Methods, technologies, good practices, case studies used in the implementation

In this section we share useful methods and techniques related to sustainable staying and travelling. The aim is to raise tourists’ awareness, but as mentioned earlier, it also provides useful information for tourism professionals and service providers to improve their services. More detailed information can now of course be found in the “Sustainable tourism offers” module.

There are many tips on the internet for tourists on how to travel and holiday in a sustainable way. In this module, we will look in detail at the aspects that may be important for these tourists. The information gathered will help to develop a sustainable tourism offer that can help to reach environmentally sensitive tourists.

Green or greenwashing?

It is important to stress that, when travelling, it is necessary to pay close attention to whether the service provider is a truly sustainable green tourism service provider or whether it is just greenwashing.

Greenwashing is about using marketing strategies in an effort to deceive customers into believing that a tourism service provider’s offer is genuinely eco-friendly when they really aren’t.

As the green movement gradually began to enter the mainstream, countless companies proved willing to greenwash if it brought them enough profit. Adjectives such as “all natural,” “organic,” and “post-consumer recycled content” were rendered meaningless, as claims were rarely substantiated or verified by impartial third parties.

The travel industry was no different. Tour operators who promoted themselves as being eco-friendly still offered irresponsible activities such as walking with lions tours, elephant rides, and visits to Thailand’s Tiger Temple. So how are tourists to know whether a company is truly green or just greenwashing?

• Truly responsible travel businesses will put the needs of the local people and environment before the needs of travelers, always striving to make a positive impact.
• If there is a voluntourism element involved, truly responsible travel businesses will work directly with local NGOs to ensure the program meets the needs of the community and are not just “feel good” experiences for tourists. Again, the primary goal should be long-term positive impact.
• Truly responsible travel businesses may be affiliated with international organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, the Nature Conservancy, Rainforest Alliance, etc. They may also have certification from organizations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council or the Centre for Responsible Travel, which prove that they have met certain recognised standards for sustainability.
• Truly responsible travel businesses pride themselves on openness and transparency. Most will have details on their sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives clearly placed on their website. And any “green” company should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about these initiatives.

Sustainable destination selection (off-peak or off-beat)

In recent years, the global phenomenon of over tourism has begun straining infrastructure and ecosystems, and pricing locals out of communities. Prior to the pandemic, many destinations were literally being loved to death as they became victims of their own popularity. Historic cities, beaches, and other tourist hotspots were being overrun by hordes of visitors, a phenomenon that is now known as “over tourism”. For a time it appeared that this trend wasn’t slowing down, but then the pandemic hit and holiday hotspots suddenly went from over tourism to no tourism.

As travel rebounds, many people are rethinking how they explore. Taking the road less travelled and visiting under-the-radar spots to avoid crowds is one way to be responsible. As a tourist, you can help prevent a resurgence of over tourism by skipping tourist traps and getting off the beaten path. While it may be tempting to go to the same bucket list destinations that everyone is Instagramming, it can be even more rewarding to explore less traversed places. The reality is that many tourist hotspots don’t live up to their expectations – you may have to spend hours standing in line, only to discover that the destination doesn’t look the same in person as it did online.

Sustainability-minded tourists don’t want to pitch their tents in the middle of nowhere, but they do look beyond the “Top 10” destinations and attractions lists. Instead of staying in the major tourist centres, they prefer to visit smaller towns or visit a rural area. This can reduce the burden of over visited destinations, while bringing the benefits of tourism to other local communities. However, if they cannot resist the lure of large tourist areas, they tend to time their trips outside the peak season.

Choosing accommodation in a sustainable way

The aforementioned greenwashing should also be an important consideration when choosing hotels. The conscious tourist will check whether the hotel they have chosen is certified by a recognised organisation. However, in many cases small local hotels cannot afford the certification fees or are not aware of these schemes at all. In such cases, it is worth taking real sustainability steps and making them visible to interested parties. For example, a hotel recycling scheme could be an incentive for tourists.

Demonstrate if the hotel has some kind of sustainability initiative, such as solar energy, wind turbine, rainwater harvesting, energy efficient lighting and low-flow toilets.

It is worth making information available on the following:

• They mostly employ local staff.
• Most food is sourced locally or even grown on the premises.
• Locally sourced materials are used in the decoration.

