There are lots of buzzwords that are thrown around in travel guides and blogs, but one that doesn’t get enough mention as it should is “sustainable tourism.”
Sustainable tourism refers to tourism that is done in a way that contributes in a positive way to the place that you’re visiting, in terms of its environment, society, and economy.
As we know, tourism done the wrong way can be highly detrimental. Mass tourism in places like the Caribbean often deteriorates the natural ecosystem of these places, forces residents away from their former homes, and congregates money received from tourism in the hands of a few wealthy individuals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BraVs5aHuxS/
Sustainable tourism is a way to create positive change and to use tourism as a force for the common good. People that follow the idea of sustainable tourism try to do a few things:
- Not disturb or harm the environment.
- Use sustainable, mass transit options when possible.
- Patronize small businesses and hotels instead of large companies.
- Support organizations and institutions that conserve cultural heritage and traditions.
While many associate “green tourism” with the idea of sustainable tourism, it’s also possible to visit places sustainably even if they’re in a big city. You can opt to move around using the metro instead of a rental car, and you can grab a coffee at a local roaster’s shop instead of heading to the franchise of a large corporation.
Tourism should be both enjoyable and sustainable, and we are better off if tourists, locals, and the land coexist in mutually beneficial harmony.
