The Toll of Tourism: Can Southeast Asia Save Its Prized Natural Areas?

From Thailand to Bali, a huge increase in tourists, many from China and other rapidly developing economies, is straining sensitive ecosystems to the breaking point. Some countries are trying to control the boom, with a few closing popular destinations to allow damaged areas to heal. »

Until recently, many Southeast Asian nations, grateful for new jobs and surging revenue, have done little to address the growing threat to the natural environments that attracted tourists in the first place.

“I would argue that tourism has not only been badly managed in general, it’s not been managed at all,” said Randy Durband, chief executive officer of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. “Southeast Asia is one of the most dramatic regions in the world for the issues we’re talking about.”

Read the full article: The Toll of Tourism: Can Southeast Asia Save Its Prized Natural Areas? by Nithin Coca on Yale Environment 360 (April 18, 2019)