With tourism making up about 8% of the world’s carbon emissions, it is absolutely crucial that travelers seek out sustainable tourism resources and make mindful purchasing decisions. By practicing ecotourism on every trip, travelers can enjoy a symbiotic relationship with the countries they visit.
We’ve compiled a list of important ecotourism guidelines, but nature seekers must be mindful throughout their travels. By being conscious of the ways that our visits impact destinations, we can help them retain their natural beauty and preserve them for future generations.
What is Ecotourism?
According to an abridged definition from UN Tourism, ecotourism refers to nature-based travel that aims to minimize negative impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment. Ecotourism encourages travelers to be conscious of the environment and travel sustainably by limiting their carbon footprint, minimizing negative impacts on the local culture, and increasing social awareness.
To put it simply, ecotourism is all about getting off the beaten path and embodying a mindset of reciprocity with the places you go.
From forest bathing to blue mind travel, nature travel is becoming more and more trendy. However, as more travelers venture out into the wild to seek beauty, tranquility, and wonder, it is essential that environmental protections are prioritized.
Research Ecotourism Destinations
One of the most important ways to practice ecotourism starts before you even pack your bags. By seeking an ethical destination in the first place, you can avoid contributing to overtourism, gentrification, and the resort-ification of communities. By choosing the right destinations to begin with, you know that the community will benefit from the money you spend as a tourist. As a bonus, they also tend to be less crowded and better preserved.
While the list of these ethical destinations is ever-changing, you can use resources like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s list of certifications. As always, do your research and seek out the voices of local communities. You can also be mindful by traveling to popular locations during the off-season to avoid overtourism (and crowds!).
Support Local and Aboriginal Economies
In order to practice true ecotourism, travelers should prioritize spending their money at local businesses. These are the places that make up the heart of a community, and they give destinations the intangible, distinct personality that draws you to them in the first place. We also encourage you to go above and beyond by seeking out tours or experiences with Aboriginal and Indigenous groups.
For example, in what is commonly known as Byron Bay, Australia and traditionally known as the Bundjalung Country, go on a guided Aboriginal tour of the land with Explore Byron Bay to spot koalas and try a variety of local fruits. These tours share local Aboriginal history, including how Bundjalung people traditionally cared for and preserved the land and the ways that colonization has displaced their people.
These kinds of comprehensive tours support local businesses and/or Aboriginal groups all while sharing a holistic perspective of a destination. They inspire us to learn from history rather than repeating its mistakes.
Choose Your Accommodation Wisely
Many large resorts overly distribute single-use plastic items (like water bottles or toiletries), wash towels and linens every day, and construct massive structures that – more often than not – destroy a part of a destination’s ecosystem. Instead of choosing a big hotel chain, opt for locally-owned accommodations and/or smaller, boutique properties.
Smaller operations tend to have more efficient recycling and waste reduction programs in place. You can look on a hotel’s site for their sustainability list which would include whether they are using solar panels, purchasing goods from local businesses, using energy-saving devices, capturing rainwater, and following other environmental initiatives.
Gangtey Lodge is a great example of a sustainability-minded hotel from Bhutan, also known as the world’s first carbon-negative country. This boutique hotel not only monitors its energy usage and waste disposal, but it also crafts a menu that supports local producers and minimizes imports. By choosing accommodation with sustainability initiatives, travelers can put their purchasing power towards properties that empower communities and reduce waste.
Educate Yourself
The ecotourism space is constantly evolving, and it’s our duty as environmentally mindful travelers to be diligent in our purchasing decisions. Keep in mind that ecotourism doesn’t take away from your trip but adds to it. It inspires us to seek out the true beauty of the world without harming it, and it opens us up to new, unique travel experiences.
By using reputable resources, reading well-researched travel journalism, and going beyond social media research, travelers can immerse themselves in the types of travel that make the world a better place. Nobody is perfect, but it’s all about educating ourselves and trying to do better.