Welcome to our captivating series on sustainable tourism, where we take you on a discovery of responsible and conscious travel. From ethical travel to inspiring local initiatives, we explore how to explore the world while caring for our planet.
This series will take you behind the scenes of responsible tourism, practical advice for traveling eco-responsibly, and inspiring stories from travelers who contribute positively to local communities.
Prepare to be enchanted by the treasures of our world while becoming engaged travelers. Join us for an adventure towards more sustainable, respectful and enriching tourism!
Traveling is one of life's most exciting and rewarding experiences. You can disconnect from the daily routine, broaden your horizons, explore unknown places, make new connections and discover new cultures.
Tourism is also a leading economic sector , which will contribute 5% to global GDP in 2020. It accounts for one in 12 jobs worldwide and is a major export sector for many countries, both in developing countries than in developed countries.
Although travel can be fun and good for the economy, tourism is responsible for about 8% of carbon emissions worldwide . Whether it's flying, buying souvenirs, using hotel air conditioning, or using fresh linens every day, travel leaves a carbon footprint behind.
Luckily, you don't have to eliminate travel from your life. On the contrary, you can take steps to make travel more sustainable.
It is essential to recognize that alongside its positive effects, tourism has significant environmental impacts that need to be taken into account. Understanding these impacts is the first step towards developing sustainable practices and minimizing our footprint on the planet.
Here are some of the most common side effects to consider.
One of the most significant environmental impacts of tourism is the production of carbon emissions. Air travel, in particular, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Where possible, choose low-carbon modes of transport, such as trains, buses and electric vehicles.
Tourism can lead to habitat destruction and fragmentation, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. The construction of hotels, resorts and infrastructure can result in the loss of valuable ecosystems, including forests, wetlands and coral reefs.
Hotels, for example, require large quantities of water for a variety of uses, including guest use, landscaping and swimming pools. Excessive water consumption can strain local water resources, especially in areas where water is scarce. Additionally, poor wastewater management and pollution from tourism activities can degrade water quality and harm aquatic ecosystems.
Tourism generates a considerable amount of waste, including plastic bottles, food packaging and other disposable items. Poor waste management and inadequate recycling infrastructure can lead to pollution of terrestrial and marine environments.
Tourism can disrupt natural habitats and disturb fauna, especially in fragile ecosystems. Activities such as fauna observation, pleasure navigation and off -road driving can cause stress, housing movement and a disruption of the reproduction and food patterns.
The terms “sustainability” and “sustainability” became popular in the 1980s. They emerged in the context of a growing awareness of an impending ecological crisis.
Today, the term “sustainable” has become a sort of buzzword used in different contexts, for example sustainable transportation , sustainable development and sustainable travel .
When it comes to sustainable travel, however, misunderstanding is rife. A 2019 National Geographic survey found that 42% of travelers would be willing to prioritize sustainable travel in the future, but only 15% knew what the term “sustainable travel” meant.
Compared to 2019, global tourism fell by 83% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, despite all the societal crises, natural disasters and economic downturn, tourism has always shown resilience and bounced back.
Thanks to vaccinations and the easing of travel restrictions, the numbers are on the rise again. According to forecasts from the World Tourism Organization ( UNWTO ), the number of international tourists is expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030.
The pandemic has not only affected travel industry statistics: it has allowed us to look at travel from a different perspective and see how we can approach it more responsibly.
At Bolt, we offer sustainable journeys – through carpooling and micromobility – in more than 500 cities around the world.
Download the app and start taking small steps towards a greener future.
