A Guide to Sustainable Travel: Why It Matters & How to Do It Right
We all love travelling, but we need to acknowledge that tourism is one of the largest global industries, but it also has a significant impact on the environment, economy, and society.
Sustainable travel is a way to travel that benefits not only the traveller but also the local community and the environment.
Sustainable tourism is an effort to improve the environmental, social, and economic aspects of tourism.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what sustainable travel is, why it’s important, and how you can incorporate sustainable travel practices into your next trip.
What is Sustainable Travel?
Sustainable travel is defined as responsible travel to natural areas while conserving the environment and improving the well-being of local people.
It also implies that the travellers and the industry should take environmental, social, and economic responsibility and make a positive contribution to the local community while minimising the negative impact on the environment.
Why is Sustainable Travel Important?
Sustainable travel is important because it helps to minimise the negative impacts of tourism while maximising the positive ones.
Sustainable travelling can help to create a more authentic and meaningful travel experience by allowing us to connect with local communities and cultures.
4 Main Principles Of Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism is not only about minimising negative impacts but also about ensuring equitable and viable long-term development.
To achieve this, sustainable tourism development must follow guiding principles that take into account environmental responsibility, social equity, economic health, and cultural vitality.
In this context, each principle plays a crucial role in promoting tourism that benefits not only tourists but also local communities and the destination’s environment and culture.
Environmental Responsibility
Environmental responsibility in tourism involves reducing the negative impact of tourism on the environment, preserving natural resources and ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices.
This includes reducing waste and carbon emissions, conserving water and energy, using renewable resources, and protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
Sustainable tourism operators should engage in responsible waste management, use eco-friendly products, and promote conservation efforts.
By prioritising environmental responsibility, tourism can help preserve natural resources for future generations to enjoy.
Social Equity:
Social equity in tourism involves ensuring that all members of the local community benefit from tourism, regardless of their socio-economic status.
Sustainable tourism should provide opportunities for local people to participate in and benefit from the industry, including employment, training, and business opportunities.
It should also respect the rights and needs of local communities, including their culture, heritage, and way of life.
Sustainable tourism should work towards building positive relationships between tourists and local communities, promoting mutual respect and understanding.
Cultural Vitality:
Cultural vitality in tourism involves promoting and celebrating local culture, heritage, and traditions.
Sustainable tourism should respect and support the preservation of cultural diversity, including traditional arts, crafts, and festivals.
It should also provide opportunities for tourists to learn about local cultures and traditions, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
By celebrating cultural vitality, sustainable tourism can help to promote cultural exchange and understanding, while also preserving and protecting local cultural heritage.
Economic Health:
Economic health in tourism involves creating economic benefits for local communities while minimising negative impacts.
Sustainable tourism should prioritise local ownership, procurement, and employment, and support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
It should also seek to diversify the local economy, reducing dependence on tourism as the sole source of income.
By creating economic opportunities that benefit local people, sustainable tourism can help to reduce poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community.
Quick Tips for Sustainable Travel
- Choose eco-friendly accommodations: Look for hotels, resorts, or vacation rentals that have implemented sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing water usage, and recycling.
- Use public transportation or walk: Consider using public transportation or walking instead of driving to reduce your carbon footprint and support local businesses.
- Support local businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop at local markets, and support local artisans to help boost the local economy and preserve cultural heritage.
- Pack responsibly: Bring a reusable water bottle, utensils, and shopping bags to reduce waste and avoid single-use plastics.
- Be respectful of local cultures: Research local customs and traditions before you travel to ensure that you are respectful of local cultures and traditions.
- Stay local: When possible stay local, you’ll be surprised how much you can do & see locally instead of flying thousands of miles around the world or driving for hours.
How can I find eco-friendly accommodations?
There are several ways to find eco-friendly accommodations when you’re traveling:
- Do an online search: Use search engines like Google or Bing to find eco-friendly accommodations in the area you’re visiting. You can search for terms like “eco-friendly hotels,” “sustainable resorts,” or “green lodging.”
- Use sustainable travel websites: There are several websites that specialise in sustainable travel and eco-friendly accommodations. Some popular ones include Green Key Global, Green Hotels Association, and Sustainable Travel International.
- Check hotel ratings: Many hotel bookings websites like Booking.com, Expedia, or TripAdvisor now include sustainability ratings or eco-certifications for hotels. Look for hotels with high ratings or certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Green Globe, or EarthCheck.
- Contact the hotel directly: If you have a specific hotel or resort in mind, contact them directly and ask about their sustainability practices. Some hotels may not advertise their eco-friendly practices, but they may have implemented sustainable measures like energy-efficient lighting, water-saving devices, or recycling programs.
- Consider alternative accommodations: If you can’t find eco-friendly hotels in the area you’re visiting, consider alternative accommodations like camping, glamping, or homestays. These options can be more environmentally friendly and allow you to connect with local communities and nature.
Remember that eco-friendly accommodations are just one aspect of sustainable travel.
It’s also important to consider the transportation you use, the activities you engage in, and the impact you have on local communities and the environment.
Some environmentally responsible activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, snorkelling, and wildlife watching
It’s important to choose activities that have a minimal impact on the environment and do not harm wildlife or ecosystems.
Conclusion
Sustainable travel is a crucial aspect of tourism that aims to preserve the environment, culture, and economy of a destination.
By practising sustainable travel and supporting environmentally-friendly initiatives, we can minimize our impact and help ensure that the tourism industry is sustainable for future generations.
Why not also read our post about the 9 best places to holiday in the UK.
Remember, every small step can make a big difference.
Happy travels!
