7 Eye-opening And Simple Ways To Sustainable Traveling

Menu Home Instagram Pinterest-p Facebook-f Twitter Tripadvisor Lingue Sustainability 7 Eye-opening And Simple Ways To Sustainable Traveling Responsible Travel Sustainable travel has many benefits for us, for the places we visit and for the environment. Beside what you might think, in fact, sustainability is something simple. A sunrise over the sea, a typical recipe, a centuries-old tradition, an animal I had never seen before, the smile of a stranger, a gesture. I’ll be honest: traveling and living unique experiences without causing damage and suffering to myself, the planet, animals or other people makes me feel deeply good. ” Sustainable tourism is a travel style based on empathy, respect and wonder.” In the end, it’s all about awareness. That’s why I decided to be a responsible traveler and share this passion with you. Responsible and sustainable traveling: Meaning The first step is to understand what sustainable traveling and tourism mean. Here we need some definitions. This will be very useful for you because among the most disparate information, you will easily understand which is real news and which is just hoaxes to sell, and you’ll save time and (maybe) even some money.  The first and official definitions come from the World Organization of Tourism (UNWTO). Sustainable tourism is a form of travel that: meets the needs of the traveler brings benefit to the destination, increasing opportunities for its future development. But there are many others “ Sustainable tourism is a new way of traveling for those who want to respect the environment, natural elements and local communities” “Sustainable tourism is what maintains the cultural integrity , local ecological processes, the biological diversity, the local life systems” And finally “Sustainable tourism is what takes action in harmony with the environment, the community and local traditions, so that these are the beneficiaries and not the victims of tourism development”. 3 constant concepts emerge in these definitions:Economy, Ethics, Environment. Let’s dive a little deeper. The Values ​​Behind a sustainable travel Every journey brings some kind of change, however small or imperceptible it may be. Growth, experience, emotion. In addition to economy, environment and ethics, in my opinion sustainable travels have three key values ​​that distinguish them: Empathy Respect Wonder.   These represent the pillars of sustainable traveling, and the first and essential basis without which we cannot talk about sustainability. In simple words, the ability to comprehend what’s different ,enthusiasm and respect for life and new things, and an open mind to feel emotions. Unfortunately, current trends show a situation that is still too unbalanced towards profit and comfort, and this often has dramatic consequences. But each of us in our own small way can contribute to reducing this trend. Ecotourism, in this sense, is a very powerful tool. Ethical contact with nature allows us to rediscover that sense of connection that is being lost in urban centers and pushes us to unconsciously cultivate empathy, respect and wonder for it and its creatures, including man. One of my favorite scents: Plumeria Flowers or Frangipani Overtourism : trend and consequences I want to make a clarification. The concept of sustainable traveling arises because its opposite exists. Today tourism is among the main economic activities in the world and provides many jobs. However, as the Journal Nature Climate Change says, the tourism industry is one of the most polluting. Not only that: after the food industry, it is also one of the less ethical towards animals and people as well. So your trip can on the one hand contribute to the development of the country, and on the other become the cause of the loss of local identities and environmental degradation. A clear example is the phenomenon of Overtourism (or mass tourism). “Impact of tourism on a destination, or parts of it, which excessively and negatively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or the quality of visitor experiences”. (UNWTO) And I would add exploitation of many animals and also local inhabitants. Two real examples are the famous elephant bath and giraffe women in Thailand. But there are many others: exaggerated consumption while traveling (more waste, less attention, more pollution), the economy of large chains and multinationals, the search for convenience at the expense of authenticity and environmental protection. “Knowing is the first step to change.” Carrying Capacity Assessment. This value represents the maximum capacity of naturalistic or cultural heritage areas so that tourism is not harmful. In fact, each locality is able to host only a limited number of people in a productive and constructive way, both on an environmental and social level. It is therefore essential not to follow the crowd, try to differentiate yourself and organize sustainable trips, because trendy travels almost always turn out to be banal, stereotyped and absolutely unethical. Ok, now let’s get to practice! 7 ways to sustainable traveling #1 Choose Local, Seasonal and Sustainable Food Let’s not hide behind excuses. Today there are foods for all tastes, habits, needs and cravings. For this reason, one of the simplest things you can do is choosing restaurants and markets that offer local and seasonal food. Opt for dishes made with fresh and nutritious ingredients, and you will have already contributed to reducing the ecological footprint linked to the entire food chain, from greenhouse production to the conservation and transport of food to the other side of the world. If you also want to take a step further and avoid supporting (and maintaining) the food industry’s cruelty towards animals, choose plant-based foods and try vegetarian or vegan restaurants and alternatives: they will surprise you! Do you want to know more about the plant-based diet in a clear, transparent and scientific way? I recommend you take a look at this free program that changed my life for the better. #2 Zero Waste Travel Kit Create an eco-sustainable travel kit. In this case the key words are reusable, compostable and washable. You can range based on habits and needs and include reusable crockery, cutlery, a water bottle, a travel glass, washable