The environmental and personal hazards of frontier tourism

Adventure travelers used to represent an elite group of intrepid travelers willing to go to nearly any extreme in pursuit of an extraordinary trip.

Climbing Mount Everest? No problem.

Booking a trip to space with Virgin Galactic? Par for the course.

But more recently, according to the travel insurance platform InsureMyTrip, the ranks of adventure travelers are swelling as average travelers increasingly seek to explore uncharted territories as well.

Once satisfied by perhaps a theme park vacation or a sun-soaked beach getaway, average travelers are pursuing unforgettable thrills themselves, say the experts at InsureMyTrip.

“Frontier tourism,” as it has been dubbed, is rapidly gaining traction with the rank-and-file vacation enthusiast — and this emerging dynamic is not without risk for both the planet and the traveler.

“Storm chasing, climbing Mount Everest, and visiting undiscovered areas of Earth and beyond are on the itinerary. However, due to unforgiving conditions, these destinations often pose fatal dangers,” says Sarah Webber, an expert with InsureMyTrip.

To space and beyond

As far-fetched as it may seem, space travel is among the experiences that are now generating more widespread appeal. The space tourism industry is expected to be a $3 billion industry by 2030, according to The New York Times.

The publication reported that everything from zero-pressure balloon trips to astronaut boot camps is growing in demand as travelers increasingly seek to get off the planet, or pretend to do so. For those with deep pockets, the options may also include booking a 90-minute trip to space with Virgin Galactic for a mere $450,000.

While a space flight with Sir Richard Branson’s company might certainly be unforgettable, there are also some not-so-ideal health ramifications to consider.

“The extraordinary experience comes with the harsh impacts of radiation and altered gravity on the body,” says Webber. “The change in gravity can put an incredible amount of pressure on the body, increasing the risk of a heart attack.”

Space tourists are also exposed to cosmic rays, which can damage cells and DNA, increasing the risks of cataracts and cancer, Webber adds.

Yet another aspect of frontier tourism involves travelers exploring environments on this planet that remain largely untouched by modernization.

However, increased travel to these areas of Earth also drives pollution and disrupts the sensitive balance of local ecosystems, suggests Webber.

The ultimate hiking quest, climbing Mount Everest, for instance, provides a vivid example of this reality. Treks to the legendary summit have seen an enormous spike in interest in recent years.

That has led to 2023 being the deadliest season ever among those attempting the summit. ExpedReview reported that some 600 people summited the peak of Everest last year, a figure that included 350 Sherpas and 250 clients. Yet last year’s figures also included the death of 13 climbers and Sherpas. What’s more, four people remain missing and are presumed dead.

That’s not the only concerning element associated with the growing penchant for frontier tourism as it relates to Everest.

The beleaguered and overcrowded mountain is left strewn with some 75 tons of waste each season at its base camp. Farther up the mountain, beyond base camp, another 50 tons of waste are left by travelers seeking to make it to the mountain’s peak.

“The situation is so critical that climbers are told to carry their feces to protect the environment,” continues Webber.

Increased carbon impacts

Frontier tourism is also having a detrimental impact on fragile destinations such as Antarctica and parts of the Arctic, both of which have experienced increased interest and traffic in recent years.

The draw of these stunning locations is, of course, the opportunity to see breathtaking glaciers and diverse wildlife, particularly as the rapidly warming planet lays waste to those very glaciers and makes survival ever more difficult for the region’s wildlife.

But it’s a vicious cycle. The growing crowds scurrying to see such remarkable landscapes before they disappear are doing more harm than good in the form of an even larger carbon footprint, one that’s exacerbating global warming issues further while also negatively impacting the region’s wildlife.

Research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released in June 2023 points out:

Between 1992 and 2020 the number of tourists visiting Antarctica increased tenfold, and those figures continue to grow. As a result, the negative environmental impacts of tourism are likely to increase.

Existing regulations for the region do not adequately protect the environment of Antarctica from tourism impacts, which include damage at visitor sites and along travel routes, and the disturbance of wildlife.

The report goes on to stress that growing tourism arrivals are causing penguin species to change their reproductive and social behaviors.

“Antarctic tourism has both positive and negative impacts,” says the IUCN report. “The Antarctic tourist experience can be both inspirational and educational, fostering public support and investment for the continent’s protection.”

“However, as the Antarctic tourism industry grows and diversifies, the severity of its negative environmental impacts is likely to increase,” the report adds. “If left unchecked, these impacts will be exacerbated by the effects of climate change”

The future of frontier tourism

So is frontier tourism a development that’s likely to continue growing unchecked, as the IUCN report fears?

Webber seems to think the development is not likely to subside anytime soon, suggesting it’s something more than a fleeting trend.

“As more travelers seek to push their boundaries and explore the world’s last frontiers, this trend is set to grow,” she says. “The call of the wild continues to captivate the hearts of daring explorers. The rewards for those ready to answer this call can be immense — unparalleled beauty, profound personal growth, and stories that will last a lifetime.”

This type of tourism also requires “high responsibility from tourists and tour operators,” adds Webber, including:

—Prepare thoroughly: Adequate diet, training, and health assessments are essential to ensure that your body is properly prepared for extreme environments.

—Respect the environment: Be sure to thoroughly research environmental preservation techniques to reduce your impact during your travels.

—Be aware of the risks involved: Traveling to uncharted territories comes with a host of risks. Ensure that you have adequate travel insurance that can provide medical assistance in the event of emergencies.

—Travel with experts: Ensure the adventure guides and consultants you travel with prioritize nature and biodiversity to minimize the negative impact. It’s also essential to travel with guides that prioritize safety and don’t take unnecessary risks.