Sustainable tourism: the best actions for tourists to protect the environment

Sustainable tourism: travel in an ecological way

At a time when the suffix "eco" is in fashion everywhere, it is good to recall and ask some fundamental points to allow tourists to travel in a truly sustainable way.  

This is ecotourism, a responsible and sustainable way to travel and to take care of the environment and the citizens of the visited city.  

Visiting a place does not only mean admiring its beauty, but also respecting it, conserving it and not polluting it, also contributing to the economic growth and well-being of the local population.  

Sustainability therefore relies on the respect of the values of the tourists themselves, but at the same time also on the contribution of the citizens to keep their city clean and accessible to all. 

A concept very far from the tourism that is practiced thinking only about its own well-being and needs, often neglecting the environment and the people around it, causing rapid local degradation, changes in spaces and an ugly aesthetic image in the eyes of all.

Here are some important actions a tourist should consider in order to make a sustainable trip to protect the environment!

Prefer sustainable transport: public, ecological and zero emission, such as bicycles, ecological buses and the metro or streetcar

The use of public transport is essential to reduce air pollution, especially in large cities, where millions of people travel every day, including tourists.

Traveling by bicycle is undoubtedly an ecological option, as well as choosing the ecological buses that distinguish public transport, making them without impact on environmental pollution.

Cycling routes have become a must for responsible tourism, as the use of non-motorized transport is essential to reduce CO2 emissions.

On the other hand, if it is not possible to choose these means listed above, in a city like Marseille as in many other metropolises, it is possible to move with the metro and the streetcars that run through all the streets of the city and give the possibility to tourists to move comfortably, durably and without getting tired!

Preserve the environment and do not pollute: respect and care for the animal and natural world 

Lovers of nature and the most remote ecosystems on the planet know that the first rule of love is respect, even when it comes to the environment.  

To travel means to relate to the world, and to do it in a sustainable way, so that it welcomes us for a long time ends and can preserve all its beauty, it is good for every tourist and citizen to act with actions that do not affect negatively on the natural and animal world. 

When you go to the mountains, in natural parks but also trivially in an urban park, it is better not to smoke, not to leave the marked paths and, where it is possible to immerse in water, not to pollute it.

Very often, when we travel, we don't give too much importance to pollution, because being in a place "not ours", far from home, we think we can do what we want;  

Such behavior, however, risks destroying many sites of cultural and environmental interest, in terms of sheer pollution.

Therefore, respect for the cities but also for the native animals, the endemic plants and the customs of the region is a priority for all;  

to adopt a virtuous behavior towards nature, respecting also the living beings that inhabit the place that welcomes us, without hindering the life of the local population and fauna, through models of behavior that we have the duty to teach to all, even the smallest.

Support the local economy: focus on products and activities locales

Understanding tourism as an act of solidarity and interest towards those who live in a given place is one of the pillars of sustainable tourism.  

If you travel to globalized places, which therefore offer a wide range of shops and products even outside the place, it is good to choose zero mileage products, so local and homemade products, not to mention the often sponsored product or we are now used to use.  

To travel is also to come into contact with the tradition of others, from food, to customs, to structures and ways of life, thus acquiring a broader conception of society and integrating in an appropriate way.  

A good habit for a responsible and sustainable tourist is to stay in eco-responsible accommodations that hire local staff and are attentive to environmental protection.

Another important thing, for example, buying local handicrafts is a way to help the local economy and limit environmental pollution.

Moreover, tasting the local gastronomy is actually one of the tips of sustainable tourism, as it contributes to the use of zero-mile products, which implies less use of transportation and unnecessary packaging.

Don't waste water and food

Water is the most precious commodity on the planet, so reducing its consumption is a moral obligation, especially during the less rainy seasons.  

Often, when we brush our teeth or wait to take a shower, we let the water run for a long time, without realizing that we are actually wasting it: to reverse this tendency, a single but continuous precaution is necessary: turn off the water when it is not needed, so as not to waste it unnecessarily and to ensure its long-term conservation.

Another important factor to avoid is food waste, which is mainly due to the rejection by vendors and consumers of products that do not meet an ideal standard.

Moreover, food loss and waste cause not only moral and economic damage, but also environmental damage.  

Indeed, food waste produces a lot of CO2 every year, and this is a serious damage for the whole world.

It is a good idea for tourists, as well as citizens in every city, to buy products with low environmental impact and only foods that are safe to eat or freeze leftovers and give them to friends and relatives or use the leftover food for lunch or dinner.

Avoid the use of plastic 

To save our planet, it is now urgent to change our behavior in all areas of life, including travel!  

A plastic-free approach is what distinguishes a sustainable tourist from a mass tourist, who does not pay attention to the products he uses and does not pay attention to the possible inconvenience he may cause to the environment.

A lot of single-use plastic simply doesn't make sense to exist, refuse it: when a plastic package, bag or straw is offered to the tourist, it is good to avoid taking it in order to avoid the pollution produced to make and dispose of it.

If this is not possible, remember not to throw the product in the trash right away, but take it with you and reuse it as many times as possible!

Without a doubt the most used tool when it comes to reducing the production and purchase of plastic is the water bottle, which fortunately has become a habit of many tourists and citizens, who prefer to fill their ecological bottle rather than constantly buy plastic bottles that they immediately throw in the trash.

The containers are great for avoiding the plastic packaging typical of street food and take-out.  

There is no need to make large purchases, just a common kitchen container that you have at home to avoid environmental pollution.

According to theOrganisation Mondiale du TourismeToday, sustainable tourism is growing exponentially and more and more people are choosing to travel to protect the environment and respect the customs and traditions of the place.

Sustainable tourism is always a challenge, but it is the only way to save the planet and improve economic and social prospects.

So travel responsibly and, in addition to doing good for yourself and others, do good for the environment!

Visit our website https://planetazur.com/sports-en-nature/ where you will find many activities proposed, close to nature, with sustainable transport and so that we take care of the environment and what surrounds us.

Have a responsible trip!