Glaciers in Retreat: Uncovering Tourism's Contradictions

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https://www.unil.ch/news/en/1770649610530

As glaciers around the world melt at unprecedented rates, tourism in these icy landscapes is booming, adding pressure to vulnerable regions and disrupting delicate ecosystems. A collective effort, led by UNIL, points to ways of balancing tourism with conservation, awareness, and social equity.

Published on 09 Feb 2026

Since the 18th century, glaciers have captivated mountaineers, scientists, and nature enthusiasts alike. In recent years, this tourist interest has surged, fueled by media coverage of their decline due to climate change. Each year, over 14 million visitors (drawn by fascination, scientific curiosity, and ecological mourning) travel to the world’s most famous glaciers, generating significant revenue for some sectors while paradoxically increasing pressure on already fragile regions.

Global experts on glacier tourism, including Emmanuel Salim, an associate researcher at UNIL’s Institute of Geography and Sustainability, have published a new perspective article in Nature Climate Change, providing an overview of the cultural and tourism dynamics surrounding glaciers. The article outlines ways to prevent maladaptation strategies from spreading, that is, tourism or government responses that, instead of raising awareness and reducing vulnerability, end up worsening conditions for local communities and ecosystems.

The Problem of Last-Chance Tourism

The analysis highlights the rise of “last-chance” tourism, a rush driven by the loss that paradoxically harms the very ecosystems visitors come to admire. In some locations, this has led to the construction of new access walkways, the installation of geotextile coverings, and even helicopter tours around glaciers. The last one being a perfect example of maladaptive practices within the tourism sector.

Often driven by economic interests, these solutions neither raise awareness of the underlying causes of glacier loss nor address safety concerns or water access for local communities. « It is particularly the case in regions such as Alaska, Greenland, and Antarctica,” explains Emmanuel Salim, the study’s lead author. “Many tourists will simply move on to the next popular destination once the glaciers are gone.”

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Salim, E., Varnajot, A., Carey, M. et al. Melting glaciers as symbols of tourism paradoxes. Nat. Clim. Chang. 16, 106–108 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-025-02544-2