This year we celebrate the 41st World Tourism Day. 

Tourism is important for local economies and worldwide education. It’s how we break down barriers, open our hearts and minds, and experience this planet we call home. 

But tourism also comes with great responsibility. 

According to Sustainable Travel International, “Over the past two decades, the number of international tourist arrivals more than doubled, surpassing 1.4 billion in 2019. While this tourism boom promoted economic growth and personal fulfillment, it often came at the expense of the environment and local communities. As tourism surged, it came hand in hand with gentrification, crowded streets, pollution, and habitat loss.” 

Over-tourism and its environmental impacts are a reality, but there are actions we can take to fight it, better ways to travel and be a tourist. As the world begins traveling again on a global scale and humanity contemplates the state of the environment and climate, we want to mark this World Tourism Day by looking at ways we can each be a good tourist and eco-friendly traveler on this beautiful planet. 

Focus on your “why”

Travel is more than ticking off boxes, saying “I’ve been there,” and posing for selfies. If you want to travel, search for the deeper reason in your heart. It will make your journey all the more meaningful. If there is a place you’ve always wanted to visit, don’t just arrive, snap a pic and move on. Go there and really experience it… Settle in for a while, get to know the area, live like a local. 

If you want to experience the world you have to slow down and take the time to do so. While two days at a destination may get the top sights checked off your list, two weeks will be an immersive life-changing experience. You’ll find favorite cafes, get to know neighborhoods and locals, have time to actually relax, and help the planet in the process! 

Determined to travel but not sure what your “why” is? Think about what you love doing at home and imagine how you might do that abroad. If it’s getting out in nature, skip cities and focus on outdoor destinations. If it's museums and cafes, research and select the ones that speak most to you. Whatever your interest, don’t do anything or go anywhere just because everyone else is. My brother once texted me from Rome to say he wanted to skip the Vatican in favor of relaxing at a cafe for the afternoon. “Is that crazy?” he asked. No way! Yes, we travel to broaden our minds, but there’s no need to be another tourist in an already crowded spot. Give the planet, each other, and yourself space to breathe.

Choose your form of travel wisely 

How will you get to your destination? It really depends on where you go and with whom, but at the very least, give it some thought. According to organizations like the International Council on Clean Transportation, driving (with a group), buses and trains are always a better option for the planet than air travel. Cruises are great too, especially if you don’t have to fly to your embarkation port. And cruising is expected to get even more green in the coming decade with the appearance of ships powered by liquefied natural gas. Finally, if you must fly, book a nonstop flight and pack lightly to help decrease carbon emissions.

Once at your destination, consider how you’ll get around. Walking will always be best for the planet, good for you, and guarantee discoveries. Public transportation is a great way to experience a place like a local and feel better about your carbon footprint. If you want to travel farther afield, ask yourself if there’s a way to do it without a car or bus. With some creativity you might have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, like cycling through Vietnam, backpacking through New Zealand, or walking across England.

Finally, where you stay is just as important as how you get there. We’ll talk shortly about bringing good habits with you, but if you’re opting for a hotel over an Airbnb, choose one that’s as committed to sustainability as you are. Do your research and make sure it adheres to the criteria laid out by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. 

Be respectful & mindful

This goes for everything you encounter on your travels: the people, the wildlife, the environment, each space, and every moment. Traveling is a gift, not to be taken for granted, and when we travel we honor that gift by being respectful in all our interactions. 

It can be as simple as learning a few words of the local language and some of the history to demonstrate your interest in the people and culture, sticking to designated paths when enjoying national and state parks so as to preserve nature, slowing down enough to really absorb your surroundings, and recognizing that your vacation spot is someone else’s home. 

Part of being respectful is also bringing good habits with you. When we go on vacation we don’t go on vacation from our good habits. If at home you avoid one-use plastics, don’t accept straws, bring a bag for purchases and a refillable water bottle everywhere you go, do that on your travels too! In doing so we help communities and environments around the world. At hotels, don’t request clean towels every day or run the shower excessively. Turn off appliances, TVs, and air conditioners when you head out for the day’s adventures. Treat your home away from home like you would your real home. 

Support true conservation efforts

There’s a lot of “greenwashing” out there: people, places, and organizations saying they do conservation and sustainability, but really just using these buzzwords to attract customers. This puts the responsibility on us to do our research. If you’re seeking out eco-friendly travel experiences, reward destinations, and organizations that truly support conservation. Scrutinize websites, check reviews, look at their social media pages.

If you’ve never thought about it, that’s okay. You can still make a difference. Don't support businesses or organizations that use animals as entertainment. For example, don’t swim with dolphins or take selfies with tiger cubs. This is exploitation and often the animals are not cared for once they’re no longer useful. Even if the animals you are seeing are not endangered species, imagine briefly what it would be like to live in a cage or small pool for the entirety of your life. We go to see animals and nature because we love them, so don’t find yourself manipulated into inadvertently supporting cruelty.

If you want to experience wild animals, experience them in the wonder of their natural habitats. Consider going on a safari or participating in a service-oriented trip where you help the environment and animal habitats, like with the Sierra Club’s service/volunteer vacations. You may even find one nearby, reducing your carbon footprint.

Get off the beaten path & shop local

A great way to fight over-tourism and experience the world is to literally get off the beaten path, worn down by countless tourists before you. Taking this tactic means the fun of researching, planning, and essentially choosing your own adventure rather than having it chosen for you by “top 10” lists or influencers. It also means spreading the economic and social benefits of tourism across larger communities and into rural areas. 

This concept also goes for when you’re staying local, another great way to minimize your impact on the environment. If you want to “getaway,” you don’t have to go far to unplug. Sometimes we forget to see our home the way visitors do. We drive the same streets every day, shop at the same places, and go to the same recreational spots. All it takes is a visit to a new local shop, spending the weekend one town over, or camping at your local regional park. 

Finally, being a good tourist is getting to know the area you choose and investing your money in it. Always try to consume local produce, stay in local B&Bs or guesthouses, search out locally-owned restaurants and artists. And of course, hire local photographers to capture all your memories!

We hope you are feeling inspired to get out there and be the best tourist possible. To learn more about World Tourism Day, visit the World Tourism Organization. And for more information and ideas on ethical and sustainable travel check out this amazing podcast by The World Nomads. Also read Sustainable Travel Internationals’ article Top 10 Tips for Sustainable Travel for more great ideas!

We here at Shoot My Travel envision a world with more sustainable and conscious travel where our local photographers in 450+ locations around the world give you amazing photos to treasure and unique experiences of their home. Celebrate World Tourism Day by planning your next sustainable trip. Buy one of our Flex Packages to have a photoshoot ready when you are, or use the code GREATPHOTOS to get $30 off gift cards and photoshoots today!