Sustainable Tourism
The 21st century has connected the world unlike ever before, making it a ‘Not So Lonely A Planet.’ However, this connectedness has brought about an over-exhaustion of the resources. Whether staying at the Wynn Las Vegas, or taking a mesmerizing cruise in the Caribbean, or even a jungle safari in South Africa, all these experiences have a certain impact on the host ecosystem. And when done in excess, these experiences deplete the resources of the host ecosystem, making it unsustainable and unviable in the long run. This gives rise to the need to have a sustainable tourism model, which supports not only the travelers, the travel industry, and the host community, but also the generations to come and their needs.
When we come across concrete structures where once dense forests stood, or when we look at a pristine lagoon, which has turned into a ‘garbage-spread,’ we realize the impact of our actions on Nature. If we continue on the same path, slowly but inevitably, these destinations will lose their charm that drives travelers there.
There are a few numbers we should look at, to better understand the need for Sustainable Tourism:
- International Tourist Arrivals: 25 Million (1950); 1.5 Billion (2019)
- 80% of the world’s coral reefs are at risk
- 35% of the world’s mangroves are destroyed
- Average Annual Loss of Ice: 40 billion tons (1980s); 475 billion tons (2010s)
- Average Annual Rise in Sea Level: 1.4 mm (1990); 3.4 mm (2016)
- Global Tourism Industry’s carbon footprint is 4.5 gigatons; 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Average Hotel Guest’s Water Consumption: 300 liters (Basic Hotels); 1800 liters (Luxury Hotel)
- The last fully intact ice shelf in the Canadian Arctic collapsed at the end of July 2020
Aspects to consider for Sustainable Tourism
- Responsible Usage of Resources
- Reduction in Over-Consumption and Elimination of Wastage
- Preservation of Biodiversity
- Conservation of Socio-Cultural Heritage of Host Community
- Creating long-term Socio-Economic Benefits (for all)
Types of sustainable tourism
Ecotourism: This form of tourism is focused on preserving and protecting natural environments and wildlife.
Sustainable tourism organizations
Here are some of the top sustainable tourism organizations:Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)
- Sustainable Travel International (STI)
- The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
- The Rainforest Alliance
- The Global Ecotourism Network (GEN)
- The Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)
Sustainable tourism planning
Sustainable tourism planning include the steps that one must take to conduct and maintain the aspects of sustainable tourism. Here are the steps to plan effective sustainable tourism to a travel destination:
- Conduct a destination assessment
- Develop a sustainable tourism strategy
- Engage stakeholders such as government, local bodies, etc.
- Educate tourists about the location and sustainable tourism
- Measure and monitor progress the impacts
- Improve the strategies after the analysis of the impact
Sustainable tourism destinations
Maintaining the environmental, social, and economic aspects are critical for Sustainable Tourism, and not just preserving the natural environment and its resources. We need to ensure that the local community benefits and develops, without losing their socio-cultural heritage.
The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) and the UNGA are extensively working on sustainable tourism development and are working on many initiatives like Hotel Energy Solutions (HES), Global Tourism Plastics Initiative (GTPI), One Planet, Resilience of Tourism, and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS).
Sustainable Tourism is an on-going process that requires us to constantly monitor, analyze, implement corrective/preventive measures, and go back to monitoring again. It would also require a high level of collaboration between various governments and the tourism industry to achieve the results we hope for. We also need to ensure that travelers have a meaningful experience while also understanding the need for sustainability and follow the practices.
Suggested Read: Tourism Planning: Importance, Benefits, Types & Levels
Sustainable Tourism is the only way forward!
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