What happens when tourism fades away?
If you lived in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Switzerland, 40 years ago, chances are good you were involved in ski tourism connected to the Super Saint-Bernard resort. The slopes attracted international skiers, locals depended on the jobs it created, and the village’s identity revolved around the winter season.
Then came the shift. Climate change reduced snowfall, and by 2010, the resort shut its doors. The lifts stand still, the trails are overgrown, and the once-bustling village now survives on a mix of traditional farming and a trickle of tourists passing through the Grand Saint Bernard Pass.
Bourg-Saint-Pierre isn’t alone. Around the world, abandoned tourism destinations echo the same cautionary tale, a reliance on a single resource or industry that, once gone, leaves communities searching for a new purpose.
The global graveyard of tourism (some of them)
Berthoud Pass Ski Area, Colorado, USA
This small ski resort in the Rocky Mountains closed in 2001 due to financial challenges and declining snowfall. Once a beloved destination for skiers, it now lies abandoned, a stark reminder of how climate and economics can cripple an industry.Ski Apache, New Mexico, USA
Once a thriving ski destination, Ski Apache has struggled with shorter winters and unreliable snowfall in recent years. Though not completely abandoned, large sections of the resort remain unused, a casualty of warming temperatures in the American Southwest.Super Saint-Bernard, Switzerland
A prime example of climate change’s impact on tourism, this ski resort near the Grand Saint Bernard Pass shut down in 2010. Reduced snowfall made it unsustainable, and the once-bustling destination is now a shadow of its former self.Chacaltaya Ski Resort, Bolivia
Once the highest ski resort in the world, Chacaltaya relied entirely on a glacier that melted completely by 2009. Today, the remains of the resort stand as a haunting testament to the effects of climate change.Xiaolangdi Reservoir Park, China
This popular tourist area was once known for its beautiful reservoir and boating activities. However, sedimentation and environmental changes have drastically reduced the water levels, leaving it abandoned.Vagli di Sotto, Italy
This picturesque village was intentionally submerged under a reservoir in the 1950s. When the water level dropped in later years, it re-emerged, drawing tourists to its eerie ruins. Today, it’s mostly forgotten, as environmental changes make access inconsistent.Kayaköy, Turkey
A once-thriving Greek village abandoned during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923. It now stands empty, a relic of political decisions and shifting demographics.Epecuén, Argentina
This lakeside resort town was submerged by flooding in the 1980s, leaving ruins that only recently re-emerged. It’s now an abandoned destination, drawing curiosity rather than visitors.San Zhi UFO Houses, Taiwan
These futuristic pod-like homes were part of an ambitious tourist resort project in the 1980s. Construction was halted due to financial problems and accidents, leaving the eerie structures abandoned.Varosha, Cyprus
Once a glittering tourist hotspot, this beachfront area in Famagusta was abandoned following the Turkish invasion in 1974. Decades later, it remains largely deserted, a symbol of unresolved conflict.
What’s the Lesson?
In each case, communities built their identities, economies, and futures around tourism. When the resource disappeared, be it snow, water, or political stability their lifeline was cut.
Tourism is powerful, but it’s also fragile. Climate change, resource depletion, political instability, and changing consumer trends can all shift the tides in ways no one anticipates.
Places like Bourg-Saint-Pierre remind us of the risks of putting all our eggs in one basket. Diversification isn’t just good business, it’s survival.
The future of tourism must look beyond single industries and focus on resilience. By investing in sustainable practices, local culture, and diversified economies, communities can prepare for the unexpected.
Abandoned destinations are more than ghostly attractions; they’re warnings. The question is, will we listen?
These are not the last abandoned tourist destinations.
