Wondering what Sustainable Travel actually means? I chatted with Sid on Breakfast Television about how are changing as travelers.
1. Sustainable travel is more than environmental awareness, it also means social and cultural sustainability. According to a survey by Booking.com, 65% of Canadian travellers say they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months.
Airlines are combating carbon emissions and many accommodations are implementing solar power, independant water filtration systems.
BUT many organizations are also seeing the need for sustainability BEYOND environmental with community, wildlife and culture.
Shamwari (a game reserve I visited in South Africa) is implementing the following:
- Water security for staff and surrounding towns
- Healthcare through medical clinics established for surrounding towns
- Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Another way to promote social sustainability is through educating kids. I am an ambassador for Children Believe, and they focus on educating girls worldwide. Here is why this is important and contributes to sustainability:
- If every girl worldwide received 12 years of quality education, their combined lifetime earnings could double to $30 trillion globally
- Girls are learning skills to get ready for the “green jobs” needed to save our planet
- Children of literate mothers are 50% more likely to survive past age 5 than children of uneducated mothers
- Educated women invest 90% of their income back into their children’s health and education, and into their communities
2. The way we travel has changed: We are looking for experiences as opposed to ‘things’ and are willing to pay more!
- I was recently at a travel conference in South Africa where a travel analyst summarized what the we traveler looks like.
- referred to as “Adventurous Trendsetters,” financially prioritize making long haul, expensive trips
- Adventurous Trendsetters are willing to pay more for truly unforgettable brands and experiences
- They crave the rush of living on the wild side and chasing thrilling experiences on the unbeaten paths they’re charting around the globe.
- They view travel as more than a passion but a fundamental facet of their self-identity that they are willing to splurge on.
- For these travelers, the most compelling travel experiences provide cultural immersion exploring rich heritage and traditions celebrated by the hosts and friends they meet abroad.
- Adventurous Trendsetters collect memories over material goods and are seeking providers who can promise a blend of luxurious upgrades, wellness benefits, and culturally authentic experiences that will expand their worldview.
3. Slow travel is becoming more popular: Instead of packing multiple destinations into one trip, we are staying in one place for longer, soaking in the destination.
- Slow Travel is an approach to travel that emphasizes connection to local people, cultures, food and music. It relies on the idea that a trip is meant to educate and have an emotional impact, while remaining sustainable for local communities and the environment.
- How can we travel slowly?
- Reduce the number of destinations that we visit
- Take cooking or other experiential classes
- Stay at a locally owned hotel
- Take a guided tour from a local
- Take in a local concert and explore cultural activities.