In a world where overtourism has become a growing concern, Lord Howe Island stands as a shining example of a destination that has successfully bucked the trend. This tiny island, just seven miles long, is a veritable oasis of tranquility, where the beaches are empty, and the only sounds that interrupt the serenity come from the island's diverse wildlife.
The secret to this unspoiled landscape lies in a tactic employed by very few other places: a strict cap on the number of tourists allowed to visit at any given time. For over 40 years, Lord Howe has limited the number of visitors to 400, a figure that was arbitrarily set but has since proven to be the key to minimizing the island's environmental impact and creating a one-for-one visitor to local experience, as described by Darcelle Matassoni, a sixth-generation islander who works for the Lord Howe Island Board.
This policy has not come without its challenges, as it means that getting to Lord Howe is no easy feat. Airfares for a return trip to Sydney can run upwards of $666, and in peak summer season, accommodation for two can range from $200 to over $3,000 per night. But for those who make the journey, the rewards are immense.
The island's natural wonders are truly breathtaking, with verdant mountaintops, pristine white-sand beaches, and clear-blue waters teeming with colorful fish. The rainforests are filled with creeping plants, orchids, and birds, while the summit of Mount Gower boasts a rare and endangered cloud forest. The island's most famous endemic export is the Kentia Palm, the world's most popular palm to grow indoors.
The island's residents, many of whom are descendants of the original settlers who arrived in the 1800s, have a deep-rooted commitment to protecting their island's natural heritage. Those families that have been here for those five, six, seven generations have always recognized how special their lifestyle is here, said Ian Hutton, a naturalist and photographer who has lived on the island since 1980.
This commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of life on Lord Howe. The island's electricity is powered by a community solar grid, and residents are required to sort their own waste and bring it to the island's waste management facility. Anything that can't be reused, composted, or recycled is turned into garden mulch.
The island's strict biosecurity measures are also a testament to its dedication to conservation. All imports and visitors are checked, including by sniffer dogs, and hikers are required to scrub their boots to stop the spread of fungus. The island has also carried out successful initiatives to remove introduced predatory species, such as feral pigs, goats, and cats.
Despite these efforts, Lord Howe is not immune to the effects of climate change. The island has experienced several massive coral bleaching events and dieback in the cloud forest, and the increasing frequency of severe weather events threatens its future. But the island's residents remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting their natural wonder, recognizing that their unique lifestyle is a precious gift that must be safeguarded for generations to come.
As the world grapples with the challenges of overtourism, Lord Howe Island stands as a shining example of how a destination can balance the needs of its residents and the environment with the desire to share its beauty with visitors. It is a testament to the power of sustainable tourism and the unwavering dedication of a community that has made preserving their natural heritage its top priority.
