​ Finally, last-chance tourism takes off

With certain key world leaders seemingly set to upend many conventions in the very near future, it is not surprising that the top travel trend for 2017 is “last chance tourism”. The “better see it while it is still there” principle does demand a second look by people other than millennials, whom a recent survey pinpointed as its leading proponents.

It isn’t quite disaster tourism but some might classify it as a destination heading-for-disaster tourism. Unfortunately, any warning that rushing to follow this trend may precipitate the very fate that put the destination in the “last chance” list is unlikely to deter many from flocking to the see polar bears or disappearing glaciers though their presence may melt Arctic ice faster.

“Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) is evidently a bigger concern than carbon footprints and emission spikes caused by the cumulative efforts by too many people trying to reach remote places. Of course, many determined “ego tourists” salve their conscience on that count by booking themselves into hotels and resorts that support ecological activities.

More than just natural beauty is now endangered in our increasingly uncertain world, from historic and architectural landmarks to relatively under-explored countries. So, lastchance tourism has a wider ambit than ever before in this summer holiday season.