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by Mike Morellato, B.A., M.Sc. (December 2, 2007) Nearly 4 years ago I was on trip to Thailand with friends I had been teaching with in Taiwan. While on a beach in Rai-Lay I remembered a conversation I had with some band members at the Bangkok International Airport - they mentioned they had travelled to Phuket and had a great time. Not knowing its reputation as a crowded, Americanized tourist trap (relative to other places in the country) we decided to give it a try, opting to order another drink rather than open our guide books and read a little about our new destination. Perhaps I should have known what we were in for since the band that had become our newfound airport friends were called "The Red Elvises." Nonetheless, we continued on our adventure. While taking in the sights and nightlife on Thailand's largest island, I couldn't help but notice the thriving sex trade (including more than a fair share of she-males), the Americanized food, the trinket souvenir vendors and the countless bars that are situated so close to one another that you felt they were designed to accommodate a rumour that the island was shrinking :)  | The crowded bars of Phuket at night near Patong Beach... I think I'm getting claustrophobic
(Source: Mike Morellato) |
Although our adventures up to this point in Phuket provided many "ugly tourism" talking points, one sight in particular caught my attention. It was the contrast between the huge multistory 4-star hotels that towered over the ocean's edge at Patong Beach, and the family-run hostels two blocks east of these massive developments. While this is not uncommon in popular tourism hotspots, I absorbed more than ever before the conscious choice one makes between the lush resort and the mom-and-pop accomodation nearby. While not trying to preach that smaller is always better and fit for everyone, it really hit me that choices made on one's travels can really have an impact in a variety of ways on the local residents, our environment, as well as on our pocketbook. After leaving Phuket I began to think more and more about "responsible travel" and became very interested in the concept. The term responsible travel seems to be widely used in a variety of forms, so I hesitate to add yet another definition to the mix - but for the purposes of this article I would like to distinguish it from broad-based "sustainable tourism" definitions. Responsible travel is "travel whereby the tourist makes concrete choices while mobile and at final destinations to benefit the local population and the environment, including a respect for local culture, the use of natural resources and the local economy." This is nothing new to the realm of tourism, but it is a concept that is definitely gaining more ground with increased environmental awareness and the Green Revolution that seems to be sweeping into our daily lives, from Mr. Gore's doomsday scenarios to your local home renovations store marketing that green lifestyle in their new flyer. Why should I care when I'm on vacation? What does it really mean to travel responsibly? Will this take the relaxation and fun out of my trip?
These are commonly asked questions when first learning of responsible travel, and I would like to shed light on these issues now. First, the reasons to open one's mind to responsible travel are in the numbers. 1.5 billion annual tourists by 2020 are expected to be charting their paths to various destinations across the globe1, so without introducing issues of pollution, waste, energy use, social impact, as well as cultural and economic implications of today's traveller - it is evident to most that the actions of every tourist can make a difference. From our attitude towards the local residents to the dollars we spend at the new hotspot establishes our footprint on the destination. The following chart provides a good overview of what it really means to travel responsibly, which includes some sound advice relating to various aspects of your getaway. From choosing sustainable transportation options to continuing your recycling practices on the road, many of these steps are easy to accomplish while away from home. We are quick to rid our homes of standard incandescent lightbulbs, install composts and maybe even take the 100-mile challenge and support local food markets, but is the world ready to take their green habits on the road? With the growth of traveller awareness, low-impact alternatives (such as ecolodges) and improving certification schemes (e.g. Green Globe), I am optimistic about the future of travel and believe that the little effort it takes to make a difference abroad leaves little room for excuses. Nonetheless, there are challenges in spreading the word of sustainable travel. Convincing our parents' generation to tread lightly on the road is a little more challenging. They are getting into their senior years, just learning this concept of sustainability, will be out of their comfort zone on the road and ready for relaxation. They will probably be much more inclined to think first about Shirley Temples and catered food at that all-inclusive resort in Mexico prior to considering carbon offsets or bicycle rentals, for example. Sustainable travel in its most extreme forms may not be for everyone, but it is important to stress that one doesn't have to stay at an ecolodge, eat vegetarian meals and read a used book under solar-powered light to contribute to their holiday being low-impact  Choose a family-run hostel instead of a chain hotel; eat dinner at a local food vendor rather than Mickey D's; seek out alternatives to driving when possible... there are many ways to lessen your impact when you travel, and they don't take the fun out of your vacation. I will be providing more useful information through articles and links as time goes on throughout the site that I hope will be useful to you.
In closing I want to say that I too am guilty of staying at resorts in the past that are designed to give you less exposure to the local culture than a prisoner in solitary confinement  It is only through these experiences that I have come to realize the benefits of seeking out alternatives. You will find that a low-impact holiday can be a fun endeavour and add even more satisfaction to an already great vacation. Best of all, it's easy and will often save you more greenbacks to be used on that next beer. Would you like to comment on this article? Please voice your opinion below in the comment box - your input is welcome. Note: There is no need to fill in all boxes - but if you would like to be notified when someone replies to your comment, type in your email and choose "Notify" from the drop-down box |
Related links:
Lonely Planet: Responsible Travel Tips: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/responsibletravel/travel_tips.cfm
Responsible Tourism Handbook - a guide for tourism operators: http://www.satis.co.za/responsible_tourism_handbook/
Green Travel Tips from Independent Traveller: http://www.independenttraveler.com/resources/article.cfm?AID=737&category=44
Planning an Eco-holiday: http://www.ecotourdirectory.com/
References: 1. World Tourism Organization (2001). Address by Francesco Frangialli Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization to the Third UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries International Trade, Commodities and Services. Available online at: http://www.un.org/events/ldc3/conference/address/tourism17_e.htm 2. Scenta (2006). How large is your holiday footprint? Engineering and Technology Board. Available online at: http://www.scenta.co.uk/Eco/987184/how-large-is-your-holiday-footprint.htm
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