The frequency of tourism has changed drastically over the years with a surge in exploring the unchartered territories exalting global tourism to a trillion-dollar company, subsequently leaving behind excessive carbon footprint. By definition carbon footprint is carbon emitted during tourism activities like travelling by combustion of petrol-driven vehicles as well as carbon embodied in items purchased or activities carried out by tourists such as accommodation, food, transport, fuel and shopping. So, it is inevitable to follow sustainable means of tourism that would release as less carbon as possible.
What is sustainable tourism?
When tourism takes into account the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects to create a balance between them which plays an important role in conserving biodiversity and attempts to reduce the impact on environment and local culture to make it available for future generations, all the while contributing in the generation of income, employment and conservation of local ecosystems, it is known as sustainable tourism.
Why is it important?
- Maximizes the positive contribution of tourism on conservation of biodiversity
- Has a low impact on environment and local culture
- Reduces poverty by generating income for local communities
- Contribution of economic incentives for habitat protection of flora and fauna
- Revenues generated from visitors are often channelled back into conservation of nature and natural resources
- Tourism can be an effective means in raising social awareness and fostering positive behaviour change for biodiversity conservation among millions of people who travel the globe
How to be a Sustainable Tourist?
1. Avoid the plane or opt for “non-stop” flights
Take-offs and landings cause the most of a plane’s carbon emissions, in addition to emitting a lot of heat. Non-stop flights use least amount of fuel and reduce the plane’s carbion emission. The most desired transportation to avoid leaving carbon footprint is to travel by train which has the least contribution towards emission of greenhouse gases.
2. Go green
Avoid asking for change of sheets and towels everyday in your hotel room. Turn off air conditioning, fans, lights and other electronic gadgets. Follow the hotels’ recycling program. Avoid littering - travel with reusables like reusable water bottles, cutlery, containers for leftovers, cloth bags, etc.
3. Spread awareness on sustainable tourism
The more you spread the word the better. Creating awareness around you helps to spread the word faster. The more people know of the long-term effects of sustainable tourism, the better they will make conscious efforts to become sustainable tourists.
4. Support local businesses
Try out the local cuisines instead of having all your meals at the hotels or ordering from food giants. Avoid all-inclusive packages that would force you to pay up-front for your accommodation and food and deny you the opportunity to try-out local delicacies.
Buy souvenirs from local vendors instead of super-markets. Check for local items of value and not imported ones. This would incorporate money into local economy, promote the local artisans’ work and create more jobs.
5. Support the fight against illegal trade and avoid buying products produced from animal parts
Purchasing wildlife products like ivory or mink coats encourages poaching and trafficking of rare and endangered species. We should discourage this practice.
6. Walk where possible
The most basic and convenient way to explore a new place which reduces our carbon footprint. Check with the local tour guides on places which are safe to walk.
7. Travel more locally
The best and the most efficient way to explore novel places is to travel extensively within our country because that would require you to use the local means of travel like trains, buses, metros, trams and so on.
8. Share your sustainable travel experiences
Sharing subjective experiences with friends and family on sustainable travel inspires them to travel considering the factors that have a positive impact on the environment and consciously avoiding the factors which would lead to unpleasant consequences.
With sustainable forms of tourism, we can create memories, leave behind just our lasting impression instead of carbon footprints which is far more desirable than contributing towards ecosystem degradation.
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