Due to the impacts of global warming, popular tourism programs in Patagonia have permanently closed their doors. International media outlets such as Euro News and ET Travel World have reported on the changes in the tourism industry in Patagonia due to the climate crisis.
The scenery of San Rafael National Park / Unsplash
On October 6th, a portion of the Exploradores Glacier in the Laguna San Rafael National Park in Patagonia collapsed. The reason behind this event was the rapid increase in temperatures due to global warming, causing the ice to melt.
Exploradores Glacier is a popular destination for tourists, offering activities such as ice wall climbing and trekking tours on the glacier. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, but on October 31st, the Chilean National Park Service designated the glacier as a permanently restricted area, prohibiting access.
Scientists have stated that, according to drone images, the glacier has been thinning by 0.5 meters each year, and the number of summit crevasses has more than doubled compared to three years ago. They attribute these changes to the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions, leading to higher ocean temperatures.
Trekking on the Exploradores Glacier / Flickr
In response to this, tourism companies that lost their jobs overnight expressed dissatisfaction. Bianca Miranda, who has been conducting Exploradores Glacier exploration programs for a long time, stated, “The current situation requires refunding all reservations until March 2024,” adding, “Having worked in this field for over 10 years, the impact is not only economic but also significant on a psychological level.” She further emphasized, “The glacial terrain is constantly changing,” claiming that it is entirely a normal phenomenon.
Currently, the entire Laguna San Rafael National Park itself is open to the public. The Exploradores Glacier is also accessible for viewing by boat. Some argue that “it is appropriate to restrict access for safety reasons” and suggest that “the opposition from some tourism companies is driven by the desire for economic gain.”
By. Jang Ju Young
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