Sustainable tourism aims to reduce the harms caused by the tourism industry, protect communities and secure the industry’s long-term future. As a concept, it’s concerned with minimizing any negative environmental, economic and social consequences stemming from tourism activities.

The importance of sustainable tourism is growing as people become more aware of the threat of climate change. There is also heightened awareness of the social upheaval caused by the growth of a location’s tourism industry.

In this article, you’ll learn what sustainable tourism looks like in practice and why it has emerged as a major trend.

Table of Contents:

What Is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism refers to types of travel where tourism’s environmental, social, and economic impacts are factored in and where relevant adjustments are made to minimize these negative consequences. It considers the needs of travelers and host communities, local businesses, and the natural world. According to the Statista Ecotourism Report, in 2022, the global ecotourism industry had an estimated worth of $172.4 billion worldwide.

This could mean adopting more sustainable methods of transportation, staying in more environmentally friendly accommodations, eating locally and ethically sourced foods, and avoiding harmful activities. Sustainable tourism can be related to leisure, business or event travel, and travel to visit friends and family.

Video: Why Sustainable Tourism?

What Is the Goal of Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism’s ultimate goal is to reduce tourism’s impact on local communities and the environment. This means making optimal use of resources to avoid over-consumption, helping with the conservation of the natural world, making a conscious effort to respect local traditions and heritage, and contributing to their preservation.

A major objective linked to sustainable tourism is making travel’s long-term future more viable, achieved through education and behavioral changes. Additionally, sustainable tourism aims to provide economic and social benefits for local communities, resulting in more of a mutually beneficial ‘give and take’ relationship.

What Is the Difference Between Responsible and Sustainable Tourism?

The concepts of sustainable tourism and responsible tourism are closely linked to such an extent that they are often used interchangeably. However, there are some differences between the two ideas, and it can be helpful to get to grips with what separates the two terms and what unites them.

Sustainable tourism is heavily focused on the long-term sustainability of the tourism industry so that current needs do not compromise the needs of future generations. Responsibility is shared between political leaders, tourism companies, and other stakeholders. On the other hand, responsible travel is primarily concerned with how individuals interact with the destinations they visit, and the focus is generally on people making behavioral changes.

Why Is Sustainable Tourism Important?

The concept of sustainable tourism is incredibly important because while travel can generate economic benefits for a local area and provide jobs for those in the industry, it can also have negative consequences, including over-use of resources, displacement of wildlife, and damage to local culture, all while contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

As tourism is expected to continue to grow in the years ahead, current tourism habits will become unsustainable because they are causing too much harm to the environment, local communities, and the earth’s natural resources. This makes sustainable travel essential for the long-term viability of the tourism industry.

By prioritizing sustainable tourism, governments, travel companies, airlines, hotels, restaurants, and travelers can all help to ensure tourism is still possible in the years to come. When steps are taken to benefit locals and minimize the harm caused by tourism, it becomes a force for good in the world.

Different Types of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism is a broad umbrella term that has several different sub-categories. Understanding the different types of sustainable tourism can be especially important for those involved in tourism marketing.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is the name given to responsible or green tourism to areas of natural beauty, with a particular focus on ecological conservation. Ecotourism aims to protect the natural environment, find ways to benefit local communities while respecting their culture and educate travelers about the importance of responsible travel. Energy efficiency, water conservation, and wildlife and indigenous people protection are all key.

Community Tourism

Community tourism occurs when a local community invites tourists to visit and provides accommodation. Crucially, this ensures that the local community always has control over their local tourism industry, making the key decisions and setting their own restrictions. Community tourism is often based on creating realistic life experiences in developing areas, and unique or unusual accommodation is a regular feature.

Rural / Ethno Tourism

Rural tourism refers to travel that centers around rural rather than urban areas. It includes everything from hiking and camping trips to agritourism, where tourists may participate in farming activities and experience agricultural lifestyles. Ultimately, this kind of tourism focuses on natural features, such as forests, hills, mountains, fields, and waterfalls, rather than cities, tourist hot spots, and built-up areas.

Soft Tourism

Soft tourism is a form of travel that prioritizes local experiences, education, respect for local culture, and avoiding tourist hot spots. It can be contrasted with hard or mass tourism, which is large-scale and focused on popular tourist attractions and destinations. Companies operating according to soft tourism principles will prioritize longer stays, jobs for locals, and measures to avoid over-crowding.

Table: More Types of Sustainable Tourism & Examples

Type of Sustainable Tourism Description Key Characteristics
Adventure Tourism Combines outdoor activities with sustainability Hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, environmental stewardship.
Agrotourism Focuses on rural areas and agriculture Farm visits, agricultural activities, sustainable farming practices.
Marine Tourism Coastal and marine exploration Snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, marine ecosystem protection.
Educational Tourism Learning experiences and cultural exchanges Workshops, cultural exchanges, gaining knowledge about destinations.
Green Tourism Eco-friendly travel practices within the industry Sustainable accommodations, transportation, and activities.

What Are the Advantages of Sustainable Tourism?

In general, sustainable tourism can be thought of as responsible travel. Still, businesses, tourism workers, and tourists need to appreciate some of the main advantages.

