Last chance tourism and the Great Barrier Reef

Tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) are increasingly motivated by a 'last chance experience,' seeking to witness the reef before its potential decline, according to new research. The study, based on 235 questionnaires with on-site tourists, found that these visitors—termed 'seeking a last chance experience'—display higher environmental consciousness and greater concern for the GBR's health, particularly regarding coral bleaching/disease and climate change. While tourism was ranked as a moderate to low threat, this trend suggests shifting tourist behavior driven by perceived ecological urgency. The findings highlight the need for conservation strategies that address both environmental degradation and the growing influence of last chance tourism on vulnerable ecosystems.

Piggott-McKellar, A. E., & McNamara, K. E. (2016). Last chance tourism and the Great Barrier Reef. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(3), 397–415. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2016.1213849