The value of sustainably-minded tourism practices

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The tourism industry was among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a near-total ban on international travel, there was scarcely any business to sustain tourist-dependent communities, especially in tourism-dependent island states like the Maldives. For strong post-pandemic growth, sustainable tourism has the potential to boost sustainable economic growth in tourism-dependent states to benefit the community and environment.

Fortunately, prior to the pandemic now more than ever, increased awareness of the environmental and social impact of tourism has started to manifest in tourist’s choices, especially among the younger generations. As a result, a push towards more sustainable and responsible tourism is on the rise. In particular, ecotourism continues to surge in popularity, with Allied Market Research reporting that it will generate $103.8 billion (€87.85 billion) in 2027. This is great news for communities looking to join the ecotourism business. But first, what is eco-tourism and how can it actually benefit communities besides monetary gains? 

The phenomenon of ecotourism

Simply put, ecotourism involves small-scale visits to far-flung communities, with the goal of uplifting the preservation of their culture and environment. In Costa Rica, for instance, nearly 1/4 of its green spaces are dedicated eco tourist spots.

Ecotourism has a low impact on participating communities. Trips are centered on hands-on education about — and contributions to — local biodiversity and culture. For example, Australia's Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park, which works to preserve the country's rare species, has programs that let visitors get involved in the process. Beyond that, our contributor Kim De Leeuw previously emphasized that ecotourism aims to uplift local communities. Locals become more incentivized to take care of their surrounding environment and its wildlife as they start to see it as a source of tourist income.

As tourists flock to the destination to enjoy its pristine natural beauty, other members of the community will be encouraged to set up local businesses, such as restaurants and lodgings, to accommodate the tourists. And if government officials recognize this, they will be more likely to provide funding to create natural reserves and minimize the proliferation of illegal poaching and logging.

This also helps tourists see how they directly contribute to creating sustainable forms of livelihood for the community. More importantly, this encourages locals to stay — not only helping combat the mass exodus of rural populations to urban areas but also allowing for a meaningful cultural exchange between tourists and communities.

Calculating risks

As with most things, there are risks involved in letting so many people experience nature up close. Researchers from various American universities reported that the mere presence of humans can affect animals up to half a mile away. And as wild animals get tamer in the course of interacting with humans, their instincts are dulled, making them less likely to survive in the face of both natural and man-made dangers, like trophy hunters.

Many tourists also have a tendency to take home souvenirs of the places they visit, such as a flower, a leaf, or a bottle of soil. In more sensitive ecosystems, this can negatively impact the rare plants and animals that live there.

Ecotours could also turn out to be exploitative in a number of ways. Some programs are carried out without the consent and support of the community, or have travel representatives absorbing all income without fairly compensating the locals.

Other programs teeter on the verge of "voluntourism," an industry known for its unethical practices of keeping communities poor so they can receive aid from rich tourists. This makes these types of tourism offerings an insincere gesture that profits off the fact that locals are part of the world's remaining indigenous population.

Striking the right balance

By recognizing these risks, businesses can adopt more sustainable practices in a way that allows the pros of ecotourism to outweigh its cons. One major change you can (and should) make is to integrate sustainable practices into your operations, such as shifting to renewable energy.

One innovator you can take notes from is UAE-based architect Baharash Bagherian, who, in 2018, revealed designs for a 100% sustainable wildlife conservation center. Composed of a group of biodomes to be placed in the Al Hajar mountains, the center will be capable of handling all waste management and recycling on-site. It will be completely powered by wind and solar energy.

“Usually when you meet a developer, they’re not really into sustainability,” Bagherian shared. “I actually think that [renewable energy] could almost become the heart [of a project].”

Adopting such practices is not just about promoting the use of clean energy and cutting costs. Leading solar company Hoymiles argues it's also about ensuring energy independence and self-sufficiency. After all, why market your tours as eco-friendly if your electricity is produced by diesel generators or power stations using fossil fuels?

Lastly, be sure to promote all your activities on your website or social media accounts, too. This way, you show you value transparency while also avoiding the act of "greenwashing," or falsely advertising your company as being one that runs sustainably.

To further boost the trustworthiness of your business, it's also important that you employ local staff wherever you can and organize projects that give back to the community. This ensures the focus is always on them, their culture, and their environment.

Need a hand? Sea Going Green offers a multitude of consulting services, such as environmental impact assessments and environmental workforce training, to help your business flourish in today's age of Sustainable Development.

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Article contributed by Rafie Jallen

Exclusively for SeaGoingGreen