🎬 Opening Scene
A woman, with a wide-brimmed hat and a camera in hand, stands in an open jeep in the middle of the African savannah. In front of her, a group of lions rests under the sparse shade of a tree, oblivious to the murmur of engines and camera clicks. The scene, which might once have been an intimate moment of connection with the wild, is now surrounded by a line of tourist vehicles that turn the landscape into a collective spectacle.
🏛️ Origin
From Hidden Trails to Guided Paths
Have you ever wondered when the idea of selling nature as a tourist experience began? It all started more than a century ago, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the creation of the first national parks in the United States and Europe. Iconic places like Yellowstone or Yosemite weren't just about protecting unique landscapes; they also had a curious goal: weren't they trying to attract visitors to immerse themselves in a sublime and untouched experience? Suddenly, nature became something you could visit.
In Africa, safaris transformed following a similar logic. What was once an elite hunting practice during the colonial era gradually turned into a photo safari. The trophy was no longer the animal's hide, but the perfect picture. It's fascinating to think how fauna went from being a mere resource to a living spectacle you could consume without firing a shot.
With the arrival of mass tourism in the 20th century, this trend exploded. Natural destinations became something like open-air theme parks. Can you imagine nature organized with marked trails, strategic viewpoints, and guided tours? Thus, nature was prepared to be explored, photographed, and, of course, shared.
🔬The Phenomenon
Have you noticed how nature is no longer just something to contemplate? It's now scheduled, booked, and experienced as a curated spectacle for thousands of visitors.
In the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu welcomes over a million tourists each year, making it one of the most visited wonders on the planet. Its sunrises gather crowds who move in organized lines, with numbered tickets and limited visiting times to reduce environmental impact.
In the African savanna, safaris mobilize over 30 million visitors annually across the continent. Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa lead this experience, where parks like the Serengeti or Kruger become open-air stages. A lion resting in the shade or a herd of elephants crossing the road are unique scenes that cameras try to capture, but the live experience always surpasses the image.
Further east, in Asia, Bali (Indonesia) attracts more than 5 million annual travelers. Amidst beaches, rice paddies, and temples that have become Instagram icons, the island has transformed into a stage where nature is enjoyed, shared, and multiplied on social media until it becomes a global desire.
