What is sustainable tourism?
Basically it's travel that lessens the negative impacts and maximises the positive ones. It's all about the impact.
Negative impacts can be on the economy of the region, destruction of natural areas and habitats, endangering wildlife, and completely ignoring the culture of the people indigenous to that area.
Positive impacts can be valuing the culture of those who live there, contributing to their economy, job creation, wildlife conservation, landscape restoration. Really just making a difference and giving back in some way rather than having no thought for the people, plants, animals, ecosystems you come across.
Sustainable tourism relies on 3 interconnected pillars:
1. The Environmental Pillar (Planet) Here you focus on minimising your ecological footprint and conserving natural resources, water and energy, preserving biodiversity, and reducing waste. You do this by using eco-friendly transportation where possible, supporting conservation-focused wildlife tours, and staying in accommodations that use renewable energy.
2. The Social Pillar (People) This is where it's not jus† a holiday, but you also consider the host community. Are you respecting local traditions, values, and the human rights of residents? Are you considering community well-being, cultural preservation, and hospitality workers are being treated?You do this by respecting local customs, purchasing authentic crafts directly from Indigenous or local artisans, and learning about the history of the area you're visiting.
3. The Economic Pillar (Profit) The goal is for tourism to drive long-term, stable economic prosperity for the area you're visiting. This would be things like creating decent jobs, alleviating poverty by maximising local wealth retention. You can contribute to the local economy by staying in locally-owned guesthouses, dining at family-run restaurants, and hiring local guides.
We believe that the Ubuntu Across Southern Africa expedition will honour and support the International Year of Sustainable Tourism and Resilience in 2027. We are doing this trip to support sustainable tourism, raise awareness of different conservation and social issues, and hopefully raise funds for these different charities.
You can support sustainable tourism by supporting us through watching and sharing our videos, talking about the different charities and helping us to raise funds for them so that they can continue making a difference.