The Benefits of Sustainable Tourism

What is Sustainable Travel?

We have all heard the buzz words, but what does it mean to travel more responsibly and what are the benefits of sustainable tourism? These are all important questions we should be asking when planning a vacation. Whether it’s to the beach, your own hometown, a neighboring state or a country a plane ride away, visiting responsibly should continually be a part of the travel conversation.

Sustainable travel essentially means that when we are visiting places we are keeping the environment, the local people & their customs a priority. Whether it is reducing your carbon footprint or acknowledging local customs, sustainable travel is a way to experience new things but still be mindful & respectful of the world around us.

Why Care about Sustainable Travel?

Responsible tourism, conscious travel, ethical travel. The jargon of sustainability in travel have created a trend. The problem is travelers don’t really know enough about the topic sometimes to make the best choices. More importantly, there are still travelers who think their decision making isn’t important in the dialogue surrounding sustainability.

We as visitors have a responsibility to ensure our money, time and efforts are going back into the communities we intend to support. That cultural heritage and the environment are protected. That the future of our planet is being considered. The way we travel can benefit us globally, locally & personally.

Benefits of Sustainable Tourism for Destinations

Caring for the places we visit is paramount. It’s the only way that we will be able to continue exploring and adventuring, learning and growing. There are numerous ways that sustainable tourism benefits a destination, but here are a few major bonuses:

• Traveling sustainably helps local communities

In 2018, tourism & travel was an $8.8 TRILLION dollar contributor to the global economy. Tourism has created over 300 million jobs and was beyond the growth of the GDP for the eighth consecutive year. Sustainable travel helps to keep money within the local economy. It can facilitate job growth and can make positive changes in the socioeconomic issues in developing nations. By keeping your money within the local economy, we ensure that the places we visit are benefiting from us being there. Also, when tourism is a priority, things like infrastructure, transportation and conservation also can become a priority.

• Vacationing ethically can aid in the preservation of the places you visit

Organizations like UNESCO World Heritage will make special delineations for places and cultures that we as visitors place importance. We have the power to make biospheres, buildings or beaches historically important. When we hire tour operators and guides, we can ensure that some of our money goes towards conservation efforts or maintenance.

• Sustainable tourism creates a positive exchange between vacationer and location

Visiting a location with an itinerary that is more locally focuses can help eradicate stereotypes for the destination and the vacationer. If you’re in a homestay or spending time alongside locals as opposed to vacationing around them it makes a difference in how you view a place. If we have an opportunity to dive deeper into the culture or community of a destination, we can discover truths about the location easier than speculation of how people live.

• Socially conscious travel can contribute to cultural preservation

So much about traveling to different cities, countries, continents is our innate curiosity. Different cultures, cuisines and customs are sometimes the main thing that drives us to visit a new destination. Responsible tourism has a component that means helping to preserve cultures, avoiding injecting our own traditions on others.

• Responsible tourism will protect the environment

Choosing more responsible travel is one way to help combat our global impact. Making travel choices that over use resources or don’t have the destination in mind is detrimental to our planet. Sustainable travel doesn’t mean sacrificing convenience, luxury, or safety. You can still care about the environment while pampering yourself on vacation. The two have a bad wrap about not being synonymous. Sustainable tourism and caring for the environment does not have to mean surrendering comfort or fun.

Benefits of Sustainable Tourism for Travelers

Even when we are trying to save the planet, we can still think of ourselves sometimes. If you’re a traveling, chances are it’ll be for vacation. With our hard work comes the reward of a holiday and that means taking time to do what you want with your free time. But, there is good news. We can still be self-serving with our time off AND have responsible travel in mind. These are ideas on why sustainable tourism can be beneficial for us as travelers:

• Responsible tourism has the ability to continue to make destinations accessible for everyone for years to come

Mindful travelers can help future travelers by respecting and protecting spaces for future visitors. In order to enjoy pristine beaches, mountain hikes, or city weekends we need to be conscious of how we’re using them in the present.

• Being a better traveler makes you feel better

It’s simple as eudaemonic vs hedonic well-being. Wait Abbie, WHAT!? So, to sum up psychology speak, eudaemonic is happiness from a sense of purpose compared to happiness from self indulgence. It means that it is innately better to be doing good things. When you do good, you feel better in a way that makes a more positive psychological impact. Generosity and thoughtfulness is connected to a less stressful life. In short, a happier environment generates happier people.

• Acting as a responsible tourists helps make us all global citizens

Move past thinking about your immediate surroundings. Looking at the world as being more of a community helps us see the bigger picture when it comes to sustainability. Ethical travel has the power to uplift marginalized groups, women and disadvantaged groups.

• It can be cost effective

Goods that aren’t imported can be less expensive. Companies operating locally and not internationally usually are more affordable. If you want to have a budget friendly holiday, sustainable travel can be a low cost alternative without skimping on luxury.

• You’ll have a better vacation, I promise!

I would not steer you wrong when it comes to having a good time. When it comes to being more mindful in your vacation planning, it means you’ll make better connections and walk away with better memories of your trip. Responsible travelers have more authentic fun, it’s a fact.

So, What’s Next?

Now that we know the benefits of sustainable travel, what can we do to make better choices? There are a few things we can be doing as more mindful travelers.

Book a locally run hotel, or a small B&B. Choosing eco friendly accommodation that is keeping money in the local economy is the best way to go if possible. Find accommodation through sites like Green Pearls, Booking Different, or Green Key to begin my search for responsible places to stay.

Try to use tour operators that have the locals interest and wellbeing at heart. Companies like Purposeful Nomad, Lokal, Viahero or GAdventures all run tours that work alongside destinations, not exploiting them.