Is sustainable tourism a possibility?

Not all tourism is bad tourism if you’re responsible. Here’s how to do it...

There are plenty of ways to reduce the negative impact of travel; you could design your own wind propelled birdman costume to reduce air pollution or make your own sunglasses out of recycled plastic. A far easier way of enjoying sustainable tourism is to take a trip which guarantees that the impact you have on the world is a positive one, and it’s easier than you think. Here are some useful tips for those considering a switch to sustainable travel.

How can I make my trip sustainable?

We’ve put together a handy mental-checklist that you can carry with you when you travel, to make sure your trips are as responsible as possible.

• Learn about the people and the cultures of a destination before you visit, learn a few words in the local language and immerse yourself in local culture while you’re away; this means buying local food, staying in local accommodation, buying souvenirs from local shops and if you need to, using local guides etc.
• Be aware of products or companies that damage the conservation effort. You’ll often find ivory and coral reef ornaments at markets for example. Buying them only increases demand and therefore their profitability.
• If you want to bring gifts for the children on your project, bring useful things like pens and notepads rather than sweets or disposable items.
• Be even more conscious than you are at home about those everyday environmental considerations. Remember to switch off electrical equipment, not to litter and if you are in a country with a water shortage don’t take too long in the shower!
• Consider if the project you work on is based locally and whether it has the best interests of the local population at heart.

Should I volunteer?

Volunteering is one of the easiest ways to travel responsibly. You will find a support network on the project to make you feel at home and help you achieve more than you might think. Volunteering is taking the idea of sustainable tourism that little bit further and not just trying to limit the harm that we do when we travel, but actually make things better. Travellers are naturally an optimistic bunch and have proved very keen to roll up their breathable cotton T-shirts and get to work. Longer stays on volunteer projects help you connect to a place and its people and build a spirit of partnership. It’s a fact of life that the places most of us really want to see are often the most fragile, (just think of the Amazon rainforest or the Galapagos Islands). Extended stays in a location (especially if you use home stays) also mean spending money locally and helping to boost the local economy. This is a key factor behind sustainable development; giving everyone an interest in protecting the environment. After all, it’s called ‘sustainable development’ not ‘sustainable staying the same’; it’s about giving people a way of improving their lives economically that is based around protecting the natural world.

Am I the right sort of person? Am I experienced enough?

If you’ve taken the time to research the best ways to travel sustainably then you’re the sort of person to get the most out of it. Volunteers all over the world are making a difference armed with nothing more than a bagful of enthusiasm and a sturdy pair of boots. Previous experience isn’t necessary and unless you have a rainforest in your back garden, impossible! The fact is you will be doing new and exciting things and the people you work with know this, so will be there to help you every step of the way. Remember, you may be working hard but there wouldn’t be any tourism to sustain if volunteers didn’t enjoy themselves!

I’ve decided to try it, now what can I do?

It’s a big world out there with plenty of ways to get involved. Whichever area it is that you care deeply about you will find plenty of projects around the world that share your passion.

• Community projects One of the joys of community projects is that unlike trees and coral reefs, people really know how to show their appreciation! It’s not that trees aren’t grateful but they tend to be less demonstrative than the children you teach or the families you build houses for! Community projects are some of the easiest to get involved in because between the volunteers and workers you’ll find a readymade support network to help and advise.
• Conservation These are some of the most famous and emblematic projects and campaigns you hear about; from the preservation of endangered species to the saving of the rainforests, conservation projects have become synonymous with the growing appreciation of our impact on the world. Motivation comes easy on conservation projects because you are surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.
• Wildlife Working with animals is perhaps the most rewarding sort of volunteering you can get involved in, but don’t take our word for it, check out the rest of the site and see what previous volunteers say! You won’t doubt for a second that you’re able to make a difference because the first time you feed a lion cub or care for an endangered spider monkey they’ll let you know! You’ll also return with some unbeatable photos!

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