3 MIN READ
10-25-2024
The Positive Impacts of Sustainable Tourism on Local Economies and Ecosystems
Alex Schulze , CEO/Co-Founder
The Positive Impacts of Sustainable Tourism on Local Economies and Ecosystems
According to UN Tourism, over 285 million tourists traveled internationally between January and March of 2024. With the number of travelers on the rise, many tourists are determined to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive impacts on the places they travel to.
This mindset is part of the sustainable tourism movement, and it is a growing trend in the travel industry. The World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities." This method of travel aims to create a balance between fulfilling the needs of tourists, protecting the environment, and benefiting local communities. This ensures that future generations of visitors can continue to enjoy these areas without depleting the resources or harming the people and places that make travel experiences unique. Learn more about the positive impacts of sustainable tourism on local economies and ecosystems for when you plan your next trip for yourself or your organization!
Boosting Local Economies
Sustainable tourism is a catalyst for economic growth in local communities. Unlike traditional tourism, which often channels profits away from local economies, sustainable tourism emphasizes spending on locally owned businesses. Some easy ways to ensure that your money goes back into the communities you are visiting are to:
• Hire local drivers, guides, and homeowners: Locals have direct knowledge and connection to the land and people. In addition to being able to share local customs to help you navigate during your stay, locals are typically more than happy to share about hidden gems in the area to explore that may not have initially been on your radar, amplifying your travel experience and minimizing tourism leakage.
• Eat local food: This is not only a great way to explore the local cuisine of the place you are visiting, but also helps reduce pollution. This cuts out single use plastic, and in addition to tasting delicious, local food doesn’t need to travel as far, eliminating the need for additional CO2 emissions.
• Shop local for mementos: Steer away from commercial shops and instead purchase souvenirs from local handcrafters or marketplaces! Not only will the quality be better made, but it will hold a unique sentimental value.
By keeping it local, you can promote sustainable tourism and ensure that the economic benefits remain within the community, fostering job creation, income growth, and economic resilience.
Preserving Ecosystems
Responsible tourism encourages tourists to engage with local cultures respectfully and sustainably, which not only enriches the travel experience but also strengthens community bonds and cultural preservation.
Conscientious tourism empowers communities by involving them in the decision-making process and giving them control over how tourism develops in their area. Consider adding a volunteer period to support local projects and bring unique once-in-a-lifetime memories to your trip. For instance, initiatives like Plastic Whale take tourists on eco-friendly boat tours along Amsterdam's scenic canals. During their excursion, tourists learn about the history of the surrounding area and simultaneously help scoop up plastic waste floating along the river that will then be repurposed.
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) provides guidelines and standards that ensure tourism activities support both environmental sustainability and community well-being. This balanced approach is crucial for maintaining the delicate ecosystems that attract tourists in the first place, ensuring that tourism does not come at the cost of environmental degradation.
Individual Engagement With Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable travel plays a critical role in preserving ecosystems, but it doesn’t need to be difficult. Putting some time aside to research before your trip will empower you to make the best decisions for you when on your next excursion.
Take some time to look into local transportation options to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions. When exploring new destinations consider low carbon alternatives such as biking, walking, or public transit, which benefits both the local economy and the environment and will also give you a more “local” experience. When packing, consider ways you can reduce plastic overuse on your trip such as not buying bottled water, bringing your own towel, having reusable cutlery/food containers, or having your own tote to carry supplies!
By promoting eco-friendly travel practices such as reducing carbon footprints and minimizing waste and focusing on uplifting local people and causes, sustainable tourism helps protect destinations. Your efforts to be a responsible traveler will ensure that future generations can enjoy these areas as well. Happy travels!