RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
ADDING A TOXIC STOP TO THE ITINERARY
TAR CREEK, OKLAHOMA, UNITED STATES
Photo: KellyK / Flickr
While disaster tourism is a dark twist on vacationing, visiting sites where damage or destruction has changed the environment and people’s lives can provide greater understanding of the challenges we face and how to do something about them. Toxic Tours at Tar Creek, Oklahoma, takes you on site to see the damage, explains the impact and provides a chance for you to help.
What's
changing
Regions worldwide continue to face environmental and cultural repercussions from historic industrial activities, such as mineral mining and extraction. Community-led initiatives are using advocacy and tourism to highlight these issues, show visitors the lasting impacts and seek support for environmental justice.
What's already
possible
Tar Creek, near Cardin, Oklahoma, is home to Toxic Tours. The program guides visitors through land that has been mined for lead and zinc over hundreds of years and teaches them about the damage left behind.
Seizing
the opportunity
The L.E.A.D. Agency, founded by Earl Hatley and Rebecca Jim, has transformed environmental advocacy into an engaging and educational journey. Through Toxic Tours, participants personally see the affected land and contaminated waterways. These tours catalyze action, using tourism to advocate for significant environmental reforms, empower communities and mobilize people to support and participate in crucial environmental and community-focused initiatives.
Standout
tactic
Toxic Tours includes volunteer activities, so tourists and locals can directly work on environmental conservation efforts.
How
it helps
Toxic Tours has promoted healthier environments and cultural preservation by raising awareness and spurring conservation efforts. Environmentally, they enhance living conditions and stimulate neighborhood improvements. Culturally, they strengthen community bonds and assist Indigenous groups in safely reclaiming their traditional practices away from polluted areas.
Diving
deeper
How can Toxic Tours maintain and amplify its impact, given its niche subject that may not attract many visitors? What strategies can they use to make the topic more engaging and relevant to a broader audience?
Increasing
impact
A transition to a more structured approach and engaging destination marketing organizations could help to extend the reach and effectiveness of this kind of program.
Traveling
better
Travel is inherently carbon intensive. Whether you are taking a mini-break or an annual vacation, consider ways to minimize your impact by staying longer in one place, reconsidering how you travel to the destination, and supporting businesses that are working to make their community and the world a better place.
