In the heart of the South Pacific there is a crystal clear archipelago and white sands, but it remains the least visited country in the world. It is called Tuvalu, has just over 11 thousand inhabitants and, despite the paradise beaches, receives fewer tourists a year than North Korea, according to Zap Notícias.
An almost unknown destination
Tuvalu occupies only 26 square kilometers shared by nine small islands. Located between Hawaii and Australia, it remains one of the most isolated countries on the planet. By 2021, only 40 visitors officially registered entry into the territory and, even in the best years, the number rarely exceeds two hundred.
The paradise beaches, coral reefs and marine biodiversity could make this archipelago a dream destination. But the reality is different: Tuvalu does not bet on large -scale tourism, nor does it intend to turn into a resort hub, as the same source refers.
Why does almost no one go to Tuvalu?
The main obstacle is access. There are few weekly flights, almost always from Fiji, and tourist infrastructures are reduced. In Funafuti, the capital, there is only one main road, little movement and few accommodation options.
The lack of international promotion contributes to the invisibility of the country. Unlike popular Pacific destinations, such as Philippines or Caribbean, Tuvalu has never consolidated a tourist industry.
Threat of climate change
More than the absence of tourists, Tuvalu’s great challenge, according to the source mentioned above, is the rising sea level. The archipelago has an average altitude of just two meters above the water line, becoming one of the territories most vulnerable to climate change.
Local government has warned of several international summits to the risk of disappearance of the islands, which became a symbol of small nations struggle against the global environmental crisis.
A preserved way of life
Community life remains close to traditions, gastronomy is based on local ingredients such as coconut, fish and breadfruit, and the absence of crowds allows us to know the polynesia culture closely.
According to the, there are also historical brands of World War II spread across the territory, such as bunkers and American planes abandoned in the Pacific.
Tourism: solution or threat?
The population is divided. Some argue that tourism could reinforce the economy and give visibility to the fight against global warming. Others fear that tourism development can endanger the fragile social and ecological harmony.
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