New studies by the University of Georgia say that more people travel for the “likes” or the popularity that travel generates on their social media accounts. Besides the amount of positive feedback that social media generates, better, quicker, and more economically affordable travel are other important factors contributing to the rise in tourism. Tourism, however, has put enormous pressure on the earth’s natural resources, contributed to biodiversity loss, and increased air pollution. The deep decline of international travel due to the pandemic has alleviated some of these pressures, but the road to recovery will require innovative and bold actions. This review is intended to emphasize the relevance of responsible tourism practice and provide an overview of responsible tourism development.
Background
Sustainable tourism is a term used and described by the United Nations World Travel Organization as
“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.” All forms of tourism, including the various niche tourism segments like cultural, business, geographical, and family reunion tourism, impact the environment, society, and the economy.
Thus, it’s essential to identify practical solutions for each of these categories. Take, for example, business travel. How can business owners begin to minimize the environmental impacts of corporate travel? While the solution is not always a straight answer, one practical solution could be to implement efficient travel policies that prioritize sustainable efforts.
Challenges
According to Sustainable Travel International, tourism is responsible for 8% of the world’s global emissions. With the release of even more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, mitigating these heat-trapping gases is essential. The chart below separates each activity that contributes to carbon release and depicts transportation as the main constituent. Over the following sections, we will drive the attention towards the impacts generated by transportation and lodging. These two supply different forms of footprint like;
- Depletion of natural resources
- Pollution
- Physical impacts and social implications
Transportation
Forms of travel for tourists include planes, cars, trains, ships (cruises), and even hot air balloons. The problem with our conventional tourism industry is that it’s driven by poor policies and investments that support nonrenewable fuel sources. The outcome of such unsustainable practices is leading to more and more natural oil and mineral depletion. We are also all too familiar with the forms of environmental and health effects of transportation systems. Long-term exposure to air pollutants, for example, is the cause and aggravating factor for stroke, heart disease, and even lung cancer, accounting for 4.2 million deaths each year (World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers report that there are other invisible threats to air pollution. These threats can impact worker productivity and mental health. Along with jeopardizing human health, air pollution is also responsible for negatively impacting wildlife and the environment directly through events known as; acid rain, eutrophication, haze, ozone depletion, and global warming.
Lodging
The revolution of the lodging market has granted tourists a wide variety of accommodation options at even economical rates. However, collectively they are a significant source of resource consumption. Below are just two examples of how the hospitality industry is deteriorating the world’s natural resources.
- Intense use of natural resources like water for landscaping and cleaning, leading to severe water shortages.
- Excessive reliance on fossil fuels used to power water heaters, lights, refrigerators, laundry machines, and lights.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that hotels and other lodgings consume 15 percent of the total water used by commercial institutions in the United States. What’s less talked about but equally important is the pollution this industry creates. Hotel operations can lead to:
- Enormous waste in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas.
- Water pollution is in the form of littering of plastics and hazardous chemicals that contaminate water supplies.
Plastic aquatic debris is much more than just an aesthetic problem. As the EPA says, plastic, when consumed by marine animals, fills their stomachs, causing them to starve. Despite their impact on aquatic life, human consumption of micro-plastics (MPs) also can affect human health. An article published by Science Direct says, “MPs act as vectors for microorganisms & toxic chemicals posing further health risks.” The construction of new hotels, which tend to be located near sacred natural sites, has tremendous impacts not just on the ecosystems but also on locals. Intrusion or provision of infrastructure marks a dark history for Indigenous people. There’s also the destruction of carbon sinks which is caused by the clearing of tropical forests. These are just a few examples of the footprint that’s left behind by tourism infrastructure.
Building Sustainable Travelers
Opt for Greener Modes of Transport
- To minimize as much carbon emissions from travel, consider more innovative ways of air travel.
- By booking direct flights and flying in economy class, you can begin to cut down on emissions.
- Fly on newer aircraft that are equipped to be more fuel-efficient.
- Invest in progressive airlines that are already implementing alternative forms of fuel. Check out sustainablejungle.com for more information on airlines using renewable biofuels.