1. It Looks Out for Wildlife

An important component of sustainable tourism is the conservation of wildlife, which ranks among the most significant benefits of the practice. When decisions are made about the needs of local wildlife, it prevents natural habitats from being destroyed and allows animals to thrive. Crucially, sustainable tourism also allows wild animals to stay in the wild, rather than being in captivity and used as a tourist attraction.

Sustainable Tourism - Advantages of Sustainable Tourism

2. It Protects the Environment

Another key benefit of sustainable tourism is the focus on protecting the environment. Sustainable hotels and other forms of accommodation will use eco-friendly materials and take steps to limit the amount of waste they produce or the amount of resources they use. Sustainable transportation could involve hiring a bicycle rather than using a car. Sustainable restaurants, meanwhile, will source food locally and may offer more vegetarian and vegan options.

3. It Supports Local People

When tourists make the conscious decision to turn to sustainable tourism companies, and when governments take steps to help those companies too, they are all contributing to the wellbeing of local people. Sustainable tourism can provide jobs for the local area, funding for local projects, and stimulate the local economy. By contrast, mass tourism, with no focus on sustainability, is often more exploitative and can inadvertently harm local culture and indigenous people.

4. It Can Change Attitudes

Significant educational components are associated with sustainable and environmental tourism, which can help tourists adjust their attitudes and behaviors over the longer term. This is important because the greater demand for sustainable tourism, the more pressure will be placed on businesses and governments to deliver what customers are looking for, and, in the process, this can lead to positive and lasting change.

5. It Has a Long-Term Focus

Ultimately, sustainable tourism has a much more long-term focus than other forms of tourism, which prioritize the needs of today at the expense of future generations and their requirements. A major advantage of sustainable travel is that it brings together businesses, tourists, and governments intending to adopt strategies that look out for the long-term future of the tourism industry, local communities, tourists, and the planet.

9 Examples of Sustainable Tourism

Now that you understand what sustainable tourism is, it is worth taking a closer look at nine specific examples of sustainable tourism in action within the real world.

1. Feynan Ecolodge – Jordan

Feynan Ecolodge is located in Dana Biosphere Nature Reserve, Jordan, and has a reputation as one of the best examples of sustainable tourism globally. The accommodation operates in partnership with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and is solar-powered, greatly reducing the overall carbon footprint. As a result, guests can stay in the lodge knowing that they are doing their part to protect the environment.

Video: Feynan Ecolodge

2. Sustainable Tourism in Bhutan

Bhutan in South Asia is one of the unique tourist destinations in the world, and the entire country operates a “high value, low impact” model, to maximize economic benefits while minimizing any negative impact. The country has strict entry requirements and charges a daily tariff to enforce this. Some of the money generated from this policy goes to conservation efforts and investment in the country’s infrastructure, culture, and public services.

3. Luxury Sustainable Safari Tours

Safari tours have the potential to be exploitative, but several tour operators are now operating more ethical and sustainable safari tours, which give back to the local area. One example is the tour company andBeyond, which offers luxury safari tours in Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, and various other locations. The company installs electrical microgrids to make energy consumption more sustainable while investing in local land, animals, and people.

4. Sustainable Hostel in South Africa

Mdumbi Backpackers is a hostel that is specifically aimed at those with an interest in sustainable tourism. Situated in South Africa, the accommodation serves as an ideal base for hiking, whale watching, and various other activities. However, crucially, the hostel has adopted several eco-friendly practices, including a more sustainable waste management system, the use of solar power, and an ownership model that allows local employees to own shares.

5. Sustainable Transport On the Water

Transportation is a major focus area for sustainable tourism, but water-based transport has arguably lagged behind other methods and often still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Fortunately, this is starting to change, and companies like Soel Yachts and Naval DC have created more sustainable water transport in the form of solar-powered electric vessels, which are carbon neutral. As this trend continues, water transport should become increasingly sustainable.

Video: Soel Yachts

6. Solar Driven Six Senses Resort in Fiji

The Six Senses Resort in Fiji is a five-star luxury resort that operates in accordance with sustainable tourism principles. For instance, the resort is entirely powered by solar energy, and it includes its own rain capture and water filtration facilities, helping to reduce the use of plastic bottles. Additionally, the Six Senses Resort promotes recycling and re-use of materials and supports several causes that help the local community.

Video: Six Senses Resort in Fiji

7. BomBom Water Project – Príncipe

Finally, the BomBom Water Project is operated by the Bom Bom resort on the island of Príncipe, off the west coast of Africa. The luxury resort introduced a recycling scheme, where refillable, stainless steel bottles would replace 50 used water bottles. The resort claims the project led to the removal of 300,000 used plastic water bottles from the island, and the resort also contributed to several water purification fountains.

8. Atlantis Submarines – Hawaii

Atlantis Submarines is a passenger submarine company providing dive tours in Hawaii. The company has locations on three different Hawaiian islands and allows those interested in ecotourism to participate in an experience that meets sustainable tourism principles. For example, the submarines used by Atlantis Submarines are battery-powered, meaning they do not release greenhouse gases or cause pollution within the water. This battery-powered approach also makes them significantly quieter than other submarines, which is great for protecting the natural ecosystem within Hawaii’s waters.

