CLIMATE change has taken aim at the travel industry since the turn of the millennium, and not even the lowest-impact sectors are safe.
Adventure travel company World Expeditions Group (WEG) was recently forced to make key changes to its Great Himalaya Trails, which will see next year’s departures delayed by two weeks.
Global warming has led to snowfall at higher levels of the Himalayas in the last few years, occurring later in the season.
The higher temperatures means the snow does not freeze, posing a greater challenge for trekkers, including a higher avalanche risk, as well as heavy snow.
World Expeditions has also sent additional climbing sherpas and support team members to assist in breaking trails and supporting this year’s trekkers.
Next year’s trail, which will depart from March, takes five months to complete, and runs for almost 2,500 kilometres.
However, the Great Himalaya Trail is not the only itinerary operated by WEG which is being altered due to climate change.
WEG’s UTracks brand is now scheduling its guided trips in Southern Europe outside of July and August, as the continent’s summer months become hotter.
Planning trips outside of the continent’s peak season also allows UTracks to steer clear of its busiest time of year, and avoid adding to the problem of overtourism.
“UTracks trips are naturally responsible in terms of taking travellers into regional areas, spreading the tourism dollar rather than focusing it just on main cities,” General Manager Kate Baker told travelBulletin.
“Whilst our travellers may begin and end their trip in a city, while they are cycling or walking they are staying in smaller towns which are often bypassed by more conventional tourists.”
Despite its comparably minimal impact on the planet, UTracks makes sure to find ground it can make up where possible.
“In alpine areas we use mules to transport luggage between refuges,” Baker explained.
“This means our groups are self-sufficient in the mountains without the need to use vehicles for the most part.”
Intrepid is another operator which has moved some of its hikes to cooler, off-season months such as September and October – and has even cancelled others.
“The biggest challenges adventure travel companies face due to climate change would be the increasing unpredictability of weather patterns, which often disrupt travel plans and reduce the accessibility of certain destinations,” Managing Director Brett Mitchell told tB.
“Our trips are designed to reduce environmental impact in a number of ways, such as utilising local transport, supporting green accommodations, and focusing on creating immersive, culturally enriching experiences that benefit local communities and advance conservation efforts.”
However, taking passengers to explore the world also allows travel companies to have a positive effect on the destinations they visit, such as Intrepid’s work with local government and conservation groups in Madagascar.
“We’ve supported reforestation projects that not only help combat deforestation but also create sustainable livelihoods for local communities,” Mitchell said.
“This initiative has led to the planting of thousands of trees, restoring vital habitats and promoting biodiversity.”
Intrepid also supports marine protected areas and sustainable fishing practices in Indonesia, where it helps safeguard critical coral reefs and marine life, which are increasingly threatened by climate change.
“This collaboration has also fostered community involvement, creating jobs and raising awareness about the importance of marine conservation,” Mitchell added.
Unfortunately, in other destinations, the fatal damage may have already been done.
Intrepid has said it has already seeing a decline in demand for the Great Barrier Reef, where coral bleaching has decreased its visitation appeal.
Conversely, destinations which are emphasising sustainability, such as Costa Rica and Iceland, have seen an increase in popularity.
“Adventure travellers are increasingly drawn to regions that promote responsible tourism and have visible conservation efforts,” Mitchell said.
“This shift in demand underscores the growing importance of environmental consciousness in travel choices, a movement that we’re fully committed to.”
Climate change dealing a death blow to a destination is not often apparent until after the fact; let’s hope some of tourism’s prized jewels – such as the Great Himalaya Trail – have not taken their final breaths.
