LEADERS IN SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL: WHY ITS VITAL NOW MORE THAN EVER
An increased development towards sustainable tourism continues to gain momentum. As a new generation of leaders in travel are making sustainable tourism awareness a top priority. Now, the good news for travelers who are seeking to give back but don’t know how. There are numerous travel companies that are making sustainable tourism a part of the daily business model.
Why is sustainable travel more important now that ever? And what exactly is sustainable travel? Let’s find out directly from the trail blazers in sustainable travel today.
Take Impact Travel Immersion, a global travel conference organized by the nonprofit and global community Impact Travel Alliance. Where over 30 speakers ranging from National Geographic to W Hotels are expected to speak and give sessions to entrepreneurs towards sustainable tourism. Several of the courses include Sustainable Tourism for the Masses: Converting the Mainstream to Urban Sustainability & Reshaping the Narrative of Sustainable Tourism.
One of the speakers, Eytan Elterman, Co-Founder for the booking platform Lokal Travel, shares that the tourism industry is at a tipping point. “It’s the biggest industry in the world and as travelers we have the power to do great good or great harm in how we decide to vacation.”
And the conversation continues with Kelley Louise, Founder of Impact Travel Alliance. Louise shares that it only takes a quick scroll through Facebook to become discouraged about the news that seems to be constantly piling up around us.
“But sustainable tourism – travel that has a positive impact on the environment, culture and economy of a destination – has the potential to improve our world through something that’s universally appealing.”
“Sustainable tourism is more important now than ever because we finally have an increased amount of access to better, more impactful, immersive and all around epic travel experiences,” shares Louise. “Travelers care about the experiences they’re booking, finding the best opportunities and booking the most unique (and authentic) ways to explore a destination – and the industry is responding. By continuing to vote with our dollars, we can build upon this movement
– and change the world through travel,” says Louise.
The hotel industry keeps taking notice. For example, take the Terranea Resort. Not only does the resort have their own sea salt conservatory and a Chef’s garden. But they incorporated sustainability roles in the staff. Meet Lauren Bergloff, the Sustainability Leader & Naturalist for Terranea Resort who shares “The only thing better than voting for what you believe in, is to buy what you believe in. When you purchase a sustainable product, or choose to stay at a hotel that has the same morals as you, you are casting your vote in the future! The more people choose sustainable tourism, the more tourism will need to sway in that direction. Choose to travel sustainably and see what the future holds.”
The Terranea Resort also works with Kind Traveler, a socially conscious ‘Give + Get Hotel Booking Platform that donates to the non-profit hospital Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles. As a Kindness Ambassador, I got to experience first-hand what it feels like to be a sustainable traveler. And it feels really good.