Escape with peace of mind by opting for responsible travel!
Does the irresistible urge to pack your rucksack, unpack your suitcase and set off on an adventure never leave you? Do the various posts on social networks and travel memories make you want to go elsewhere? From Greece to Tulum, Bali toIceland, you don’t know where to turn. And just as you’re about to choose your dates, buy your tickets and book your hotel, you find yourself torn between the need for a change of scenery and the guilt of participating in mass tourism.
As you’ve no doubt already read somewhere, the number of harmful effects of tourism on a global scale is immeasurable. Whether from an environmental or social point of view, its impact is undeniable, and even more so since the health crisis. Does this mean you have to give up your dreams of escapism? Rest assured, there are new alternatives for traveling in a reasonable way.
Over the past few years, eco-responsible tourism has been gaining ground, attracting more and more people with its values and fundamentals aimed at minimizing environmental impact and favoring local populations. As you’ll see, there’s no shortage of good reasons to travel differently.
1. Limit your environmental impact
Photo credit: Shutterstock – petrmalinak
Today, eco-tourism has the wind in its sails, and it owes this above all to public awareness of environmental issues. While mass tourism leads to excessive consumption of natural resources and a surplus of waste that we struggle to sort, this new alternative puts nature and its future at the heart of the debate. And to be good students, even small gestures count.
Limit the time you spend underwater in rented accommodation, make litter management a priority, respect the flora and fauna of each country you visit, and avoid polluting car journeys whenever possible. Whatever your destination, traveling differently opens the door to new, greener and more respectful horizons.
2. travel off the beaten track
Photo credit: Shutterstock – lga Gavrilova
More than a superb initiative to preserve the environment, responsible travel is also an opportunity to venture off the beaten track. Far from the usual mass tourism circuits, gigantic hotel complexes and crowded tourist streets, it takes you to unique, unspoilt places you might not have thought to visit in the first place.
Without missing out on the must-sees of your host destination, you’ll have the chance to discover a few hidden nuggets. In the heart of wild landscapes, on the edge of beaches or even in the heart of the city, you’ll be able to enjoy unique, ethical and fair-trade experiences.
So take a stroll through places kept away from the tourist hustle and bustle, try your hand at local activities, sample typical homemade dishes, stay in charming accommodation and use traditional transport wherever possible.
3. encourage sharing and encounters
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Allen.G
As you can see, traveling differently is based on respect for the environment, and also allows you to see beyond the limits set by the usual itineraries. And in this process, encounters with local populations play an important role.
What better way to familiarize yourself with their culture than by staying with them or meeting them? Gain an insight into their way of life through participatory activities, showing an interest in their ancestral practices and heritage. Unforgettable experiences are guaranteed!
4. Contribute to the development of local economies
Photo credit: Shuttertock – Robilad Co
Although the focus on local populations allows travelers to experience a more authentic immersion and creates precious moments of sharing, this is not its only purpose. While it’s undeniable that the tourism industry plays an important role in the economies of many countries, some more than others, the veil is gradually being lifted on its large-scale harmful effects. These include the exclusion of local people from the economic and social mainstream.
With the construction of imposing infrastructures, the creation of tourist centers, and the rise in rents and prices in general brought about by the increase in visitors, the local inhabitants are often forced into rural exodus or forced to pay high prices. Responsible travel, on the other hand, seeks to make their lives easier and involve them in the organization of their stays. In this way, they can ensure that their customs and environment are respected, while benefiting from the economic spin-offs. The result is « better places to live and visit ».
5. rediscover the best of home
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Guaxinim
We often dream of far-off places, of travelling to distant lands, even of circumnavigating the globe. But do we really know what’s just around the corner? That’s what traveling differently is all about: prioritizing destinations close to home and limiting the environmental impact of our various journeys.
This way of traveling encourages you to choose a less polluting means of transport than air travel. And, at the same time, it encourages you to discover treasures and beautiful landscapes without even leaving your own country. Get on your bike to explore your region, take advantage of beautiful hikes close to home to feast your eyes or take a train ticket to explore a nearby town. There are so many possibilities!
What about you? Have you already adopted eco-responsible travel or are you tempted by the experience?