Businesses that use local resources are generally more sustainable because they invest in the local economy. These can be important considerations when choosing a place to stay.

Tips for saving water and energy

Beyond transportation, tourism also relies on energy for heating, lighting, and electricity. This along with intensive water use by tourists can put great strain on local water supplies and energy infrastructure. Tourists often consume significantly more water and energy than local residents and many destinations struggle to keep up with the demand. As a tourism service provider, do your utmost to conserve local water and energy resources.

• After cleaning rooms in the hot summer months, closing curtains and blinds can help keep the sun’s heat out.
• Make it possible for tursies to cancel daily room cleaning by putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door. This can reduce the amount of electricity used for chemical cleaning products, vacuuming and washing bed linen.
• Where possible, allow the use of bicycles or reduced public transport.
• Allow maps, brochures and other tourist information to be returned to tourists so that future tourists can reuse them.
• Encourage guests to take away any leftover soap, shampoo or toothpaste, as unused portions are often thrown away.
• In bathrooms, make it possible to take a shower next to or instead of a bathtub. Taking a shower uses only 40-80 litres of water, while bathing uses up to 200-260 litres.
• Put up information boards in bathrooms to draw attention to shorter showers and to turn off the water while soaping, shaving and/or brushing teeth.
• Used towels that are hung up do not need to be washed, only those that have been placed on the floor. Draw attention to this with signs in the bathroom.

Help tourists with hiking tips

National parks, marine sanctuaries, and other protected areas play an important role in protecting our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity. Many countries rely on tourism fees such as entrance fees, operator permits, to preserve these special places and animals. Every year, more than 8 billion people visit the world’s protected areas, generating about $850 billion in spending. These dollars help fund the conservation activities necessary to protect these areas while also providing income to local communities.

If there is a protected area near you, encourage tourists to visit it, especially if they have to pay entrance fees to national parks and protected natural areas, as this helps to preserve fragile environments and native wildlife.

Make tourists aware of the following, either on your website or at the place where you provide the service:

• The marked hiking trails are there for a reason. Stay on the trail so as not to damage the native flora and avoid creepers hiding in the undergrowth.
• Take a small bag with them and pick up any litter you find on your hike. Have a friendly competition to see who can clear up the most unsightly litter!
• Never feed or touch wildlife for any reason. Feeding animals habituates them to humans and makes them dependent on humans, often leading to attacks. If bitten, the animal is likely to die.
• Before hiking, be aware of the weather and terrain conditions. Avoid having to organise a rescue mission for anyone, which eats up public money.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife. Everyone wants to post cool selfies with wildlife on social media, but this can incite animals to attack.

Strengthening local communities

  The best way to help host communities reap the benefits of tourism is to support local businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Employ local guides who know the best places to visit and can tell you interesting facts about the wildlife they see.
• Establish cooperation agreements with local restaurants and taste traditional dishes made with local ingredients with tourists.
• Attract tourists to local markets to buy spices grown by local farmers or jewellery made by local craftsmen. Products transported by plane or boat have a much higher carbon footprint. Buying directly from an artisan not only helps to feed your family, but in many cases helps to preserve your culture. There are amazing stories to be told when you talk to these artisans.
• Give tourists a glimpse into other traditions, beliefs and ways of life. Make people aware that certain gestures, clothing or words are considered offensive in some destinations. Especially when visiting religious or spiritual places. Only suggest places where tourists are welcome and ask them to respect any protocols. In some places this may mean taking off shoes, covering shoulders, speaking quietly or not taking photographs.
• Point out that the place you are visiting is someone else’s home. Ask tourists to obey local laws and guidelines, from traffic rules to health and safety precautions. Do your best to leave places as you found them, so that they can be enjoyed by future generations of tourists and residents.

Slowing down to enjoy the experience

It can be easy to try to cram as much as possible into one trip.  Although a busy itinerary may seem ideal on paper, much of the holiday is likely to be spent rushing from one place to another. While there is plenty to see in a given time, this fast-paced ‘hit and run’ style of tourism is a sure recipe for stress.

Help tourists and give them the opportunity to explore the destination in more detail. Instead of shorter travel periods, offer longer holidays. provide programmes locally or in the micro-region that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the culture, build deeper relationships with local people.

