What Is the Meaning of Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism aims to create minimal impact on the environment, respect for local culture and opportunities for local employment. With environmental issues becoming an ever-increasing concern, and the poverty gap widening between developed and developing nations, sustainable tourism offers a way to both see the world and make a difference.
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Transportation
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How you get to your intended destination has just as much impact as what you do when you get there. Air travel creates a heavy carbon footprint. It is estimated that 2 to 3 percent of the world's total carbon emissions come from air travel. Sustainable tourists will seek out alternative modes of transportation, when possible, such as trains, buses and ferries.
Once you have arrived, consider different ways to get around, rather than renting a car. Look into public transit. Are there bus lines or shuttles that you can take to popular destinations? Is renting a bicycle an option?
Accommodations
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Many hotels are jumping on board the sustainable tourism bandwagon by adopting energy- and waste-saving practices. They may provide biodegradable soaps, energy-efficient lighting, rooms with plenty of access to natural light, or paper goods made from recycled materials. New establishments will also be built in such a way that they do not negatively impact the surrounding environment.
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Activities
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It is becoming clear that some activities and attractions that are good for tourists are bad for the environment. Rainforests and coastal regions are particularly at risk of being damaged by too many visitors. Some activities, such as boat rides, scuba diving or hikes through sensitive ecosystems, may disturb local wildlife populations. Sustainable tourism aims to satisfy the tourists' desire to experience these places in such a way that does not adversely affect the natural landscape.
Employment and Local Benefits
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Particularly in developing nations, tourism can have a huge impact on the surrounding communities, both positively and negatively. Sustainable tourism allows the local society to have a say in the tourism that takes place nearby, as well as directly benefiting from it. Such benefits come in the form of fair employment opportunities, or revenue shares in the profits from game preserves or wildlife parks. Additionally, an emphasis on sensitivity for local culture and customs is held in high priority.
Giving Back
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Many sustainable tours, hotels and travel agencies have partnerships with local organizations. These may include conservation efforts or social programs. Some travel packages will donate portions of their revenue to these programs, or offer opportunities for tourists to get involved.
Additionally, many sustainable tourists opt to take part in volunteer or goodwill services, choosing to spend their vacations directly providing help, rather than just looking in from the outside.
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References
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- Photo Credit beach image by Amjad Shihab from Fotolia.com
