Sustainable tourism is travel designed to minimize the impact of humans on the places they visit, encourage protection of both cultural heritage and the environment and provide long-term, socially just economic opportunities for local residents.
Isn't Sustainable Tourism the Same Thing as Ecotourism?
Not exactly. Sustainable tourism should not be confused with ecotourism, which is low-impact travel to fragile rural or wilderness areas. While sustainable tourism and ecotourism share several components, you don't have to go to a pristine natural destination to become involved in sustainable travel.
How Can I Find Sustainable Tourism Hotels and Tour Operators?
You can participate in sustainable travel experiences in large cities, nature reserves and small towns. There are over 70 different sustainable travel certification programs around the world, which means that there is no "one stop shop" that can help you find every sustainable tourism participant at your destination. Still, you can find hotels and travel companies that follow sustainable tourism practices by checking the websites of groups such as the Rainforest Alliance, World Hotel Link and World Heritage Alliance.
The Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria announced its Sustainable Tourism Criteria in 2008. As you investigate sustainable tourism options, you can use these criteria, which cover sustainable management practices, benefits to the local community, environment and cultural heritage and conserving resources and ecosystems, to evaluate hotels and travel providers.
What Can I Expect From My Sustainable Tourism Experience?
Sustainable tourism comes in many forms, from camping and researching with Earthwatch Institute to staying at a luxury beachfront resort in Mexico. There is no one "right" way to experience sustainable tourism. When you book your vacation, take the time to ask your travel agent or destination representative about the level of service and amenities you can expect. Only you can decide which sustainable tourism experience is right for you.
