By Ashley V.
Last week, we learned all about the cons of travel. This week, we get to look on the bright side. Before my research, if you had asked me if travel was sustainable, it would have been a resounding no. But I was surprised to find that travel plays a big part in resource protection, job creation, and so much more. Let’s dive deep into how travel is sustainable…
Environmental Protection
Many natural resources around the world would be undervalued if not for tourism. If no money comes into the local economy from tourism, then why would a local community want to protect that land when it makes them no money? There would be a lot more pressure on natural places to be turned into mines, landfills, suburbs, etc., if not for the tourism revenue that locals can make off of protecting the environment rather than trashing it. Tourism allows people to see the value in their resources and preserve it to secure their revenue stream. Believe it or not, when you travel to natural places, it’s helping protect those natural wonders.
Wildlife Protection
People travel all over the world to see exotic and rare species. Tourism creates the incentive for people to protect and conserve these species so they can continue to bring in tourism revenue. For example, an adult male lion in Amboseli National Park in Kenya generates $515,000 in tourist revenue throughout its lifetime. However, a poacher that brings in the same lion will only receive $1,150 for its meat and skin.1 Based on the revenue, it makes much more sense to preserve and protect these lions and stop poaching so that tourism dollars continue to flow. If tourism stopped, what would be the economic incentive to protect the species (yes, we should not need a financial incentive to save species, but unfortunately, that is not the world we live in). Keep in mind that these animals need to be cared for in a respectful and humane manner; otherwise, it is not sustainable.
Side Note: Many organizations like the World Wildlife Fund, Nature Conservancy, and Rainforest Alliance understand the connection between tourism and biodiversity protection. Thus they support sustainable travel even with the implications of climate change.
Cultural Values
Did you know that cultural heritage tourism contributes roughly $171 billion to local economies each year?2 By traveling to locations and taking the time to explore their cultural and heritage centers, you are increasing the value of that culture. Tourism encourages the development, protection, and preservation of cultural resources, crafts, arts, food, and way of life. In Succotz, Belize, tourism has influenced the locals’ respect for knowledge of the ancient Mayan culture. Local craft makers are increasingly turning to archaeologists to create goods that more accurately reflect the Mayan culture.1
Job Force
Before the pandemic, travel and tourism were responsible for 1 in 4 new jobs created worldwide.3 Tourism is a massive job creator and is considered one of the world’s largest industries.1 In fact, many of the world’s least developed countries are utilizing tourism to enhance their economic development, which can help alleviate poverty in many parts of the world. Not to mention that 54% of the industry is run by women. These tourism jobs provide working opportunities for women around the world in many locations where they had few or no other work options.4
I hope you now understand why judging the sustainability of travel is not as cut and dry as it seems. While there are serious drawbacks, there are also legitimate positives from tourism. Travel is like a double-edged sword (damned if you do, damned if you don’t). We are talking about these issues because you need to understand the full ramifications of our choices to travel and the implications they have around the world. In our next post, we will be talking about ways that you can travel more mindfully now that we understand the impacts of our vacation choices.
Sources –
1 – B. Bynum Boley (2015) To Travel or Not to Travel? Both Have Implications for Sustainable Tourism, Tourism Planning & Development, 12:2, 208-224, DOI: 10.1080/21568316.2014.925489
2 – https://sustainabletravel.org/our-work/empower-communities/
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