A Star Wars Location Endangered Because of Tourists (Warning: Episode VII Spoilers Inside) - Polidicks

Gonna throw down an other spoiler warning, if the title didn't make it clear enough. If you haven't seen TFA and want to sometime in the future, look away, as this story covers something you can't really avoid spoiling to talk about it. [quote]When the makers of Star Wars completed a key scene in their latest blockbuster on a wind-blasted island a few miles off the Irish coast, the country’s tourist board wasted little time in capitalising. A campaign played up the links between Skellig Michael, a craggy outcrop once colonised by early medieval monks, and its Hollywood rebirth as the intergalactic hideaway of Luke Skywalker. One advert, emblazoned with the Star Wars logo, noted that the island had been raided by vikings in 823 AD, before adding: “Next up: Stormtroopers?” But now the success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, already the third highest grossing film in history, has triggered a row over whether access to the Unesco World Heritage Site should be increased to cope with the thousands of tourists who now want to visit Skywalker’s Celtic lair. Boat operators and hotel owners in Portmagee, County Kerry, are calling on the Irish government to extend the period of the year when visitors are permitted, following a flood of bookings to the area. But they are strongly opposed by conservationists who complain that Skellig Michael’s archaeological and ecological treasures are being imperilled by the high profile gained by the island’s association with the most successful movie franchise of all time.[/quote] [url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/star-wars-irish-island-location-skellig-michael-row-ecologists-and-locals-a6929426.html]The Independant[/url]

It's a beautiful island. However they should really have put more efforts to help preserve the steps and such. They're surely making plenty of money now and I'm sure the star wars company would be more than willing to help.

So long as nothing gets damaged, trash is properly thrown away and visitors don't vandalize anything, I can only see this as a good thing for the local economy.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;49937847]So long as nothing gets damaged, trash is properly thrown away and visitors don't vandalize anything, I can only see this as a good thing for the local economy.[/QUOTE] None of which will happen.:v: People have a gift for fucking things up wherever they go.

[QUOTE=redBadger;49937761]It's a beautiful island. However they should really have put more efforts to help preserve the steps and such. They're surely making plenty of money now and I'm sure the star wars company would be more than willing to help.[/QUOTE] "The Star Wars company" You mean Disney? :v:

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;49937847][B]So long as nothing gets damaged, trash is properly thrown away and visitors don't vandalize anything[/B], I can only see this as a good thing for the local economy.[/QUOTE] So assuming tourists turn in to peace angels then? Because I actually don't know of anywhere that visitor-blight hasn't had a pronounced negative impact on. I mean, it'll be good for the local economy either way. The same way a coal burning steel plant or a weapons range is good for the local economy.

Yeah, The only way they will be able to protect this area is if they remove the ability for people to have an impact on the island. As in build a observation deck that is sealed to prevent people from getting onto the island. Also, I was always under the impression that the first jedi temple was destroyed as they slowly retreated to coruscant.

[QUOTE=Emperor Scorpious II;49937847]So long as nothing gets damaged, trash is properly thrown away and visitors don't vandalize anything, I can only see this as a good thing for the local economy.[/QUOTE] they are concerned about the steps going up the island mostly since they are fragile.

[QUOTE=Passing;49938183]Yeah, The only way they will be able to protect this area is if they remove the ability for people to have an impact on the island. As in build a observation deck that is sealed to prevent people from getting onto the island. Also, I was always under the impression that the first jedi temple was destroyed as they slowly retreated to coruscant.[/QUOTE] Do you also think that the first Catholic church was in Vatican?

It's generally safe to assume that tourists are fucking idiots and will destroy any place they touch. So no, let's keep access restricted as it is.

I love Star Wars but I do find it kind of disappointing that people would rather visit it based on its fictional depiction rather than its actual history.

[QUOTE=Viper123_SWE;49937961]"The Star Wars company" You mean Disney? :v:[/QUOTE] My dad works for the star wars company hes cooler than your dad

[QUOTE=dookster;49938675]I love Star Wars but I do find it kind of disappointing that people would rather visit it based on its fictional depiction rather than its actual history.[/QUOTE] I'm wondering how many people are actually visiting for the history and how many are just because it showed up for 2 min in Star Wars.