Sustainable Tourism Guide: Why it is important and tips

Last Updated on March 17, 2024

Tourism isn’t just about personal enjoyment; it plays a vital global role. The United Nations highlights tourism as one of the fastest-growing industries, offering crucial foreign exchange and employment opportunities. Its impact, however, extends beyond economic benefits, deeply influencing the social, economic, and environmental well-being of nations, particularly in the developing world.

Yet, with a staggering 960 million tourists in 2022, the industry’s footprint raises concerns. From carbon emissions and resource depletion to pollution, animal welfare, and biodiversity loss, the impacts are numerous.

As fellow travelers, it’s essential to recognize the immense privilege and responsibility we carry. Before diving into practical tips, let’s distinguish between sustainable tourism and responsible tourism. While both aim for positive impacts, understanding the terms helps us navigate our travel choices. Ultimately, taking action is key, and having a grasp of the basics sets the stage for responsible travel planning

Sustainable tourism, as defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, is a holistic approach that considers the present and future impacts of tourism on economic, social, and environmental aspects. This approach strives to meet the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities. Simply put, sustainable tourism seeks to optimize the use of environmental resources, preserve cultural authenticity, and ensure long-term economic viability. It’s about engaging all stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable practices in and by the tourism industry.

In short, Responsible Traveler, also known as Responsible Tourism, refers to the behaviors travelers can take to align their actions and choices with sustainable tourism practices. These same choices can influence businesses to offer more sustainable services and products. 

Your journey as a responsible traveler is shaped by your unique choices, yet certain tips universally enhance every travel experience:

• Research Your Destination: Dive into the local customs, traditions, and social aspects of your destination. This not only builds cultural understanding but also amps up the excitement for your upcoming journey.
• Learn Local Language Basics: Connect meaningfully by learning a few words in the local language. It’s a great way to bridge gaps and immerse yourself more deeply in the local community.
• Embrace Uniqueness: Appreciate and respect the distinctive features of your destination – from history and architecture to dress, music, and cuisine. Immerse yourself fully for a truly enriching experience.
• Photography Etiquette: Always seek permission before taking photos of locals. Respect their privacy.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Before passing judgment on local living conditions or customs, take a moment to pause and reflect. Listening and leaving preconceptions behind will enrich your travel experience.
• Respectful Interactions: Extend courtesy and respect to the staff and service providers at tourism facilities. Positive interactions contribute to a harmonious and enjoyable travel experience for everyone involved.

• Ethical Wildlife Encounters: Prioritize responsible interactions with wildlife. Avoid activities that exploit animals for entertainment and choose experiences that promote their well-being. Keep your distance and don’t disturb wild animals. 
• Trail Etiquette: Stay on designated trails to minimize your impact on natural habitats. By following established paths, you’re contributing to the preservation of the environment.
• Waste Reduction: Make a conscious effort to reduce your waste footprint, opt for reusable items, say no to single-use plastics, and leave no trace behind.
• Plant-Based Meals: Elevate your dining experience by embracing plant-based meals. Not only are you treating your taste buds, but you’re also contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly food culture.
• Support Local Conservation Efforts: Contribute to the preservation of natural habitats by supporting local conservation initiatives. This could involve participating in community-based projects or donating to reputable environmental organizations in the area you’re visiting.

• Buy Local: Support the heartbeat of the destination – its local businesses. Whether it’s souvenirs, snacks, or crafts, choose items produced locally. This not only provides an authentic taste of the region but also directly contributes to the economic growth of the community.
• Hire Local Guides: Dive into the richness of local knowledge by hiring guides from the community. They bring a unique perspective, share hidden gems, and their earnings go back into the local economy. It’s a win-win that fosters a deeper connection with the destination.
• Tipping Policy: Familiarize yourself with the local tipping customs. In some places, tipping might not be common, while in others, it’s a significant part of a service worker’s income. By adhering to local tipping practices, you’re respecting cultural norms and supporting individuals who contribute to your positive travel experience.
• Bargain Responsibly: If bargaining is a cultural norm at your destination, approach it with respect. While it can be part of the local experience, be mindful not to excessively haggle to the detriment of local livelihoods. Strike a fair balance where both you and the seller feel satisfied, ensuring that the transaction is a positive exchange for everyone involved. 

Embracing responsible travel doesn’t require sacrificing anything; in fact, it can enhance both your experience and your perception of the new places you visit. 

We are not going to lie – we feel guilty when we travel by plane. We know the impact it has, but most of the time it is our only option. If you can choose between train or bus instead of catching a flight, please do! 

If you need to catch a flight, you may consider offsetting the associated carbon emissions. We are still searching for ways to actually offset our flights that don’t feel like green-washing. So we cannot, in good conscience, recommend any platform or company for that. If you know any, please leave us a comment below! 

To try to minimize the impact of our air travel, we try to support local organizations in the places we visit. Personally, we support Wildlife Organizations in our travels, but you can also support social causes and organizations. 

We said it before and will say it again, traveling is a precious privilege and it comes at a cost for the planet. The choice is ours – to ignore it or recognize it and become better travelers. 

Learn as much as you can and share as much as you can when you’re traveling. Be a beacon of curiosity in a world that sometimes leans towards judgment. Learn about different cultures, the natural ecosystems, the wild animals that inhabited the lands you visit. Understand the challenges faced by people and nature, and be their voice back home. Your experiences have the power to demystify biases and prejudices. Embrace the journey, transforming every adventure into an opportunity to be not just a traveler, but a changemaker.

Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures – Lovelle Drachman