Green tourism in France is growing at a rapid pace. It responds to a desire for global change on the part of travelers who are looking for more responsible and environmentally friendly models.
Ecotourism or sustainable tourism , these two terms mean the same thing, namely traveling the world discovering the jewels of nature without destroying what makes it strong.
The contraction of the terms economy and tourism is obviously no coincidence in defining this new concept of global travel. The increase in air travel and the democratization of trips to the other side of the planet are contributing to global warming and climate change.
Promoting green tourism ensures the protection of flora and fauna, as well as local populations. This allows us to continue to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes and maintain the dynamism of the tourism sector.
What is green tourism and why is it important?
In our environmentally conscious society, eco-tourism is gaining momentum. Every day, we see the damage caused by mass tourism in certain regions of the world.
A disaster caused both unintentionally and intentionally. Littering on beaches, using harmful beauty products in nature reserves, and so on, are just a small part of the widespread pollution caused primarily by our means of transportation.
No more group trips to the same tourist spots; make way for nature and the great outdoors. Green tourism aims to minimize the individual's impact by empowering travelers without ever making them feel guilty.
But beyond the protection of nature, eco-tourism also includes globalization, which reduces the appeal of subcultures, the destruction of protected areas by the accumulation of tourists, etc.
Promoting local produce is part of the tourism revival. Rural tourism is a term used to describe the exploration of agricultural areas where accommodation, dining, and various activities take place within a single environment.
This is an alternative form of tourism that runs counter to a tourism industry that has failed in its mission to combine travel and ecology. This profitability at all costs has caused significant damage in just a few years.
Green tourism is therefore not mass tourism but remains on a human scale in order to offer a more ethical and immersive experience, far from the idea of traditional forms of the sector.
To the question "is eco-tourism for everyone?" the answer is yes. It will simply be necessary to offer options that are exotic and exciting enough to encourage travelers from all over the world to change their habits, without making them feel frustrated or disadvantaged.
Concretely, how can you embrace eco-responsible tourism during your trip?
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The right way to travel
Although it is not always easy to do without the plane, especially when going to a distant destination, the objective is to limit its use.
Booking a direct flight is a better option, for the simple reason that carbon emissions are particularly high during takeoff and landing.
However, it's mainly once you arrive that you can really make a difference. If you need to rent a car, opt for a hybrid or electric one. Similarly, bicycle travel is preferable to taxi travel when visiting tourist attractions.
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Eco-friendly and reusable material
Whether you're a seasoned traveler or not, investing in environmentally friendly gear is a good idea. Organic solid toothpaste will replace the supermarket one with an aluminum tube. The traditional plastic bottle, which pollutes the oceans, will be replaced by a reusable filter bottle . A larger sum at the start, of course, but one that will quickly be recouped over time through the numerous reuses of the products in question.
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Local products
Whenever possible, buy local products rather than having them delivered online or shipped from their country of origin.
Eat local, not fast food.
Shop at the market rather than in a supermarket.
Small gestures that alone make all the difference for the inhabitants but also and above all for the planet.
Green tourism, a standard for the future?
Many commentators agree that ecotourism is not a whim of a small group of revolutionary tourists, but rather a groundswell that seeks to impose itself and regulate the market.
The Covid crisis has demonstrated that nature thrives perfectly well without humans. The time for profound change has arrived.
It's not about stopping flying, but about doing it smarter.
It is not about saying that mass tourism is bad, but about regulating it so that everyone can enjoy it.
Hotels have long contributed to coastal destruction. Airports and tourist hotspots have wiped out much of the flora and fauna in many parts of the world.
Tourism is both a problem and a solution. Its impact on local populations is undeniable, and it alone provides a livelihood for millions of people around the world.
In this context, professionals in the sector will be able to think of a new way of offering trips around the world, starting with sustainable tourism which advocates the conservation and protection of the environment.
