There are a lot of terms that have become common terms within the environmental realm: sustainability, regeneration, recycled, and greenwashing to name a few. Ecotourism has also become more well-known and used in both marketing and when describing and optimal way to travel. So what is ecotourism? Generally, it is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015). This is a very broad definition, and rightfully so: everywhere in the world is different, therefore it is important to tailor this definition to where you are traveling so you can be a conscious tourist.
Ecotourism is one of my favorite things to highlight and focus on. It’s where my passion for travel and sustainability meet, and is a niche that I hope will grow as more people learn about it. It is not just about visiting beautiful places, it’s about really understanding the impact you make as a tourist. This impact can be either empowering or detrimental to the place you visit, and it’s about seeing not just the place, but the people and the culture.
How to Implement Ecotourism in Your Travels
Do Your Travel Research
If you are a seasoned traveler, this may come as no surprise to you, but it’s important to always do your research on where you plan to travel. Is it a popular destination? If so, you may want to consider the impact of huge amounts of people going to a place at one time, which could be destroying the local ecosystem. To avoid this, you may want to look into the slower seasons, or perhaps even choose another destination. Learn about the local culture before you arrive: what languages are spoken, popular local dishes or food, common practices or etiquette. The goal is to provide a positive experience for both you and the host and to give the place and people you are visiting the utmost respect.
Book With Certified Sustainable and Locally Owned Companies
To avoid exploitation and to empower the local community, check if where you are staying is locally owned. This will ensure that the finances from your travel directly empower the local community rather than funnel back into the pockets of a multi-national business. This also applies to any activities you plan to do, such as scuba diving or tours. Another thing to research is what sustainable practices they take in order to ensure as little environmental impact as possible. Most of the time these are displayed on their websites and you can fact-check these certifications. If you plan to do tours that involve wildlife, check their website or send them an email asking if they respect local wildlife by not involving the animals in any of the activities (such as feeding, petting, or allowing rides).
Lower Your Impact
No matter where I travel, I always make sure to bring items that will reduce my carbon footprint. I bring reusable cutlery, my own water bottle, reef safe sunscreen, and other things to ensure that I’m not using unnecessary plastic which could end up hurting the place I plan to visit. These small actions, when done by thousands of individuals, can make a huge positive difference on where and how you travel.
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