Sustainable Tourism Efforts in Various Destinations

Tourism’s environmental impact is a growing concern worldwide, with the sector contributing to 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from air travel. The post-pandemic tourism boom has exacerbated the issue, with destinations like Greece witnessing record-breaking visitor numbers despite economic challenges and climate-related crises.

To combat overtourism and ecological damage, some destinations are adopting sustainable practices. For example, Thailand’s Maya Beach, famous from the film “The Beach,” reopened with visitor limits and strict regulations after years of closure due to environmental damage. These measures have significantly improved coral restoration and ecosystem protection.

Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom, introduced a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) three decades ago to limit mass tourism. The revenue from this fee has been invested in conservation, sustainability initiatives, and offsetting tourism emissions, making Bhutan South Asia’s only carbon-negative country. However, a recent fee hike led to reduced tourist numbers, prompting a reduction to strike a balance between climate protection and the local economy.

Costa Rica pioneered sustainable tourism with a certification program in 1997, which contributed to reversing decades of deforestation. More than 98% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources, emphasizing the success of this approach.

Mallorca, a popular tourist destination, has implemented a 2022 tourism law focused on energy efficiency, CO2 reduction, and the elimination of single-use plastics in hotels. The island also imposes an eco tourism tax, reinvested in sustainability efforts, including the restoration of vital seagrass meadows.

While these destinations are making strides in sustainability, challenges remain in transforming tourist hotspots into models of environmental responsibility.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times