This Week in Travel: Tourism Madness

#1 An airport at Machu Picchu?

Photo by Aleksandar Popovski on Unsplash

Where: Chinchero, just outside of Machu Picchu.

What: If you wanted to visit Machu Picchu before it was completely overrun (well, at least more overrun than it is right now), you should go ASAP. The Peruvian government has officially broken ground on a nearby airport that would allow direct international flights to the famous ruins. Archaeologists are petitioning the build saying the airport would cause “irreparable damage to the culture of Peru and humanity” through the destruction of landscape and environment.

We’re not all that keen on the noise and air pollution the airport would bring either.

#2 The Easter Island Statues don’t want their noses picked

Image by SoniaJane from Pixabay

Where: Easter Island

What: Ignorant tourists are desecrating the famous Rapa Nui statues of Easter Island. With 150,000 visitors annually, the numbers of tourists who are blatantly disgrading rules are growing. They’re climbing the figures, picking their noses, trampling graves and trespassing on preserved areas all in search of the perfect selfie.

Can we please agree to show proper regard for the world’s history and culture?

Read also: The Most Secluded Places On Earth For The Insatiable Nomad

#3 Man climbs Eiffel Tower – Ruins it for the rest of us

Photo by Chris Coudron on Unsplash

Where: Paris

What: Officials shut down the Eiffel Tower on Monday when a man decided it was his sacred duty to climb the monument. The situation lasted for seven hours, and the man reportedly was able to climb approximately 900 feet up (just below the highest level of the structure).

There has been no word yet on his motivation for climbing the tower, but whatever it is, we’re not impressed.

#4 The world’s biggest cave just got a whole lot bigger

Image from Oxalis Adventure Tours

Where: Son Doong in Vietnam

What: Divers in Vietnam have discovered an underwater tunnel connecting Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, with another colossal cave – Hang Thung. Son Doong on its own is large enough to fit an entire Manhattan block. With the connection between the two caves discovered, the cave measures an estimated 1.4 billion cubic feet.

The discovery of the additional size has been likened to discovering a 1,000-metre high lump on the top of Mount Everest.

Read also: 10 of Southeast Asia’s Most Incredible National Parks.

Elisabeth Forsman

Our predictably unpredictable adventure nomad, Elisabeth is the yogi who wants it fast, the ultra-runner who prefers taking a hike, and the swimmer with a fear of lap pools. A consummate lover of all things outdoors, she’s on a perpetual quest to get those around her outside and moving.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.