Travel is at a tipping point. Tourists are unintentionally destroying the very things they have come to see. Overtourism has magnified its impact on the environment, wildlife, and vulnerable communities around the globe. Filmed in over 16 countries and guided by the world’s leading tourism and conservation visionaries, THE LAST TOURIST reveals the real conditions and consequences of one of the largest industries worldwide through the forgotten voices of those working in its shadow. The role of the modern tourist is on trial.
Author, Overbooked: The Exploding Business of Travel and Tourism
Founder, Save Elephant Foundation
Editor at Large, National Geographic Traveler
Professor, Ryerson University
Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
Executive Director, Center for Responsible Travel
Founder, Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda
CEO, National Geographic Partners
Campaign Director, World Animal Protection
Founder, Pimpilala Lodge
Founder, G Adventures
Founder, Ccaccaccollo Women's Weaving Cooperative
CEO, Destination Stewardship Center
Founder, Sakha Cabs For Women
Editor in Chief, Travel Weekly
As a filmmaker, I’ve had the privilege of travelling to some of the world’s most remote, fragile, and beautiful places. These experiences have shaped me but also given me a sense of responsibility for ensuring that future generations can experience these wonders.
Over the past 3 years, this film took us on a journey to 14 different countries where we interviewed dozens of leading travel experts, tour operators, academics, as well as travellers and service workers in host communities who are leveraging tourism to improve their quality of life. In the process, we amassed nearly 400 hours of footage that was edited into a 90 minute film that pulls back the curtain and shows us the true cost of travel – on the environment, wildlife, and host communities.
The process of creating this film has been an incredible learning and growth experience. The miracle intersection of technology and modern travel allows us to book a flight with the click of a button and board a plane to virtually every corner of the globe – but isn’t without its challenges. Massive crowds of tourists are causing environmental degradation, dangerous conditions, as well as the economic impoverishment and pricing-out of locals. We need to rethink the way we travel or else our impact will be irreversible.
Despite the harsh impacts that travel can have on our planet, travel is also a force for good. It’s a universal language that connects people regardless of their age or their gender or their income or where they come from. And if we actually get out into the world and explore it, we uncover amazing things and make ourselves better people and hopefully have a positive impact too.
This filmmaking journey culminated during a global pandemic where international travel has been virtually halted. As the world slowly opens its borders again, we, as travellers, have the opportunity to be the driving force that paves a new way to travel. A more thoughtful way that protects both people and places, and secures a positive future for destinations and host communities for generations to come.
Director & Writer
Editor and Writer
Director of Photography
Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Composer, Original Score
Composer, Original Score
Sound Editor and Sound Designer
Producer
CO-PRODUCERS
Dave Daga, Kyle Jordan, Lauren Michell & Ashley Monaghan
Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE photo credit: Marco Grob