When Nature Loses Its Visitors: How Wars Devastate the World's Most Beautiful Tourism Destinations

From the gorilla forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Iraq's Mesopotamian Marshes and Ukraine's nature reserves, armed conflicts threaten wildlife, water resources and natural heritage, leaving tourism destinations facing recovery processes that can take decades.

Wars may end and the sounds of gunfire may fall silent, but nature does not recover at the same pace. Forests that have lost their wildlife, lakes affected by pollution and protected areas where trails remain dangerous require far more than the restoration of peace before they can welcome visitors again.

Every year on November 6, the United Nations observes the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict, highlighting the damage inflicted on natural resources and ecosystems during conflicts and the long-term consequences for communities and livelihoods.

For the tourism industry, the losses extend beyond cancelled trips and closed lodges. They also include the deterioration of the natural attractions upon which entire tourism experiences depend.

In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Virunga National Park protects one of the world's most important habitats for mountain gorillas, alongside forests, volcanoes and highlands that have made it a distinctive destination for wildlife enthusiasts.

However, recurring armed conflicts have exposed parts of the park to security and environmental pressures, including illegal hunting, deforestation and threats against conservation personnel. UNESCO placed Virunga on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 1994, a designation that remains in effect.

The park's experience demonstrates that protecting a natural tourism destination also depends on safeguarding rangers, guides and local communities whose livelihoods are connected to natural resources and tourism-related activities.

Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique provides one of the most striking examples of the environmental devastation caused by war.

During the country's civil war between 1977 and 1992, populations of large herbivorous mammals declined by more than 90%, according to scientific research comparing wildlife populations before and after the conflict.

The park closed to tourists in 1983, while its infrastructure suffered extensive damage. Conservation and rehabilitation programmes were subsequently introduced to restore wildlife populations and rebuild tourism facilities. Recovery efforts have included infrastructure reconstruction, ranger training and support for local communities through education, agriculture and environmental conservation initiatives.

Despite significant wildlife recovery, studies have shown that the balance among species has not returned entirely to its pre-war condition, demonstrating that the return of animals does not necessarily mean the full restoration of an ecosystem.

In southern Iraq, the Mesopotamian Marshes represent one of the Arab world's most distinctive natural and cultural landscapes, characterised by traditional mashoof boats, reed houses and habitats for migratory birds.

Large areas of the marshlands were drained over past decades, while changing water flows, dam construction, drought and climate change have created additional pressures.

The consequences extended beyond the loss of natural habitats, affecting communities that depend on fishing, buffalo breeding, agriculture and traditional crafts.

Following 2003, efforts began to reflood parts of the marshlands and restore some of their ecological functions. The site was subsequently inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2016.

However, continuing water-related challenges demonstrate that protecting this destination requires long-term natural resource management rather than tourism development projects disconnected from environmental realities.

In Ukraine, the United Nations Environment Programme has documented extensive environmental damage associated with the war, including water and soil contamination and damage to natural habitats and protected areas.

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 was among the most significant environmental disasters, causing widespread flooding and substantial changes to surrounding waterways and ecosystems. UN assessments have warned that some consequences could persist for decades, particularly those associated with pollution, explosive remnants of war and unexploded ordnance.

Nature-based tourism in such areas faces a dual challenge: rehabilitating damaged sites and ensuring the safety of visitors and tourism workers before activities can resume.

These experiences demonstrate that restoring natural destinations requires rebuilding an interconnected system that includes wildlife protection, water restoration, safe access routes and meaningful community participation.

Responsible tourism can become part of the recovery process when visitor revenues help finance conservation and create employment opportunities, as demonstrated by Gorongosa's rehabilitation experience.

However, tourism alone cannot eliminate pollution or remove the dangerous remnants of conflict. Nor should visitors be encouraged to travel to areas where safety has not yet been restored.

Natural destinations differ fundamentally from conventional tourism infrastructure. A hotel can be rebuilt, but forests, lakes and wildlife populations may require much longer to regain their ecological balance.

For this reason, post-conflict tourism recovery plans should include environmental damage assessments alongside the restoration of airports, hotels and transport networks. Protecting local communities and rebuilding their livelihoods are equally essential to achieving sustainable tourism recovery that extends beyond simply attracting visitors.

The central message of November 6 is clear: protecting nature during armed conflicts is not merely an environmental responsibility. It is also a commitment to safeguarding the future of tourism destinations and the natural heritage passed down through generations.