5 Places To See In 2013 Before They Disappear {Gadling}

Feb 20th 2013 1:42AM Bragging rights aside - if no tourism existed in these areas, what industry would you rather these countries turn to?

Palm oil as in Borneo?
Manufacturing such as in China?
Commercial Fishing such as Thailand?

These countries have the right to develop and earn income from tourism just like any other nation in the world.

Sustainable tourism isn't just needed at the user level (which I agree, tourists can be ignorant to the issues) but at the grass roots and government.

Ideas such as limiting the amount of visitors per annum
Providing sustainable built eco lodges
Building up second and third sustainable industries, so no over reliance on tourism
Supporting the development of aircraft technology that emits less emissions e.g. tax airlines that don't use new aircraft.

By the way it doesn't matter if tourists/travellers are collecting stamps or accomplishment - traveling is such a personal thing and each to their own.

On a side note: It would nice if the author of this article provided some proactive organizations/suggestions that tourist could get involved in to help prevent these issues as opposed to suggesting that these places are dead in the water already.