Does it seem that the number of unique and authentic places to visit in the world is shrinking? The standardization of destinations caused by globalization certainly contributes to that, as does your own increasing number of checkmarks on your life travel list. But, consider this: proper conservation efforts continue to open up new sites to tourists and expand offerings within existing sites.

In Tikal, the great Mayan city in present-day Guatemala, only a few of the finest sites have been excavated. In Mesa Verde National Park scrub-clearing wildfires earlier this decade unearthed scores of previously unknown archeological ruins. In the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang on the Silk Road in China, where I recently visited, visitors take in only a few of 100 sites that are open to the public, and hundreds remain unopened. When visiting the Valleys of Kings, Queens, and Nobles in Egypt, the most avid visitor only has the energy and time to see a half dozen of the scores of thrilling tombs per day’s visit, so return visits are needed, and more sites are discovered every few years.

The World Heritage site of Umm Ar-Rasas in Jordan contains some of the best-preserved ancient Roman mosaics anywhere, but the site is virtually unknown, which should change as a lifetime of forthcoming excavation will spur promotion. Then there are previously war-torn countries that eventually settle down, such as Nicaragua with its stunning Spanish colonial architecture in Granada.

In all these places and countless others, new tourist delights are and will be “discovered” and made available for public enjoyment and education.

The imperatives of conservation can limit tourist access when the money isn’t there to both preserve and show. But when tourists and their travel providers visit “responsibly” and offer financial and other support to conservation, then conservation stewards are motivated and able to open up more sites for tourist access. Funding comes from the visitation, and from government planners expecting increased visitation and tax revenues.

Conversely, tourism that tramples heritage sites without conserving them reduces inventory of available and appealing places to visit.

There’s plenty more for tourists and tourism professionals to explore and to offer; but we travelers and travel providers will only have access to it if we actively support conservation and preservation.