Picture by me
Travel should be more than pictures. More than how we present it and ourselves to the outside world. Yet, many seem to pick their travel destinations on the basis of beauty and not knowledge to be gained and experiences to be had. This is not exclusively; many travel consciously, but many also travel blindly; not taking their time to learn anything about the places they visit, yet leaving more stress on the local population and buying into romanticism about cultures when they leave. Tourism in itself can be both a curse and a blessing, creating both an income and raising the economy in a place but also disfavoring the poor who no longer can afford to live where they do, polluting air and water, affecting local biodiversity or wearing out old architecture. This year, as many of us are bound to stay home or travel within our own country, maybe we could take the time to profoundly experience the places we visit and live(?)
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What makes a sustainable experience?
"A sustainable experience is an experience that leaves you with deep individual emotions and memories. As well is it awareness about how your presence affects the environment you're visiting." 1 The four main elements of a sustainable-memorable experience are:
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i. to be in nature and feel a part of it
ii. to see the art and culture of the places you visit
iii. a view with insight
iv. activities by the sea, in the forest or ontop a mountain
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You should be willing to experience something new and be present and linger in the places you travel instead of rushing onwards. Only by having the space to look outwards, will you be able to also create insight about how you affect the places you travel and experience how they really are.
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Which places can I visit or what can I do?
Visit museums, historical places, monuments, architecture, libraries. Walk trails in the forest, climb mountains, walk on beaches, experience wildlife in its natural habitat. Support local companies, stores, art, restaurants. Learn from the local population. Learn about the place, culture, history, art. See the place by walking or bicycling your local area or do a day expedition to a place further away. Take some pictures to make the memories last. Visit farmer's markets, festivals, etc. (if any.)
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How can I travel more sustainably?
i. support smaller local-owned inns, restaurants, travel companies, and stores instead of big, global ones
ii. walk, bicycle, or take the train as often as you can
iii. reduce the waste you're creating, and by all means, don't leave your waste flying! Use a refillable water bottle, bring reusable bags, don't buy things you don't need, and pack as lightly as reasonable. Make food at the house to go and bring reusable cutlery and a lunchbox or home compostable paper bags (if needed and possible.) Bring shampoo bars instead of bottles instead of bottled (also saves space), use a bamboo toothbrush, etc. Bring what you already own instead of buying new "over there."
iv. travel locally - discover your own local environment or travel broadly inside your own country.
v. if you have a lot of online influence, don't share the exact locations of where you are traveling as that has proven to be disastrous for some "instagrammable" locations.
vi. indulge in ecotourism.
vii. be respectful. Don't act like you own the place. Show respect for the local population. Also, animals, beliefs, and the natural environment.
This post is just a glimpse into how to travel conscious and sustainable. The tourism industry faces many sustainability and ethical problems worldwide. Hopefully, this post may be a push for many of us to educate ourselves and open the discussion on which travels truly are worth it, and how we can make those trips as fulfilling as possible.
Sources:
Kester Moe, Windy. (2020.) Bærekraftig Norgesreise [Sustainable Travelling in Norway] Høgskolen i Innlandet. https://forskning.no/hogskolen-i-innlandet-partner-reise/baerekraftig-norgesferie-hva-er-det/1674207 Accessed: May, 2020.
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