Endangered destinations highlighted

Viyrunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Wanderlust magazine issues list of destinations that are in danger of losing their charm

Rapid development, booming visitor numbers and political strife are just some of the issues highlighted by Wanderlust’s endangered destinations list.

Said Lyn Hughes, the magazine’s editor:   “Tourism can be a double edged sword for destinations. At the same time as supporting local communities, if things aren’t managed properly the negatives can soon outweigh the positives creating major environmental and cultural issues. Wadi Rum in Jordan is a case in point – it appears on our list for a second year in a row as uncontrolled tourism is fast threatening to spoil this unique destination.”

This is the third year of the Threatened Wonders List. In 2010 Stonehenge in the UK, Wadi Rum in Jordan, Tulum in Mexico, Yangshuo in China, Timbuktu in Mali, Bay of Fires in Tasmania, Macchu Picchu in Peru, Jaisalmer in India, Zimbabwe, North-East Thailand and Madagascar made the list.

Endangered destinations list 2011:

See full list at:http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/planatrip/inspire-me/lists/endangered-destinations-2011

Three Peaks Challenge UK
The challenge to ascend the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland within 24 hours, often for charity, has become hugely popular. But in their rush to reach the summits of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis, some participants leave litter, drive dangerously, disturb local residents’ sleep and contribute little to local communities.

Borough Market UK
Visitors have swelled to 4.5 million a year and many tourists come purely to take pictures rather than spend money.

Wadi Rum, Jordan
Declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in June 2011, Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley has become an increasingly popular tourist spot but limited infrastructure has led to a lack of environmental protection.

Viyrunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo
Africa’s oldest national park – home to more than one-fifth of the world’s 700 critically endangered mountain gorillas – is at risk from armed militia, local politicians and proposed oil drilling.

Riga, Latvia
Hordes of rowdy British stags and hens descend on the World Heritage Site of Riga’s city centre every weekend and are destroying the atmosphere of the historic centre.

Çoruh River, Turkey
The river is a white-water kayaking destination but water-sports-lovers can no longer navigate the entire river without portaging around two hydroelectric dams, with 11 more due to be constructed. The wildlife rich area surrounding the river would be dramatically changed by the plan.

Beijing Hutongs, China
Beijing’s Hutongs, the old alleys of courtyard houses that have been part of the city’s fabric since 1279, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to unchecked development.

Lamu, Kenya
Ancient dhows traversing the sleepy straits between Lamu and the Kenyan mainland could soon be jostling with cargo ships and oil tankers if the planned £16 million development turning Lamu into Kenya's second biggest deepwater harbour goes ahead.

Madagascar
The African island’s unique fauna is under unprecedented threat from civil unrest, corruption and the overexploitation of resources. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has declared the Malagasy ecosystem one of the most threatened in the world.

New York, USA
America’s most iconic city is shedding its own icons at an alarming rate: its world-famous yellow cabs are being replaced by minivans, and the Statue of Liberty is now a less popular photo opportunity for visitors than the Apple Store on 5th Avenue.

Valere Tjolle: Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE