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Abstract

  • The paper addresses ethical challenges in last chance tourism (LCT) using virtue ethics and ethics of care.

  • Survey results indicate that visitors to climate-threatened destinations often lack willingness to engage in carbon offsetting, which is influenced by their connection to the place.

  • Discusses six distinct profiles of last chance tourists based on their perceptions of environmental risk and stewardship.

Introduction

  • LCT markets involve a paradox where visitors are drawn to remote destinations expected to decline due to climate change.

  • Visitors often express a desire for authentic experiences yet contribute to ecological damage through their travel.

  • The paper advocates for using moral theories, including virtue ethics, to navigate the complexities of tourism and environmental issues.

Last Chance Tourism (LCT) as an Ethical Paradox

  • LCT is defined as travel to destinations at risk of disappearing due to climate change.

  • Connectivity to nature leads tourists to visit these places while also implicating them in the climate crisis.

  • The motivations for such tourism reflect a broader concern for ethical consumption in the tourism sector.

Ethical Consumption in Tourism

  • Demand for LCT is based on experiences tied to declining natural features, similar to phenomena like doom and disaster tourism.

  • Ethical consumption in tourism (meaning decisions influenced by ethical concerns) poses complex decision-making challenges for consumers.

  • The tensions between ethical consumption and pleasure-seeking in tourism are highlighted.

Ethical Challenges of the Last Chance Paradox

  • The ethical challenge is whether travelers recognize and respond to the harm they cause.

  • Virtue ethics emphasizes moral character and the pursuit of virtues that contribute to personal and community well-being, leading to sustainable practices.

  • The necessity of combining virtue ethics with an ethics of care approach is discussed in tourism contexts.

The Role of Carbon Offsetting

  • Carbon offsetting serves as a response to climate threats, allowing tourists to mitigate their travel impact through financial contributions to sustainability projects.

  • Critiques emphasize that carbon offsetting may only obscure deeper relational and ethical issues.

  • Ethical behaviors in tourism must transcend carbon equations and engage with socio-ecological health and sustainability.

Case Studies: Churchill, Manitoba and Jasper National Park

  • Analysis of visitor profiles through surveys from these two climate-threatened places illustrates varying degrees of concern for climate change and willingness to engage in carbon offsetting.

  • Findings highlight demographic differences, such as educational levels and gender, in perceptions of climate change responses.

Visitor Segmentation Profiles

  • Developed visitor segments based on their concerns about climate change and their willingness to purchase carbon offsets, revealing distinct behaviors and characteristics.

  • Each profile reflects differing levels of environmental awareness and personal connection to the destination.

Cultural and Social Dynamics in Last Chance Tourism

  • The emotional relationship with visited places can either foster a sense of stewardship or create challenges in moral engagement with climate concerns.

  • Gender differences in willingness to engage with carbon offsetting and environmental action were observed.

Conclusion

  • Most tourists indicated a lack of follow-through in carbon offsetting despite recognizing the climate threat, revealing weak ethics in caring for destinations.

  • Future research should consider diverse pathways to express care and promote ethical tourism conducive to the well-being of destinations.

  • Storytelling and scientific engagement may bridge emotional connections to promote stewardship.