Grand Canyon Controversy
The opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk has reignited the controversy surrounding the commercialism of the Grand Canyon, one of nature's greatest wonders.
The primary arguments against the new attraction are:
· Some people believe it to be an eye-sore
· Conservationists believe that the Skywalk is turning one of the world’s greatest natural wonders into a commercial tourist attraction
· Others feel that the Skywalk devalues the cultural and historical values of the Grand Canyon and the Hualapai Tribe
· Critics question how the Tribe will support these resorts and attractions with the currently limited infrastructure (there’s currently no sustainable water, sewer, trash, telephone, or electrical service in the area).
Supporters of the Grand Canyon Skywalk say that the new attraction is simply a novel way for tourists to experience the Grand Canyon like never before and an effective way for the Huapalai Tribe to earn more on the land. They believe that the new Grand Canyon West development will be good for the local economy.
Grand Canyon West
The Glass Bridge is only one piece of a 6,000 square-foot development called Grand Canyon West that includes a visitors' center, gift shop, and a restaurant. It'll cost you $25 to see the Grand Canyon from this unusual perspective.
The Huapalai Tribe is a steward of the lands of the Grand Canyon. They have plans to build hotels, additional shopping, and a golf course near the Glass Bridge in the future. Part of their master plan includes adding cable cars to transport tourists from canyon rim to the Colorado River (inside the Grand Canyon). Pontoon boat tours, raft rides, and low-flying airplane and helicopter tours are also in their plans.
Sheri Keyser is the Founder and CEO of GoSightsee.com, a travel website that provides you with insider travel tips on sightseeing destinations, vacation planning resources, and travel deals. Sign up for our free travel tips newsletter today and get a bonus gift.
The opening of the Grand Canyon Skywalk has reignited the controversy surrounding the commercialism of the Grand Canyon, one of nature's greatest wonders.
The primary arguments against the new attraction are:
· Some people believe it to be an eye-sore
· Conservationists believe that the Skywalk is turning one of the world’s greatest natural wonders into a commercial tourist attraction
· Others feel that the Skywalk devalues the cultural and historical values of the Grand Canyon and the Hualapai Tribe
· Critics question how the Tribe will support these resorts and attractions with the currently limited infrastructure (there’s currently no sustainable water, sewer, trash, telephone, or electrical service in the area).
Supporters of the Grand Canyon Skywalk say that the new attraction is simply a novel way for tourists to experience the Grand Canyon like never before and an effective way for the Huapalai Tribe to earn more on the land. They believe that the new Grand Canyon West development will be good for the local economy.
Grand Canyon West
The Glass Bridge is only one piece of a 6,000 square-foot development called Grand Canyon West that includes a visitors' center, gift shop, and a restaurant. It'll cost you $25 to see the Grand Canyon from this unusual perspective.
The Huapalai Tribe is a steward of the lands of the Grand Canyon. They have plans to build hotels, additional shopping, and a golf course near the Glass Bridge in the future. Part of their master plan includes adding cable cars to transport tourists from canyon rim to the Colorado River (inside the Grand Canyon). Pontoon boat tours, raft rides, and low-flying airplane and helicopter tours are also in their plans.
Sheri Keyser is the Founder and CEO of GoSightsee.com, a travel website that provides you with insider travel tips on sightseeing destinations, vacation planning resources, and travel deals. Sign up for our free travel tips newsletter today and get a bonus gift.
© 2006 by "DiscoveringArizona Inc." · All Rights Reserved · E-Mail: jayq@discoveringarizona.com
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The Grand Canyon Skywalk, a massive glass walkway that perches almost a mile over the Colorado River, recently opened in Arizona. The unique horseshoe-shaped Glass Bridge reaches 70 feet from the Grand Canyon's edge and provides the vertical view down from the canyon rim.
Located 120 miles east of Las Vegas, Nevada, the Grand Canyon Skywalk Glass Bridge was built by the Hualapai Tribe to provide a one-of-a-kind Grand Canyon experience and to make money from the tourists who will flock to this attraction. The grand opening was March 20, 2007, a week earlier than planned. Several special guests including Buzz Aldrin and elders of the Hualapai Tribe took the first steps on the new structure.
Is the Skywalk Safe?
Over three times higher than the Empire State Building, the Glass Bridge was constructed with over one million pounds of steel and is built to withstand the weight of 71 fully-loaded Boeing 747 planes (over 71 million pounds). The Skywalk was engineered to withstand winds of over 100 miles per hour from eight directions.
Engineers also took earthquakes into consideration when designing the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The structure was built to last through an earthquake of up to 8.0 on the Richter scale within the surrounding 50 miles of the Grand Canyon.
Over three times higher than the Empire State Building, the Glass Bridge was constructed with over one million pounds of steel and is built to withstand the weight of 71 fully-loaded Boeing 747 planes (over 71 million pounds). The Skywalk was engineered to withstand winds of over 100 miles per hour from eight directions.
Engineers also took earthquakes into consideration when designing the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The structure was built to last through an earthquake of up to 8.0 on the Richter scale within the surrounding 50 miles of the Grand Canyon.
