Sustainable Travel: Be a Resilient Tourist

Written By Mela Ottaiano

Written by Samantha Brezak

Edited by Malala Raharisoa

Traveling is one of the best ways to have fun and relax, all while learning about new cultures and broadening your perspective. Now more than ever, social media continues to play a big part in propagating inspirations for travel and sharing destinations ideas. Whether you are looking for the must-sees of Barcelonian art or the best local foods of Bali, you can discover the world and all its beauty on Pinterest boards, Instagram tags, and TikToks. Maybe you have already started planning a vacation after watching a travel vlog of the white sandy beaches of Saint Lucia.   

But before booking your flight to paradise islands or smaller states, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind. As a tourist, you are supporting local economies and promoting cultural understanding. For a lot of developing and middle-income countries, tourism is a substantial source of income. However, we often don’t see damage done from years and years of millions of visitors to these dream tourist destinations. Rather than directly helping local communities, tourists may skew their spending toward resorts or other places that cater to them. Certain activities even lead to the destruction of the environment and heritage sites. One way to reduce the negative aspects of tourism is for people to tour places more sustainably. 

What Is Sustainability? 

Sustainability (and related words sustainable and sustainably)  is most often associated with agricultural processes that are modified so that feed needs can be met without negative impact to habitats or living beings. Related terms you may find are eco friendly, environmentally friendly, ethical, and eco safe. Sustainability can also apply to preservation of culture and proper socio-economic systems.

Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism promotes social, economic, and environmental well-being. As for many nations whose primary source of income is tourism, the importance of sustainable tourism has become a priority for UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the 2030 SDGs, target 8.9 states “by 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.”

On February 17, 2023, the international community commemorated the Global Tourism Resilience Day. Global Tourism Resilience Day emphasizes tourism practices that foster economic growth, alleviate poverty, and promote environmental conservation. As a traveler, you can also be a resilient tourist. A resilient tourist is mindful of the impacts of their visit to the local economy, environment, and culture. 

Issues Sustainable Tourism Tries to Solve

Tourism has had devastating effects on the environment, more specifically natural resources. Resources like water and land are depleted from areas used by local populations to supply travelers. Removal of waste, trash, and litter also takes up great amounts of energy and resources in major travel destinations. In addition to the pollution of land, the oceans and air are also affected. Carbon emitted from airplanes, cruise ships, other travel-related vessels, and buildings such as hotels play a big part in the destruction of the ozone layer, loss of forestry and biodiversity, and climate change. 

Irresponsible travel can also greatly affect social systems and culture. Construction of resorts, hotels, and tourist spots can take away from natural features and an area’s cultural heritage. Noise pollution from entertainment and traffic can drive away the area’s animal populations and frustrate local people. Other goods, items, and resources are grabbed up by tourists, depleting supply to citizens of these countries.

So what can you do to play your part in Sustainable Tourism? 

Lodging: Think Before You Book

When choosing where to stay, people typically choose based on price, level of luxury, or proximity to attractions. In addition to those criteria, consider exploring lodging that meets sustainability and environmental standards. Recent terminology for hotels that abide by protection and preservation standards are coined as “eco resorts” or “green hotels.”

How can we find eco resorts or green lodging options? When searching for sustainable accommodations, you can look for certain seals, certifications, or endorsement from sustainable organizations. Keep an eye out for these:

Each label, certification, and listing has specific requirements for inclusion in their program. All of the requirements include a form of reducing waste and pollution, conserving water, and implementing more efficient energy use through organization management. Options like Green Globe Certification and GSTC even include sustainability criteria for socio-economics and cultural heritage. 

But be careful not to fall for “greenwashing” – a marketing gimmick that presents the illusion that a business is eco-friendly when it really is not. 

Cruises

Many consider cruises to be a convenient vacation package. This type of travel provides lodging, transportation, activities, food, and destination experiences. A cruise line that offers a variety of fair prices and great destinations is a traveler magnet. Although a very enticing traveling option, cruises have detrimental effects to the environment. The largest and most harmful aspect of cruising is carbon production. Cruises’ output products degrade water and air quality. But organizations are trying to help consumers and the cruising industry make more sustainable decisions:

Report Card

Friends of the Earth (FOE) releases a yearly report card, grading cruise ships and lines on how clean they run. Elements they rate include reduction in air pollution, improvements in sewage treatment and water quality, and legal compliance. For 2022, Disney and Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines ranked in the top two.