9. Self-Sustainable ‘Azurmendi’ Restaurant – Spain

Azurmendi is a restaurant in Bilbao, Spain, which has been awarded three Michelin stars, highlighting the overall quality of its food. However, what makes this restaurant truly special is its approach to sustainability, which ensures that visitors to the region can enjoy the food while engaging in sustainable tourism practices. Examples of the steps to promote sustainability include using geothermal and solar energy to power the restaurant and using the restaurant’s own vegetable garden to grow vegetables for use in the restaurant’s menu. Furthermore, much of the organic waste from the restaurant is turned into compost, which local farmers use.

Video: Azurmendi

Key Trends in the Tourism Industry

Sustainable tourism is one of the main trends in the industry today, but there are several other trends that you need to be aware of too. From the renewed focus on local customers to the rise of voice search, keeping up with the latest trends can help those in the tourism industry gain a competitive edge and satisfy customers.

To explore these trends and many more in greater depth and to find out what has influenced each of them, check out the “Tourism Trends: The Latest Opportunities for The Tourism Industry” article.

Slow Travel as a Form of Sustainable Tourism

One of the emerging sustainable tourism trends is slow travel, which is an approach to tourism based on sustainability, an appreciation of the culture and characteristics of the local area, and the enjoyment of fulfilling travel experiences. It contrasts with mass travel, packed itineraries, and a rush to visit as many attractions as possible.

You can learn more about slow tourism and its definition, read about examples of slow tourism, and understand its relationship with sustainable travel by reading “Slow Tourism: What It Is, Its Importance, and Examples”.

Understanding Destination Marketing

The concept of sustainable tourism can easily tie in with the idea of destination marketing too. Essentially, this is where marketers for hotels and other travel companies aim to attract tourists to a particular location by promoting the local attractions, features, and activities to make it a more appealing proposition.

You can explore the topic of destination marketing further and understand how it can relate to sustainable tourism by reading the “Destination Marketing Strategies to Attract More Visitors” article.

Tourism Management: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding sustainable travel and its benefits for travelers and the industry is especially important for travel management professionals. This includes general managers, sales managers, marketing managers, hotel managers, guest relations managers, and many other roles.

To dive deeper into tourism management, including definitions, a list of available management roles, and the qualifications needed, read the “Tourism Management: All You Need to Know About Tourism” post.

Find Courses in Sustainable Tourism

One of the best ways to learn more about sustainable travel and gain relevant qualifications that can help you land a role in this industry sector is to look into the various available courses. Depending on your preferences, this may include distance learning courses or courses that require physical attendance.

To explore the topic of tourism courses in full and access links to some of the best websites for finding a course to enroll in, read the “Tourism Course: A Complete Overview of Courses & Tourism Educators” article.

Find Jobs in Sustainable Tourism

In the end, sustainable tourism is concerned with making the tourism industry more sustainable to have a bright future and continue providing jobs. One of the reasons the industry is so valuable is that it offers roles within hospitality, airlines, the cruise industry, travel agencies, and more.

You can find out more about the tourism jobs available and identify the best job boards to help you search for a vacancy by checking out the “Tourism Jobs: The Best Tourism Industry Job Boards for Your Career” post.

Understanding the Value of Sustainable Tourism

For sustainable tourism to be possible, businesses and other key stakeholders involved in the local tourism trade must consciously build, maintain, and manage a sustainable industry. This process is referred to as sustainable tourism development, and it is a shared responsibility with a view to minimizing harm or negative consequences.

Read the “Benefits of Sustainable Tourism Development” post to explore the topic of sustainable travel further, learn about the value of sustainable tourism development, and read about some of the main advantages.

Sustainable Tourism FAQs

Sustainable tourism means that a traveler seeks to leave his destination better than he found it. It’s not just a vacation. It’s a chance to give back to the area you’re enjoying. Sustainable travel helps the ecosystems, economy, and culture of the destination.

The main goal is to preserve the local environment while also enriching all of the people involved in the trip – from locals to the companies making the trips possible.

Sustainable tourism requires tourists to respect and enrich the environment and cultures of their destination. This can be done through the three pillars of economic development, environmental integrity, and social justice.

Tourism that preserves or enriches the destination is always the most sustainable. Some forms of tourism which emphasize this practice include ecotourism and community-based tourism. They both minimize environmental impact while also helping the local cultures.

Preserving the long-term viability of tourism, which doesn’t harm any local resources, is a key principle of sustainable tourism. Tourists should be able to have a meaningful experience while ensuring that locals and other tourists can enjoy the same in the future.

Sustainable tourism is the term used to describe tourism that is intended to minimize the negative impact on the environment and local communities while making the industry itself more viable in the longer term. Responsibility for this lies with tourists, tourism companies, and local governments.

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This article is written by:

Martijn Barten

Hi, I am Martijn Barten, founder of Revfine.com. With 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, I specialize in optimizing revenue by combining revenue management with marketing strategies. I have successfully developed, implemented, and managed revenue management and marketing strategies for individual properties and multi-property portfolios.