Such programmes could include cooking classes organised in local cooperation, where tourists can taste local flavours and learn how to prepare traditional dishes. It could be organised as a day of exploring the city on foot or by bike, showing hidden treasures such as a quaint local café.

For the tourist, being able to spend more time at a destination makes for a more authentic, memorable, and meaningful travel experience. At the same time, it reduces pressure on the towns and communities visited, while bringing greater benefits to local businesses. As an added bonus, slow travel is also better for the environment by reducing carbon emissions from flying or driving between destinations.

Case study and/or brainstorming session

(source: https://medium.com/@vijaykumar.malavika, author: Malavika Kumar)

Below are two good practices of how some tourism service providers have adapted their service packages to satisfy tourists looking for a sustainable stay. One is a large tourism operator in a frequent location, the other is a small one in a remote location.

Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda

The rise of sustainable tourism has led to a shift in how travelers approach their vacations, as well as how hotels and other accommodations operate. The Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda is a luxury resort that is committed to sustainability and promoting eco-friendly practices. The resort is situated in the beautiful natural setting of Lake Garda and features 93 rooms, four restaurants, a spa, and a variety of other amenities. The resort was designed to be sustainable from the ground up, with features such as geothermal heating and cooling, energy-efficient lighting, and a wastewater treatment plant.

The Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda have implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable tourism. The resort sources its food locally and emphasizes seasonal, organic produce in its menus. The resort also uses a comprehensive waste management system that recycles and composts waste and encourages guests to minimize their environmental impact by offering recycling bins in guest rooms and providing information on eco-friendly activities in the local area.

The resort’s spa offers a variety of treatments and activities that promote well-being and environmental sustainability. The spa offers treatments that use local, natural ingredients, and features a “green area” with a bio-sauna, steam bath and saltwater pool that uses sustainable materials and energy-efficient technology. The resort also offers eco-friendly activities such as hiking and cycling tours that showcase the local area’s natural beauty and promote sustainable transportation.

The Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda is also committed to supporting the local community through its social responsibility program. The resort partners with local organisations to support education, health, environmental initiatives in the surrounding villages and employs a majority of its staff from the local area.

Overall, the Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda’s commitment to sustainable tourism has earned it recognition as one of the most sustainable resorts in Italy. By implementing sustainable practices and promoting eco-friendly activities, the resort is able to offer a luxurious and relaxing stay for guests while also contributing to the local community and reducing its environmental impact.

Source: www. lagodigarda.lefayresorts.com

Can Marti Agroturisme

One example of sustainable tourism in a small tourism service provider in an off-beat destination in Europe is the Can Marti Agroturisme, located in the small village of Sant Mateu de Bages, Catalonia, Spain.

Can Marti Agroturisme is a family-run agrotourism accommodation that offers a unique and sustainable stay experience for guests. The agrotourism is situated on a working farm that produces organic olives, almonds, and wine, and features four rooms, a swimming pool, and a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling.

Can Marti Agroturisme is committed to sustainable tourism and promoting eco-friendly practices. The agrotourism uses renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and biomass boilers, to power its facilities and features a comprehensive waste management system that recycles and composts waste. The agrotourism also sources its food locally, emphasizing seasonal and organic produce in its meals, and uses water-saving measures, such as low-flow showerheads and faucets, to conserve water.

The agrotourism also encourages guests to participate in eco-friendly activities and learn about sustainable farming practices. Guests can take part in farm tours, olive oil and wine tastings, and cooking classes that showcase the local area’s food culture and agricultural practices. The agrotourism also offers a variety of outdoor activities that promote sustainable transportation, such as hiking and cycling tours.

In addition to its sustainable practices, Can Marti Agroturisme also supports the local community through its social responsibility program. The agrotourism partners with local organisations, to support education, health and environmental initiatives in the surrounding villages, and the majority of the staff employed are from the local area.

Overall, Can Marti Agroturisme’s commitment to sustainable tourism has earned it recognition as one of the most sustainable agrotourisms in Catalonia. By implementing sustainable practices and promoting eco-friendly activities, the agrotourism is able to offer a unique and authentic stay experience for guests while also contributing to the local community and reducing its environmental impact.

Source: www.tripadvisor.com