Learning about sustainable tourism

There is no shortage of articles in the mainstream and social media, as well as in academic journals, discussing climate change and how it will impact many destinations globally. Many of the affected destinations are heavily reliant on tourists to support the operations and livelihoods of accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators and many other businesses within the broad visitor economy. Tourist destinations have, over the last decade, had to reassess their future to ensure they are sustainable and even regenerative in the future.

Many destinations and businesses have been long-time believers in the value of sustainability and the way it can impact people’s way of life and attitudes. They have implemented sustainability tourism and travel initiatives that benefit local inhabitants, the tourists who visit, and most importantly the environment. The best way to learn about these sustainability initiatives is to look at real-life examples, often in the form of case studies, and to critically evaluate these to implement and improve on these in other destinations.

Quality over Quantity at Lech Zurs, Austria

Globally, there are numerous examples of what destinations and hotels can do to be sustainable, especially when it comes to environmental and socio-cultural sustainability. In the case of Lech, a ski resort in the Austrian Alps, the belief  "less is more" and “quality before quantity” has permeated thinking, planning, and implementation of these initiatives. Limiting the number of beds to 10000, placing a cap on day visitors in winter, and promoting quality tourism have resulted in being able to conserve resources, maintain the natural landscape, and promote agriculture as a way of diversifying the economy and financial benefits.

In Lech, local suppliers and producers not only support local agriculture and provide enticing meals for visitors, but they also fulfill the cultural and traditional aspects of any sustainable tourism principles. Beyond providing products for delicious meals, farmers can also showcase their products through an annual trade fair, focusing on products as well as on the exchange of cultural and culinary traditions.

Eco-friendly and history-rich tours at Phillip Island, Victoria Australia

Phillip Island in Victoria, Australia, is best known for its nightly attraction of cute fairy penguins leaving their sea journey and finding their nightly nests. Less known is that the island has embarked on a program of major sustainability initiatives, covering local community initiatives such as becoming 100% renewable and offering Phillip Island Nature Park ecotourism-certified tours and guides. A new program focusing on First Nations people and their culture fosters an understanding and respect for traditional culture, heritage and way of life. Increasingly, international tourists seek out experiences highlighting Australia’s rich and ancient history as well as beautiful, well-cared-for-environment and wildlife.

Slow and culturally vibrant experiences across Vietnam

Responsible travel where the traveller feels good about their travel choices and ultimately about themselves has been developed in conjunction with travel operators in Vietnam. Visitors not only enjoy the beauty of Vietnam but learn about how to travel slowly and responsibly, find out about cultural traditions of locals and give back to the community through visiting and participating in projects which directly benefit the community. These projects include hospitality training, handicraft workshops and garden-to-table experiences in resorts such as the Tam Coc Garden Resort. Employment and training of locals ensures social, cultural and economic sustainability.

Sustainability in travel and hospitality has become more than just a word. Initiatives in energy resourcing, building, and planning guidelines, looking after guests, and encouraging local industries, traditions and culture provide visitors with experiences that touch the heart and make visitors feel good about being part of the environment and community. As custodians of our planet and through working with the tourism industry, we need to develop and support sustainability initiatives wherever we can. Learning from examples, case studies and courses and then using these to develop and implement further initiatives, we can ensure that we leave our world and our tourist destinations and tourism industry in as best form we can.

Interested in becoming a sustainability leader in the tourism and hospitality industry? 

A Torrens University Bachelor of Business (Hospitality and Tourism Management) will give you pivotal business and management skills, industry knowledge and practical experience needed to become an effective leader within sustainable tourism and preserve our natural attractions for generations to experience.