Vacation Home Rentals

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Oct 31

Global tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. As more and more people have access to global travel, the tourism industry is expected to grow even bigger in the years to come. However, although the growth in the tourism industry is bringing in a lot of money and is providing jobs to people in different parts of the world, many environmentalists are alarmed at the rate of destruction that the industry have on the environment. Studies show that more than half of the famous tourist destinations around the world do not meet the sustainable tourism criteria. Most of the famous tourism destinations receive thousands of visitors almost everyday which contributes to the pollution and degradation of the environment. 

To make matters worse, many eco-tour operators who are supposed to be advocates of sustainable tourism are not even practicing the principles sustainable tourism. Not that these eco-tour operators do not understand the need for sustainable tourism but sometimes they simply cannot control the human traffic that come their way. During peak seasons, many eco-tourism destinations are filled beyond their carrying capacity that destruction to the environment is inevitable. More often than not, the environmental losses are so great that it would take years for the place to recover.

Working Towards A More Sustainable Future With Sustainable Tourism

Although there are many eco-touroperators that are not so keen on practicing sustainable tourism, there are also a lot of operators that are rising to the challenge of protecting the environment and the local culture of their place. These eco-tour operators promote sustainable tourism through education and information campaigns. These eco-tourism operators understand that the community plays a vital role in sustainable tourism and involving them in protection and preservation of the environment is necessary. The local residents, on the other hand, are made to understand the importance of keeping the environment healthy to attract more business to their locality. With the understanding that sustainable tourism will mean more jobs and more income to the locals, people are bound to be more enthusiastic is working closely with the eco-tourism operators.

Aside from involving the local communities, many eco-tourism operators also enlist the help of the visitors to preserve and protect the environment. Visitors are given orientation on the principles of sustainable tourism and environment protection as soon as they arrive. By educating the visitors on the need to protect the environment, the eco-tourism operators can reduce the negative impact that these visitors may have in their area.

posted by Vacation Home Rentals on Aug 26

For sustainable tourism, we need to protect the cultural environment as well as the natural environment.  We need to respect local cultures and ways of life, and contribute positively to local communities.  

Tourism has the potential of harming both locally and globally… but by practicing green tourism, the harm we cause will be minimized.   

If we’re not careful, we’ll degrade the environment and the cultures we travel to see.What ever your destination, the locals depend on toursim profits to support their economy.  If you go someplace because there are wonderful native handicrafts, you need to buy some of those handicrafts from locals, so they get the money.  

If you’re visiting a national park, you need to employ locals as guides so they will continue to value and protect the park.  Those are the kinds of things that make for sustainable tourism.

Here are some more things to think about when choosing a hotel, a tour group or activity…..

Is the hotel locally owned and operated so that the profits stay in the community?  If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?

How does the hotel contribute to the local community?Does the restaurant’s fruit and vegetables come from local farms?Are the gift shop souvenirs made locally?

If you’re taking a tour, travel with a tour operator who is environmentally responsible.  Smaller group sizes make less of an impact… and make for a more enjoyable tour for you!

Is the group lead by a local guide?  Does the tour company contribute to the local community in some way?  To have sustainable tourism, the local community needs to benefit; not just some global tour company.

Don’t get off the trail when you are hiking.Stay well away from any wildlife you come upon… for your safety AND for theirs.  “Leave only footprints”… carry your trash out or use trash bins.

If you’re snorkeling or diving, don’t touch the coral.It is easy to stir up sediment or damage corals with your fins, so pay close attention.  Either way you can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem… and most reefs are in trouble now, so they need all of our help.

Try to buy local products…  You’ll support the local economy… and we all need that now no matter what country you’re visiting.  Foods will be fresher, give you a taste of local cuisine and save fuel because they haven’t traveled half way around the world… only YOU have!  Fewer imported products will be needed.  

Never buy anything that you know or suspect is made from endangered animals or plants.  You probably can’t get it through customs, and if you believe in sustainable tourism, you don’t want to contribute to the extinction of another species!  

Treat locals with respect.  You went there to learn about their culture!Know several words… at least hello, good-bye and thank you.  Be open to our cultural differences.  Read up on the area you’ll be visiting so you’ll know how to dress so you don’t offend anyone.  Check to see if there are any behaviors or gestures that will offend your hosts.

Rejoice in our positive differences.  Support them, and you’ll be contributing to sustainable tourism.