Reaching Peaks in Patagonia: A Tale of Sustainable Trails?
A Podcast-Interview
12.08.2024
By Myriam Aichinger
Supervisor: Dr. Anna-Maria Walter
My final project investigates the sustainability challenges posed by mass tourism in Patagonia, a region spanning parts of Argentina and Chile. Motivated by my travels in these countries, I sought to delve deeper into how tourism affects the local environment and communities. The primary goals of this project were to make the complex issue of mass tourism in Patagonia more accessible to the general public and to highlight and amplify the voices of locals who live with the daily impacts of tourism. To achieve these goals, I chose the podcast format, as it allows for a dynamic and engaging way to convey information and personal stories. By combining an interview with a local guide with a comprehensive literature review, the podcast aims to bridge the gap between academic research and local experiences. He provided valuable insights into the environmental degradation caused by tourism, such as water pollution and the challenges faced by park rangers. His quite literal and detailed descriptions brought a human element to the scientific data, making the issues more relatable. Thus, the project demonstrated that effective communication involves not just presenting data but also telling the stories of those directly affected. It highlighted the need for innovative methods to make scientific issues more accessible to the public, thereby enhancing the impact and relevance of academic work.