Hiking Safety Concerns Raised After Tourism Promotion
· side-hustles
Risky Business: When Tourism Touts Death-Defying Trails as Health Tips
The juxtaposition of a tragic death on Peru’s Inca Trail and a tourism promotion touting a treacherous hike in Tasmania has left many bewildered. On one hand, the news serves as a sobering reminder of the risks involved in hiking, even for seasoned adventurers. On the other hand, Tourism Australia’s social media post promoting the Western Arthurs Traverse as a way to boost daily step counts was met with swift and scathing criticism.
The reality is that any form of hiking carries inherent risks. A 2020 study published in Forensic Science International found that Switzerland averages around 46 fatal hiking accidents every year between 2003 and 2018, while Austria recorded an average of 110 hiker deaths – about half of which were caused by falls – over a similar period.
In Australia, the numbers are lower but still concerning. A 2022 study into deaths during sport and recreation found that there were more fatalities from bushwalking (32) than from rock climbing, mountain biking, or surfing between 2000 and 2019.
Tourism Australia’s promotion of the Western Arthurs Traverse raises questions about their understanding of the risks involved. Were they genuinely oblivious to the dangers, or did they assume their audience would be able to discern the difference between a leisurely stroll and a potentially life-threatening endeavor?
The proliferation of hiking apps like AllTrails and MapMyHike has led to a trend of complacency among hikers. Technology can only take us so far, as the Inca Trail tragedy starkly illustrates. Phone batteries run out, devices fail or break in harsh conditions, and analog knowledge of maps and compass skills – once essential for hikers – has become a rarefied art form.
The increasing reliance on technology is a significant risk associated with hiking. This trend says something about our society: are we so enamored with the idea of “discovery” that we’re willing to overlook even the most basic risks involved in exploring the great outdoors?
When it comes to hiking, there’s no substitute for common sense. Sticking to trails, carrying a first aid kit, and avoiding off-track vantage points are crucial components of a hiker’s safety plan. However, even these precautions can be undermined by our reliance on technology.
The proliferation of personal locator beacons (PLBs) is an interesting case in point – while they enhance the chances of rescue, their widespread availability has created a false sense of security among hikers. It’s ironic that these devices are now being made available for hire near hiking tracks, at visitor centres around NSW national parks, or from Service Tasmania.
This sorry episode serves as a sobering reminder of what happens when we let our enthusiasm get ahead of us – and what we can learn from it is not just about hiking itself but also about the way we approach risk and responsibility as a society.
Reader Views
- RHRiley H. · indie hacker
While the debate rages on about Tourism Australia's promotion of the Western Arthurs Traverse, I'd like to see more attention paid to the underlying issue: our collective reliance on technology while hiking. We've got an entire generation of hikers who don't know how to read a map or use a compass without relying on their phones' GPS. The real tragedy is that we're not teaching kids basic wilderness survival skills, instead outsourcing them to apps and devices that can fail in the most critical moments.
- MLMei L. · etsy seller
While it's understandable that Tourism Australia wants to promote Australia's natural beauty, their post glossed over the reality of this trail being a serious undertaking. It's concerning they didn't include clear disclaimers or warnings about the risks involved. This lack of transparency can lead to would-be hikers underestimating the challenge and putting themselves in harm's way. I think it's also worth noting that some trails, like the Western Arthurs Traverse, are not suitable for solo hikers due to their remoteness and technical difficulties – something that should be highlighted upfront by tour operators and promotional agencies alike.
- THThe Hustle Desk · editorial
The problem with Tourism Australia's promotion is that it reflects a broader issue: our society's warped perception of risk. We've become so enamored with technology and social media that we often overlook the very real dangers of hiking. The statistics are stark – but they're also old news. What's more concerning is how our cultural narrative is shifting to normalize these risks, downplaying them as mere "challenges" or "adventures". We need to stop glamorizing death-defying trails and start acknowledging that some hikes truly are for experts only.