What is “Responsible Travel?”
What is “Responsible Travel?”
You can enjoy adventure, nature and/or culture, and be socially and ecologically conscious. Responsible travel is about having fun, while also giving back. It is ethical travel that strives to reduce negative impacts of our journey while creating long term benefits to the environment, local people, and their communities.
“Eco-Green-Sustainable-Responsible Travel.” Really? Just How “Green” is Green?
By Peggy Lichter President, Wiser World Travel
The last time I checked, I could place my company on an online eco-directory for 0, no proof necessary as to my sustainable practices (other than professing my “green-ness.”) As a tour operator, I can convey my environmental concern by asking travelers to offset their carbon emissions ? at their expense. How do we determine if our journeys support local communities? Are we staying in locally owned accommodations, eating in local restaurants, being educated by local guides, better insuring financial benefits to host communities? How do we know if negative impacts of travel are being minimized, that long term benefits to local people and communities will outweigh possible short term costs?
Are we being “greenwashed”? Just what is that, anyway? EnviroMedia Social Marketing says greenwashing is “when a company or organization spends more time and money claiming to be ‘green’ through advertising and marketing than actually implementing business practices that minimize environmental impact. It’s whitewashing, but with a green brush.”
Eco Practices?
I recently attended a conference in a U.S. city. The hotel that hosted the event belongs to a major chain, which touts its commitment to sustainable practices. They have been recognized twice as the Energy Star Partner of the Year for Excellence in Energy Management. Yet conference attendees were wearing extra layers of clothing to keep warm in the conference rooms due to the air conditioning setting; just think what energy could be conserved if the temperature was set even two degrees warmer.
