The Last Tourist

During the COVID-19 pandemic, locals in developing countries used the lull in tourism to create sustainable initiatives that change the way we travel

Before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the world’s tourist industry, tourism in the modern era had reached a breaking point. From animals abused in the name of entertainment to the exploitation of orphaned children, economies in developing countries were both dependent on and suffering at the whims of mass tourism and foreign-owned companies. In the aftermath of the pandemic, an opportunity to change the way tourism is done in the developing world emerged, and many local heroes are now pioneering initiatives to support wildlife and sustainable living in their countries, while still welcoming tourists.