New York, February 13, 2026. Sustainability is often defined as the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising those of future generations. However, in fragile, isolated places that are dealing with more and more tourists, this definition has its limits and calls for further scrutiny.
This was the premise of the presentation given by Josian Yaksic, general manager of Las Torres Patagonia, to students of the MBA program at Cornell University as part of the Finance & Sustainability colloquium. The symposium was an invitation to rethink how conservation is financed, how tourist flows are managed, and how the relationship between people and ecosystems can be redefined.
“The question is no longer how to do tourism better, but how to finance conservation in highly fragile environments and redefine the way humans occupy the land and its ecosystems. Is it possible for us to live alongside all, or even most, of the world’s biodiversity?” asked Yaksic at the beginning of his presentation.
The general manager presented the case of Torres del Paine as a destination that doesn’t fit the typical mass tourism model: low visitor density, heavy investment, high management standards, and an active relationship between conservation and economic activity. “It is not a model of exclusivity,” he clarified, “but instead one of territorial responsibility and economic sustainability.”
The talk looked at how Las Torres Patagonia has developed its sustainability strategy over time, from removing livestock from the land and implementing IUCN Category V management plans, to signing the Glasgow Declaration, which commits the company to reducing its emissions 50% by 2030 and moving towards total carbon neutrality by 2050.
Noteworthy initiatives include transitioning to non-conventional renewable energy, with installed capacity exceeding 1 MW; local food production to reduce transportation-related emissions; and engaging with local communities, with nearly 60% of the company’s employees hailing from the region. Also highlighted was the implementation of the Holistic Grazing System certified by the Savory Institute. This system not only helps prevent fires by reducing dry plant material, but also captures more than 20,000 additional tons of CO₂ through regenerative soil management practices.
This dialogue with the students led to one of the central themes of the class: structural changes in how travelers evaluate and choose destinations. In Yaksic’s analysis, mass tourism is facing increasing saturation and rejection. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand for low-volume, high-value experiences, especially among those willing to pay for options that combine active conservation, consistency, and international credibility.
“Sustainability alone is not enough,” noted Yaksic. “The challenge lies in how to identify, understand, and connect with travelers who genuinely seek these types of experiences, and how to build clear signs of trust and consistency over time.”
In closing, the general manager of Las Torres Patagonia reflected on the role of tourism in today’s world and the importance of academic forums such as this one for thinking about long-term solutions.
“Many of these questions remain unanswered and are probably too important to be left to the industry alone. They call on us to build knowledge together through research, practice, and collaboration between academia and the community. It’s not perfect, but we believe there’s always a better way to do things. And we are determined to find it.”