10/18/21, 11:14 AM Travel operators - SpeakEasy by Ajay Sharma | ET TravelWorld

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Responsible tourism is a greener alternative to drive the host country's economic, social, and
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improve human well-being.

Ajay Sharma Oct 15, 2021, 08.50 AM IST

Ajay Sharma
Founder and President, Abhinav Immigration Services

        

I f we ever evaluate the changing travel industry trends, we can always point
to pre and post-pandemic eras. Covid-19 has changed the way people view
the world and its environment. Earlier, people could move freely without any
restrictions, but now everything comes under scrutiny and obligations.
Perhaps, after a while, climate change may be the biggest challenge for the
SPEAKEASY
tourism Industry.

2 days ago

The impact of bus travel

Recent climate change events such as Melting Glaciers, Amazon and players on the travel
industry
Australian forest Wildfires, droughts, and depletion of water tables, are
alarming situations in this modern world. Tourism accounts for more than 5
per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation contributing 3 days ago
to 90 per cent. People disrupt natural resources contribute to pollution, waste, Responsible Tourism:
The role of travellers
and damage, and end up ultimately destroying the ecosystem upon which
and travel operators
tourism depends. Thus, Sustainable Tourism is the need of the hour.

Responsible tourism is a greener alternative to drive the host country's 9 days ago
Caravan Tourism: How
economic, social, and cultural needs without damaging their integrity,
will we mitigate the
ecology, wildlife, and cultural heritage. It helps the country conserve its environmental impact?
biodiversity, ecosystem, generate sustainable livelihoods, and improve human
well-being. There are three parameters that Responsible tourism is based on -
Environmental Sustainability, Social Sustainability, and Economic
Sustainability.

According to the studies based on these parameters, Scandinavian, Nordic and

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10/18/21, 11:14 AM Travel operators - SpeakEasy by Ajay Sharma | ET TravelWorld
10 days ago
Baltic countries have successfully implemented eco-tourism or sustainable
Madhya Pradesh
tourism thoroughly. Sweden serves as a role model to all developed nations in Tourism: Connecting
implementing climate-friendly policies, conserving biodiversity, pollution- the mind to life's
journey
free transportation, uplifting rural and regional tourism. The country became
the birthplace of the Flight Shame movement where it discouraged people
17 days ago
from flying to lower carbon emissions.

New travel trends are

paving the way for
generations to come
Speaking of carbon emissions, let's look at a country quietly contributing to
preserving nature in the best possible way-Bhutan. It is the only carbon
negative country in the world. It means that the country absorbs more carbon 20 days ago
dioxide than it produces annually. This is because around 70per cent of the The Changing Face of
country is covered in trees and their constitution even passed a bill that Travel: How will the
industry reinvent itself
mandates to preserve 60per cent of the forest land. The country thrives on
eco-tourism by charging a sustainable fee from all the travellers. Maybe this is
View More 
why the country focuses more on Gross National Happiness (GNP) than the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to measure the collective happiness and well-
being of the population.

What role do these tourists and tour operators play?

The entire framework of Responsible Tourism rests on the shoulders of

travellers and tour operators. They have the power to make or break any given
opportunity to preserve nature. Tour operators have successfully contributed
to the development of isolated areas, long-lost art forms, as well as culture.
The curated experience designed by these agencies provide acomplete
ambiance of the culture of a country, the handicrafts, agri-farming, textiles,
arts, food, and people. More and more hidden and beautiful places are
becoming accessible to tourists, which eventually create opportunities for the
small communities to represent their cultures and earn their livelihood and
resources.

In the post-pandemic era, the role of travellers will be vital to help the global
economy recover. Many countries have faced the wrath of Covid-19 impacts
and global economic slowdown. Once the borders are open, tourism can give
these worst-hit countries the much-needed boost and economic drive. They
need to become more environmentally conscious, adopt sustainable measures,
use more eco-friendly vehicles, consume less electric power, avoid plastics
usage, and participate in environmental cleaning drives.

The time has come for tour operators and travellers to evolve, lean towards
the environmental cause, and lead the travel industry to become more
sustainable. These developments, practices, and lifestyle changes play a
significant role in saving this beautiful and thriving planet for years to come.

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETTravelWorld.com does not
necessarily subscribe to it. ETTravelWorld.com shall not be responsible for any damage
caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.

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cultural tourism Covid-19 impact

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