Since the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated with new discoveries and the urge to explore the world’s expanse. However, the growth of tourism and globalization has contributed to pollution, a rise in greenhouse gas emissions, and habitat loss in some parts of the world. Sustainable tourism satisfies the traveler’s wanderlust while also being mindful of the socio-economic and environmental impact of the host regions. Sustainable tourism practices promote cultural heritage, job creation, wildlife, and biodiversity preservation while minimizing ecological damage and local economic exclusion.
By embracing ecotourism, we have an opportunity to safeguard the environment and preserve the cultural heritage of citizens around the world. Below, you’ll find out how to be a sustainable traveler by contributing to a socially conscious and sustainable tourism model for all!
Pick the Right Destination
If possible, you can play your part in limiting carbon emissions by shortening your travel distance. You can significantly lower greenhouse emissions by touring destinations closer to home. If you choose to travel overseas, consider picking destinations where authorities require visitors to pledge to conserve local heritage. When visiting popular hotspots, consider planning your visits in the off-peak season to avoid overcrowding. Overtourism is often a big issue for tourist hotspots because it creates unmanageable crowds and pollution problems!
Go Slow: Use Public Transport!
While you may be tempted to include a long list of go-to places in your bucket list, it may be in your best interests to slow down and fully explore a destination before moving on to the next one. Rather than making several trips a year, consider taking an extended vacation in a single location. Spending more time at a destination gives you a chance to uncover its hidden charms, experience the local cuisines, and build longer-lasting relationships with local communities. When it comes to learning how to be a sustainable traveler, it’s crucial to note that you reduce carbon emissions by boarding public buses, taking the train, or renting hybrid or electric cars. Your choice!
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Book Airlines with Sustainable Practices
Tourists can drive significant reforms in the tourism sector to promote ecotourism and sustainable business practices. An excellent way to achieve sustainability is by choosing agencies that place policies to lessen their environmental impact. While some agencies are switching to ecotourism practices, it’s unfortunate that many big players are yet to warm up to sustainable tourism. So try to choose airlines and tour companies with solid policies on community support programs, plastic use, inclusivity, and diversity, if you can!
Eat and Shop Local!
Many communities around the globe depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Luckily, you can support them by trying out traditional dishes at local restaurants. When touring remote areas, consider enlisting the services of local tour guides to ensure local communities enjoy tourism benefits. If you plan to extend your stay, consider booking your accommodation at locally-owned guesthouses, even when there’s a luxurious international hotel chain nearby. Explore the local markets to purchase clothing or artifacts made by local artisans.
Mind Your Footprint
Though it’s practically impossible to eliminate carbon emissions completely from those cheap domestic flights you scored, there’s a lot you can do to minimize your CO2 footprint. Carbon offsetting offers an excellent opportunity to make up for any adverse environmental consequences from your trip. Online carbon footprint calculators allow you to estimate CO2 emissions from your touring expeditions and make up for it by purchasing offset units. The units you purchase to offset your CO2 footprint can be channeled towards protecting endangered wildlife species or rainforests. The best part is that the offsets can also create employment opportunities and amenities for local communities!
Be Respectful of Local Cultures and Wildlife
The beauty of traveling lies in its ability to expose visitors to fresh perspectives while offering a sneak peek into the traditions of other global communities. It’s essential to be mindful and respect local cultural systems as you venture into new locations. You can better prepare yourself by researching local history, etiquette, and shared beliefs of the communities you intend to visit. That way, you’ll be sure to know what’s acceptable and what may seem offensive to locals. It helps to learn a few words in the local language to boost your engagement levels with local communities. Lastly, ensure you adhere to all visitor protocols put in place by local authorities, especially those on human-wildlife interactions.
Do you have any more advice on how to be a sustainable traveler? Let us know in the comments!
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