Reducing mass tourism has been a topic of news lately, as cities around the world look for ways to deter crowds and maintain quality of life for local residents.
But there’s one amazing destination that most people have probably never heard of that’s planning to stay out of the spotlight – and it’s been doing so by severely limiting the number of tourists allowed in for up to 40 years.
Welcome to Lord Howe Island – that is, if you’re lucky enough to be one of the 400 people allowed in at one time.
Mark Metcalfe
“The longer we can maintain our uniqueness in this way, the more unique we will be in the world,” said Anthony Riddell, an entrepreneur and sixth-generation islander. CNN.
Located 372 miles off the east coast of Australia, the Jewel Box destination has a permanent population of about 380 people who respect and maintain their home as their ancestors have done for generations.
Tourism first took off in 1947, but by the late 1970s, locals were already aware of the need to protect the island’s unique ecosystem – an effort that helped earn Lord Howe recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage In 1982, local leaders decided to limit tourism – a decision they have stuck to ever since.
It seems to have worked.
Today the island remains filled with rare plants and animals – some found nowhere else in the world – along with the ocean waters surrounding the seven-mile landmass.
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More than 85% of the island is covered by native forests, and about 70% of this is in a permanent reserve, which prevents any development there. According to Lord Howe Environmental Tours.
But thanks to the concerted efforts of locals and conscious tourists, the days of Lord Howe’s natural beauty and wonder are numbered – as climate change, coral bleaching is killing coral reefs and rainforests are dying.
However, that hasn’t stopped the islanders from maintaining their eco-friendly lifestyle or deterring tourists – the destination is booked until 2026.
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Tourists come to swim among the coral reefs, enjoy pristine beaches, hike through cloud forests, and participate in local conservation programs.
Dean Hiscocks, who runs Lord Howe Eco Tours, said people who live on or visit the island have a “united desire to make sure nature comes first”.
“Those families who have been here for five, six, seven generations have always recognized how special their lifestyle is here,” said Ian Houghton, a naturalist and photographer who has lived locally since 1980.
“There is a strong feeling among generations that their island needs to be protected.”