- When you reached your destination, do your research and find the most sustainable form of transportation available. This may be as easy as renting a bike to get around.
- Invest in carbon offsetting programs when air travel is essential. Goodwings is one company that lets you book your entire vacation, and they promise to remove carbon emissions associated with your flight, hotel stay, and even your meals. Double your carbon offset, so you are actually lowering your carbon footprint.
Eco-friendly Accommodations and Hotel Tips
- Minimize travel footprint by using some of these hotel hacks:
- Consider planning ahead so that your travel doesn’t contribute to large amounts of plastic waste. One example would be to inform hotel management that you will be bringing your bathroom toiletries and thus reduce single-use plastic.
- Leave the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the hotel door to avoid unnecessary washing of bathroom towels.
- According to Reconomy, Food Waste accounts for more than 50% of waste in the hospitality industry. Thus, avoid booking through all-inclusive or all-you-can-eat hotels.
- If you can, try to invest in sustainable hotels that optimize environmental resources, conserve ecological processes, and respect indigenous lands. Ensure you look for green certifications like Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
Support Locals
- Buy local! Supporting the local economy by eating and shopping locally. Check out Green Suitcase Travel’s Tips on Supporting Local Artisans for more information.
- Staying in local accommodations is another excellent way to give back to the local communities.
- Support eco-friendly local tour companies. Sustaining Tourism provides a list of sustainable tour operators.
Preserve Wildlife
- Animal tourism can be unethical before booking your tour, do your research. Avoid anything that allows tourist to touch or ride animals. A great way to invest your money on tours is to visit restoration projects and rehabilitation centers. Check out 10 of the best ethical travel companies for more information.
Developing a Sustainable Tourism Sector
Environmental Sustainability
Mitigating emissions attributed to the transportation sector need effective policies that no longer subsidize oil companies but rather support renewable forms of energy—upgrading battery efficiency and upgrading electric vehicle infrastructure. Lastly, promoting sustainable travel methods by building more pedestrian sidewalks, integrating cycling traffic, and bolstering cleaner ways of travel.
The pandemic offers hotels the unique opportunity to reshape operations. Adapting sustainability within hotel operations can begin with resource efficiency.
Instead of wasting food, hotels can repurpose food to feed local animals, use it as biofuel or donate it to local shelters. There is also the concept known as FARM TO TABLE, which provides guests with nutritious organic food and minimizes GHG emissions attributed to the transportation of food.
To cut down on plastic waste, a hotel recycling program that uses high-impact recycling bin graphics can be a great resource. Minimizing paper/plastic use through technology for check-ins, room entry, and event bookings.
Energy use can also be minimized by replacing appliances with Energy Efficient appliances; Energy Star-rated heating and cooling systems; replacement of HVAC systems; high-efficiency washers, and smart lighting. Lastly, investing in green infrastructure such as solar panels/biofuels/CHP (combined heat and power).
Water savings can be approached through a combination of different methods like;
■ Encouraging guests to reuse towels
■ Leak detecting water systems and water-efficient bathrooms
■ Rainwater harvesting tanks to irrigate gardens
In terms of a hotel’s natural impact, hotels can begin restoring natural habitat by promoting native plants as part of the garden.
Placing stringent standards and penalties not just on national parks but also on vulnerable natural areas can be the best way to eliminate ecosystem disruptions caused by tourism.
Social Sustainability
Across all tourism industry sectors, improving health and safety for workers and guests is the immediate factor that needs to be tackled.
Building awareness of the impact COVID-19 placed on vulnerable communities and implementing policies that economically reinforce their businesses.
Hospitality and tourism sectors should also ensure fair wages to all staff and only hire local workers.
Hotels can also directly support local artisans by selling traditional crafts, artwork, and clothing at the gift shop.
Economic Sustainability
The government should provide incentives for industries that seek to adapt sustainability across all operations. This can be done through stimulus recovery programs.
Reducing the impact of food waste by implementing on-site composting can help save hotels money. Waste can simply be composted and turned into fertilizer for hotel gardens.
Hotels can save money on utility costs when efficient energy systems and renewable energy are used.
Featured image from worldatlas.com