Sustainable Tourism: How Do We Travel Better?

With the rapid growth of tourism in recent years, many popular destinations around the world began to see tourism hurt rather than help the people who lived there. Popular areas were often over-crowded, housing in downtown cores became scarce, and in some places waste proliferated and sensitive monuments showed wear and tear.

International travel slowed to a crawl in 2020, providing us all with the chance to reset and to start thinking how to adopt more sustainable, long-term travel habits. How can we commit, as travellers, to combat climate change, safeguard nature, empower local communities and tackle waste and pollution while travelling? As the travel industry recovers, ToursByLocals is dedicating more time to answering this big question, providing you with real, workable solutions to travel smarter.

Let’s start with the basic question: what exactly does ‘sustainable travel’ mean?

According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), sustainable travel “takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”. This means that when we travel, we can adopt environmentally friendly practices, protect natural and cultural heritage, and provide social and economic benefits to the communities we are visiting.

At the most basic level, it’s the idea of always keeping in mind how our actions affect others. We need to ask ourselves questions like: how can we preserve the natural beauty of this destination? How can we conserve a healthy ecosystem? And how can we help to defend the diverse communities we visit? Luckily, travellers and tourism have the potential to contribute, directly or indirectly, to all of these goals.

How do I start traveling more sustainably?

Avoid air travel when possible

Tourism is responsible for 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. As more people travel each year, this number grows. A way to minimize your carbon footprint is by reducing the amount of short haul air travel you do. There are many choices and not all of them will necessarily include a flight! Choose other options when possible. For example, travelling by train can save up to 90% of CO2 emissions in comparison - and it's often more comfortable and convenient than a trip to the airport.

Choose sustainable accommodations

Emissions from lodging are more likely higher in large resorts and hotels. You can choose accredited accommodation which ensures strong sustainability initiatives by third parties or hotels that use clean energy sources. Small scale accommodations are a good option too!

Reduce plastic waste

Make sure you take your own reusables with you before travelling to your destination. By doing this, you will buy less plastic. Wherever you go, separate your trash so it can be recycled afterwards. For instance, it's easy to pack a lightweight reusable bag - a great thing to have on hand at local markets.

Engage with the locals

Tourism has the power to preserve the rich traditions of the host communities and create greater cultural awareness about them. Take your time to engage with a local, learn from them, share different backgrounds and respect their culture. Spending time with a local guide is a fantastic way to make these cultural connections.

Purchase items that were made locally

Shopping is a travel experience itself. By buying local products, local food, souvenirs and handcrafted items we are contributing to the development of the local economy. We could be also creating more job opportunities in the area, for both merchants and tradespeople.

Protect natural areas and wildlife

One of the main reasons for choosing natural areas to go on holidays is the chance to experience rich biodiversity and unique landscapes. Travelling to these areas can contribute to the protection of these incredible natural ecosystems by financing conservation and reforestation projects, advancing green technologies, raising awareness about endangered species and increasing community support.

Avoid visiting animals that are in captivity. Instead, choose to observe animals in their natural habitat at a respectful and safe distance.

Choose less popular destinations or smart cities

Overtourism can harm the natural and cultural heritage of very popular destinations. It can also have a negative impact on the quality of life of local residents. Consider lesser known places, where you will find fewer travellers around, and you can have a significant impact on the local economy. If you want to visit popular cities, consider doing so off-season; it’s a better experience for you and the people who live there. Another good option is to visit places that are being rebuilt after a natural disaster. You even help local residents by volunteering in social or environmental projects.

Alternatively, there are many cities that have been working towards sustainability and have developed smart programs to protect natural resources, heritage and local communities, reduce energy consumption and develop cycling infrastructure, among others.

Slow Down...

It's time to stop chasing our next instagram photo and ticking off bucket lists. We need to literally slow down, cover less ground, and engage more mindfully with fewer destinations. There's great joy to be found in connecting to the soul of a place through its history, language, culture, food and people. Consider travelling with the intention to learn and experience deeply; you'll come home with a better understanding of and appreciation for where you've been.