Sustainable tourism has taken off in the post-pandemic world, bringing a new wave of conscious travelling into the picture. With travellers demanding a more planet-friendly trip, travel companies have been left with little choice but to introduce more sustainable travel methods. Additionally, the number of sustainable travel seekers is only increasing with time.
The need for sustainable tourism has become even more pronounced in the present context as many individuals have opted to travel as restrictions have been lifted internationally. Individuals’ incessant demand for travel marks the next wave of travel. The pent-up demand for travel is so high that many travellers are willing to overshoot their budget to plan an elaborate vacation.
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Under these circumstances, travel hotspots are more likely to be the hubs of environmental disruption due to the heavy traveller inflow. Thus, effective action should be taken globally, and it must be quick. Here are a few methods in which sustainable travel can be promoted across countries.
- Implementing eco-friendly transportation – Transport is often deemed as one of the biggest culprits of environmental destruction. Facilitating a global movement might be difficult in this arena. However, airline companies have been working towards reducing their emissions. At the same time, tourists should be encouraged to choose greener methods of transportation, such as electric vehicles.
- Special care given to coastal regions- Many coastal travel spots suffer after tourists flock to the region during peak travel time. Authorities in coastal regions should pay attention to implementing more sustainable ways of promoting tourism. They should also deploy more labour to ensure that the marine ecosystem remains intact.
- Better technology in cruise ships- Cruise organisers should also pay attention to the severe environmental impact left behind by these humungous ships. Clean energy mechanisms should be adopted in ships to combat the impact. This would provide cleaner air for those onboard and also decrease the sea emissions.
- Ditching surface level talk- Surface level discussions on climate change are a good way to bring more tourists to a place. However, they often bring zero results. Many tourism companies have openly declared their interest in sustainable tourism but are making little effort to implement the same. Authorities must ensure that these companies make efforts as required.
- Promoting sustainable labour practices- Another important aspect of promoting sustainable tourism is removing malpractices against the labour force. In many regions, underage workers are hired to reduce costs. This is abundantly visible across countries in Africa. However, a global movement towards sustainability also involves protecting the rights of these child workers.
- Moving away from carbon credits- Tourism companies should understand that carbon credits do not do much to save the environment. While the method is a good way to quantify one’s impact on the environment, it does not ensure more sustainable tourism. However, most hotels do not make any efforts to reverse the damage.
- Spreading awareness among tourists- Travel and tourism authorities should also warn domestic and international tourists about the perils of irresponsible travelling. Most consumers would understand the severity of the situation and take a more proactive approach once they become aware. A collaborative effort is the need of the hour.
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