These hybrids are called grolar bears or pizzly bears.

[B2B Marketing Dad]

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[Terry O'Reilly]

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[Terry O'Reilly]

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