Setting Standards

Cruise Lines Association (CLIA) has established a goal of carbon emission reduction for their fleet of ships. One method to reach this goal is improving cruise maintenance systems, such as wastewater purification, exhaust gas cleaning, and air lubrication. Another method is using efficient methods of energy (such as outer cruise ship paint coatings), LNG (liquified natural gas, used as fuel), and shore-side power (as opposed to on-board power generation).

Cruising is a travel opportunity that requires immediate and intense solutions to resolve environmental damage. In the near future, the industry will likely see drastic changes. We may even see large fleets of small cruise ships. Smaller cruise ships ensure smaller passenger numbers. This means fewer supplies are needed, used, or possibly wasted. Size reduction also helps cruise ships to more easily comply with environmental safety standards. A rather unorthodox cruising alternative is traveling with freight on cargo ships, which would certainly make any trip unforgettable.


Animal Attractions and Activities: Keep Your Distance

Destination is not the only reason people travel. People go to places to “experience” – events, festivals, culture, and so many more activities they couldn’t do at home. One major tourist attraction is interacting with animals. Regions with high biodiversity are especially popular among travelers. Lush vegetation and a warm climate provide a home to unique animals like primates, elephants, and aquatic creatures. But a fun activity can quickly become intrusive and unfair to animals. Animals in the wild can be significantly affected. Idyllic activities from a human perspective may be disruptive and damaging to animals/ecosystems.

Dolphins

Marine life is alien to us land dwellers and attracts us in droves. One of the most fascinating creatures is the dolphin. From the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans, dolphin excursions bring in visitors without much convincing. Dolphins are majestic mammals who are intelligent and playful. However, human curiosity can often get the best of the situation. 

Dolphins suffer harassment and intrusion by curious individuals who want to get a closer look or touch them. Knowing what to do as an individual is important, such as distancing yourself and not feeding these majestic creatures. To partake in activities involving dolphins, there are organizations that promote dolphin conservation in a safe and respectful approach. For example, NOAA’s dolphin SMART program provides a guide for best practices. They also supply a list of U.S. providers that follow dolphin-smart procedures. A common tip is to avoid dolphin riding and any businesses that offer it. Carrying a human, often holding on to its fin, puts great stress and pressure on a dolphin. Watching with binoculars from the beach or jumping through the waves on a boat ride is the friendlier option to our seafaring friends. 

Elephants

Elephants live in Africa and Southern and Southeastern Asia. They are respected and revered by many cultures and religions. But certain behaviors are not only disrespectful, but harmful to elephants. Places that offer elephant attractions such as riding and performances, like swimming, are a big red flag.

An elephant is a large animal; influencing them is not as easy as with a pet. Facilities across the world have and are still using chains and hooks to force elephants into certain behaviors and situations. There is also no evidence proving that elephants do not suffer from carrying humans on their back. 

Although some elephant sanctuaries refute the demonization of certain rearing methodologies, as individuals, we can make decisions that are both cautious and considerate:

  • Say no to elephant riding and cruel attractions. 

  • Visit an elephant sanctuary on your own two feet. 

  • Keep an eye out for ethical and healthy elephant care practices. 

4 Best Practices for Sustainable Travel

As you start thinking about your impact as a sustainable traveler and a resilient tourist, consider doing the following while planning your vacation and during your visit: 

  1. Research: Research destinations, outings, transportation, tour companies, and other excursions to ensure you are acting ethically and supporting local populations and environments. Keep an eye out for any accreditations or certifications related to sustainable practices that your excursion or stay may have. Search for potential news articles, violation reports, and reviews from customers that may mention whether the company acts sustainably. 

  2. Leave no trace: No matter your destination or means of traveling, you can always act sustainably to help the world around you. Bring back any items, supplies, and trash you accumulated with you on day trips or outings. If you are feeling especially benevolent, pick up other trash and litter you see on outings. 

  3. Downsize: Traveling within your country often reduces the carbon footprint. Taking a train or bus, or even a bicycle is more sustainable than flying or cruising.

  4. Follow rules and regulations: Abide by rules and pay attention to recommendations that are encouraged in certain areas. You may be tempted to get up close to an exotic animal or go off the beaten path – but posting pictures or stories is nowhere near as valuable as an intact, happy, and healthy ecological system. 

As a more knowledgeable society with access to the world, we must learn to treat it responsibly and respectfully. Small steps and consideration can add up and create positive change. Sustainable travel provides the same rich opportunities with even more benefit to the world.

Are there more sustainable vacation options and activities we forgot to include? Let us know your thoughts and ideas! 

Mela Ottaiano
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