Tourism is one of the biggest polluters of this planet, which is why sustainable travel is even more important these days.
Does it exist sustainable travel!? Of course, enormous changes are also taking place in the field of tourism, all in the desire to have as little impact on the environment as possible.
Almost every sector of tourism, including cruise lines, luxury resorts and airlines, is turning to innovative solutions that reduce their carbon footprint and put the environment first.
Sustainable travel: Resorts support fragile ocean ecosystems
Luxury resorts around the world that offer travelers the opportunity to connect with nature are strengthening the protection of their local habitats. They are aware that it is precisely these that attract travelers to their regions. The greatest responsibility rests with the resorts right next to the oceans, which, in cooperation with the local population, have committed themselves to the creation of marine reserves near their properties.
Misool Resort in Raja Ampat, Indonesia is one such. In the waters there, they created a protected marine area that now stretches over 300,000 hectares and revived one of the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth. Manta Resort on Tanzania's Pemba Island has created its own marine protected areas that have seen a remarkable return of biodiversity. These are not only for the benefit of tourists, who can admire the colorful fish, but are also home to many fish species, on which the livelihood of local fishermen depends.
Sustainable Travel: Aviation Fuels Are Going "Green"
A handful of international airlines are working to reduce the carbon emissions of their flights and, as a result, fly more sustainably. Turkish Airlines recently took a big step with its new carbon negative jet fuel. The airline is developing a synthetic biokerosene fuel derived from microalgae plants that addresses environmental concerns surrounding biofuels from crops.
But that's not all. The facility where biofuel production will take place will use special carbon capture technology, which will draw carbon from the atmosphere and permanently store it underground.
Sustainable travel: Cruises are setting a new standard
Hurtigruten Group, based in Norway, has an important mission - to become a world leader in the field of sustainable cruises. Hurtigruten Expeditions, the brand's adventure line, has already achieved this in several ways. In 2019, it presented the world's battery-hybrid cruise ship - MS Roald Amundsen.
The capabilities of the ship's electric drive combined with the innovative hull design reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent. In 2023, the company embarked on a green upgrade worth 100 million euros, and with this they want to sustainably change three more of their expedition ships: MS Richard With, MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys.
Sustainable Travel: Commitments by Tourists to Protect Places
Visitor education programs are in trend, with which individual communities want to spread awareness of the importance of preserving individual ecosystems and the environment. Hawaii is urging tourists to make a commitment to protecting the islands on their trip, while also encouraging them to join local volunteer opportunities.
The San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington state have a Love it Like a Local pledge, in which tourists pledge to responsibly explore the islands by taking small but significant actions such as not feeding wildlife and conserving water when possible.
