The Environmental Problem With Tourism (And How to Fix It)
Photo by Elizeu Dias
Many countries around the world rely on tourism as a vital source of GDP. Destinations known for their natural beauty, unique biodiversity and favorable climate, like Mexico, Bali or Thailand, are a lucrative market for tourists to return to again and again to discover their wonders. On the other hand, this reliance on tourism for economic growth comes with its own set of downsides including potentially unsustainable destination management of wildlife and resources and now tourism aftershocks from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As destinations prepare to open post-pandemic, now is the time to think about the way forward with plans and strategies to lessen the harmful impacts stemming from tourism. This way sustainability can open the door for more opportunities for sustainable growth, which will make the sector and tourism-dependent countries more resilient.
In this blog, I will analyze some of the negative environmental impacts that tourism has had prior to the pause spurred by COVID-19 followed by solutions to pave the way for a more sustainable tourism industry.
Going on Vacation Is Inherently Unsustainable
Let’s think about an average vacation. To get to your destination, you may need to board a plane, drive to your accommodation, use hotel facilities and partake in recreational activities before returning home. These actions are all inevitably environmentally unsustainable if you factor in the CO2 emissions emitted, energy used and plastic waste generated.
The truth is that all travel and its associated activities have a footprint regardless of where you stay and what you do, although some vacations may create a much bigger impact than others depending on the destination you choose.
Let’s look at the Philippines, where overtourism took its toll on Boracay’s natural environment. The Filipino government had to close a famous party island in 2018 due to excessive pollution on the beaches, which was created largely from overtourism and lack of waste infrastructure. In many cases like this one, when profit has been put ahead of sustainability, the outcomes are devastating for those that depend on tourism for survival and for the environment itself.
Quick solutions: While responsibilities should be broken down on a case by case basis, governments and destination managers can choose to make operational changes and put in place sustainable infrastructure to protect and support both people and the planet. This can be achieved via certification and domestic and international commitments to pivot towards sustainability.
In the process of booking a destination, individuals can research the sustainability of their dream destination and choose more sustainable accommodations and attractions. If you find that a place that you’d like to visit is a victim of overtourism, you can make the decision to visit a neighboring destination instead, where tourism is more local and authentic. Tourists can additionally make their trip more sustainable by choosing local food offerings, avoiding bottled water and more.
The Impact of Wildlife Tourism
Let’s dissect wildlife tourism specifically. These experiences account for around 10% more trips every year. After all, it’s not a surprise that people want to see places like the Amazon rainforest and African savannahs and the wildlife that live there. While wildlife tourism remains a divisive topic amongst tourism experts and conservationists, let’s break down the nature of the industry including the perceived pros and cons.
Pros: Travelers who visit exotic creatures boost local economies — which ultimately provides citizens with necessities such as health care and education. Visitors often come away with more respect for wildlife, as well. Some states and countries also have regulations that protect land and marine creatures during these excursions. There’s plenty of progress to be made here, but it’s certainly a plus that some governments have taken legal action to safeguard wildlife amid human interaction.
Cons: There are other contributing factors, including illegal trade and poaching, that make conditions harder for wildlife as a result of wildlife tourism. Many animals aren’t able to thrive due to poor habitat conditions either. This point is applicable to both land and marine wildlife. These details are clearly alarming. They become even more so when countries rely on wildlife tourism so heavily that no wildlife means no local jobs. Therefore, it’s evident that more needs to be done to protect these creatures for improved environmental and social sustainability.
Quick solutions: If you would like to visit wildlife, make sure to do your research and choose interactions at animal rehabilitation centers and nature reserves over experiences that offer “selfie-taking” with wildlife, these should be avoided at all costs. Preferably, visit wildlife in their natural unenclosed habitats, where they are able to roam freely and where interactions cause the least harm.
Can Ecotourism Provide a Solution?
Ecotourism refers to travel that sustainably supports wildlife and locals.This alternative to traditional tourism could be the key to traveling with a lower environmental footprint while promoting animal conservation. There are also significant benefits for local citizens from ecotourism such as:
Activities like nature tours provide jobs.
This practice inherently promotes conservation, so communities themselves will be able to protect their natural resources and wildlife populations in the long run.
It’s sometimes possible to get government funding for related projects, which alleviates financial burdens.
Travelers who participate are more likely to connect with and support local businesses.
Destinations like Kenya and Costa Rica have poured various resources into ecotourism. These countries provide tours with qualified guides who help visitors see their land in an eco-friendly way. They educate tourists on native wildlife and communities rather than asking for $5 to take a picture.
There are three main types of ecotourism. Here’s a quick look at each:
A cultural ecotourism trip might involve visiting ancient Mayan ruins, where you learn about traditional customs and indigenous culture.
An endangered wildlifeecotourism vacation would allow you to see animals through a protective experience at a local conservatory. There’d also be a chance to learn about each animal.
An adventure ecotourism trip involves a more “thrilling” experience for some travelers. Here, you could take a guided canoe tour down a local river to discover the local nature.
These are all opportunities that provide a better experience for wildlife and communities. Far too often, it’s detrimental for countries to host tourists — and ecotourism could be the best solution for everyone involved. There’s work to do, but it’s a positive development for many reasons.
Quick solutions: While planning a vacation, you should research activities and excursions that fall under the three types of ecotourism. Tourists should consider the environmental impacts of their choices, too. Rather than booking a tour or experience that could disturb natural habitats, you should look for a program led by conservationists to help you get up close and personal with the animals in a safe and sustainable way.
Tourism Can Achieve Greater Sustainability
Because so many countries rely on tourism to fuel their economies, it’s crucial to find ways to make these experiences better for visitors, wildlife, locals and the environment alike. Thankfully, ecotourism could provide a solution along with improved destination management and sustainable changes to tourist behavior for better interactions with the environment and its biodiversity. Now to prepare for post-COVID tourism, destinations, tourism boards and operators can use this time to take the necessary steps to improve the sustainable potential of tourism.
Do you want to be a catalyst for change within the tourism industry? We can get you started.