18 Once-Popular Tourist Attractions Now Criticized for Ethical Reasons
Usually known for their serene beauty and picturesque landscapes, tourist attractions have always been a magnet for people seeking adventure, culture, or a memorable experience. However, some of these destinations garner attention not only for their beauty but also for their controversial nature. Here, we delve into 18 such destinations, exploring the ethical concerns that have led to their criticism.
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Robben Islands, South Africa
Located on the coast of Cape Town, these islands served as a prison for prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, during Apartheid. They were also a Leper colony in the 1800s. Now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site and museum, they reflect on Africa’s history of racial segregation and its struggle for freedom.
Killing Fields, Cambodia
The Killing Fields close to Phnom Penh are a sad reminder of the terrible things that happened during the time of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s. There are many graves and places to remember the people who died during the genocide, where millions of Cambodians lost their lives. Millions of people used to visit the fields without proper respect and knowledge about the place, making this a controversial tourist attraction.
Mount Everest, Nepal/Tibet
The world’s highest Mountain peak is not primarily a tourist destination, Still, every year, a tremendous number of climbers go there to climb the peak and immortalize their names in history. This has led to immense environmental degradation over time and several deaths, not to mention the local communities of Sherpa, which also suffer due to this ever-increasing number of adventurers. These concerns have led to criticism of the commercialization of the peak.
Alcatraz Islands, USA
Alcatraz Island used to have a scary prison where the worst of the worst were kept. Now, it’s an excellent spot for tourists in San Francisco Bay. Some people say it’s wrong to make a tourist attraction out of a place where people suffered so much. But many other folks want to visit because they’re curious about the famous prisoners and their daring escape attempts.
Chu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam
This historical Landmark is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Viet Cong soldiers dug the tunnels during the Vietnam War as a way to move undetected and to launch surprise attacks. Despite being commercialized as a tourist attraction by the government, the tunnels remain a testament to the immense bloodshed and carnage of the war.
Padung Karen Reserve, Thailand
The Padung Karen are indigenous women living in a village on a hill in Thailand. The government doesn’t see them as citizens, so they can’t own land, vote, or get free healthcare. A particular area near Chiang Rai was made just for tourists to visit. These women wear brass rings around their necks to make them look longer. Some people think that this is just exploiting them for show, especially when it’s not clear if the women can leave or if they’re okay with being part of a tourist attraction.
Plastinarium, Germany
This controversial museum in Guben, Germany, should be marketed with a disclaimer, as it is not for people with a weak heart or stomach. The museum opened in 2006 to educate and intrigue people about plastination processes and dissection techniques. Hence, the museum displays an assortment of humans and animals that have been brutally dissected in the name of teaching science.
The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
This Renaissance masterpiece showcases the best of Michelangelo’s works, including ‘The Creation of Adam’. The chapel alone draws about 40,000 tourists daily, who travel from all around the world to merely get a glimpse of the magical creation. This overload of tourists in the world’s smallest country and climate change’s effects pose risks to the delicate frescoes of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, requiring measures to preserve this cultural treasure for future generations.
Devil’s Island, French Guiana
In the 1800s and 1900s, a prison called Devil’s Island existed in French Guiana. It held French political prisoners who were sent away from their homeland. The conditions were insensitive, and many prisoners suffered and died. Despite being a popular tourist spot in French Guiana in the past, Devil’s Island is now being criticized for its dark and controversial history.
Mount Rushmore, USA
Native American tribes, especially the Lakota Sioux, have criticized Mount Rushmore since it was built. They see it as a symbol of white supremacy. The government had promised the Lakota Sioux the Black Hills, which were sacred to them but later took the land back when gold was found there. Then, they allowed Mount Rushmore to be constructed, which did not sit well with the community’s people.
Machu Pichu, Peru
Machu Picchu is Peru’s most popular tourist spot, bringing in lots of money for the country. However, many people think too many tourists visit, which is causing damage to the ancient site. This former capital of the Inca empire brings in about 2,500 tourists daily, mainly from Cusco. The constant footsteps are slowly damaging the place. In 2008, experts said Machu Picchu had serious issues like deforestation, landslides, and people building illegally there.
Georgia’s Stone Mountain Memorial, USA
In Georgia, there’s a massive stone memorial that’s very popular with tourists. It’s the most enormous bas-relief sculpture globally and took 56 years to finish. But it has ties to the KKK and the Confederate flag, which have both been criticized a lot. Because of this, the memorial has also been questioned and looked at with eyes of scrutiny.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Too many tourists are harming the world’s top diving spot. They’re breaking delicate corals by walking on the reef, using anchors, and polluting with fuel and other waste from boats. Even the sweat and sunscreen from people in the water are harming its fragile ecosystem. This has led to immense condemnation of the place’s commercialization.
Pripyat, Ukraine
Now a deserted town, Pripyat was once a charming city built in 1970 to accommodate the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant workers. The city had to be abandoned in 1986 as the plant exploded due to a wrong routine drill. The radiation in the city’s atmosphere is still pretty high, and people must sign a waiver before visiting. The city serves as a reminder of the horrible accident and hence has faced criticism for its commercialization.
Sky Burials, Tibet
There’s an old ritual called sky burial in Tibet. It involves placing a dead body on a mountain for birds to eat. Buddhists see it as a way to show that life doesn’t last forever. Lately, tourists have started coming to watch these ceremonies and take pictures and videos. Some people question its ethics if it’s right to turn sky burials into a tourist attraction.
Havis Amanda, Finland
Since 1908, people in Finland have been embarrassed by Ville Vallgren’s naked mermaid statue on Market Square. Women’s rights groups especially don’t like it, saying it makes women seem small and like objects. Also, the sea lions in the statue seem to be teasing the mermaid, which doesn’t support Vallgren’s idea that it represents Finland’s independence from Sweden.
Valley of the Fallen, Spain
Francisco Franco, a dictator, wanted to honor his supporters who died in the Spanish Civil War. So, he told political prisoners to carve a massive basilica into a mountain near Madrid. But lots of Spaniards didn’t like it. And they especially wanted the removal of Franco’s body from the basilica. After many protests and talks, in May 2011, the government set up a group to decide what to do with the basilica.
Fallen Angel, Madrid
In Retiro Park, there’s a statue called “The Fallen Angel” made by Ricardo Bellver. When it was revealed, Catholic leaders were shocked because it was the only statue in the world dedicated to Lucifer, the devil. People even said it was used for satanic rituals in the 1950s. Many priests have tried to eliminate any supposed evil from the statue. To make things more eerie, it stands precisely 666 meters above sea level, known as the number of the Beast in the Bible.
16 Famous Comedians Whose Jokes Are Forbidden in Today’s World
Related: In the ever-evolving comedy landscape, societal norms and sensitivities play a significant role in shaping acceptable humor. Over the years, certain comedians who were once celebrated for their wit and sharp humor have found themselves in hot water for jokes now deemed offensive or inappropriate.
Here are 16 famous comedians whose jokes are forbidden in today’s world.
