As global climate change becomes increasingly evident, it is important to acknowledge the impact that tourism has on the environment. In order to make a positive change, it is essential that we take steps towards sustainability in the tourism industry.
When travelling via airplane, the amount of CO2 emissions released is staggering. In fact, one airplane emits 150 percent more emissions than one car. This means that travelling by plane is the worst option for sustainable travel. Additionally, huge hotels are contributing to the problem by wasting large amounts of food and consuming vast amounts of water, electricity and heating - all of which have significant environmental impact.
Sustainable tourism offers a variety of benefits to local economies, including job creation and economic growth through accommodations and gastronomy. As tourists, it is important to support sustainable options to help maintain the competitiveness of a country's economy and to encourage environmentally conscious practices.
In order to make tourism sustainable, it is important to be mindful of the waste we produce and conserve resources whenever possible. By separating waste and not littering, we can reduce our impact on the environment. When staying in hotels, we can be environmentally friendly by reusing our towels and taking shorter showers to conserve water and electricity. Turning off the air conditioning or heating when not in use can save energy as well. Finally, when dining out, we should only take what we will actually eat, to help reduce food waste.
With the urgent need to address climate change, it is crucial that we take measures to change our travel habits. It is time for the tourism industry to shift towards sustainable practices, as our planet is at stake. Let us start today and take care of our planet so that we can all continue to travel and explore the world in a responsible and sustainable way.