The Harms of Travel and How to Avoid Them
Travel has immense potential to benefit both the host country and its residents, as well as (and, of course) travelers. Tourism can bring economic growth and enhance quality of life for the host country when done right. The issue?
The way we travel currently is incredibly unsustainable socially, environmentally, economically and culturally. In 2019 alone, tourism contributed $2.9 trillion to the global GDP. So, there’s no denying that the industry is a money making machine, yet we are consuming it so mindlessly and dangerously.
This mindlessness and lack of consciousness in our travel decisions leads to a list of problems for the host country. By changing our travel behaviors to being more responsible, we can avoid and reverse some of these harms. .
Overtourism
Definition: an excessive number of visitors traveling to famous locations, damaging the environment and having a detrimental impact on resident's lives.
Financial accessibility paired with the showcasing of travel in a digital world has caused tourism to ramp up significantly in the past few decades. This has led to millions of tourists going to the same travel hotspots, which leads to depleting infrastructures, environments and resources, as well as cultivating poor resident-to-tourist relations.
Some of the effects of overtourism include an increase in resource consumption, air pollution and litter/waste, destruction of ecosystems and infrastructures, as well as damaging the quality of life for locals with rising prices in food, resources and housing.
A few examples of overtourism are:
Venice: tides from cruise ships erode buildings + create air and water pollution
Maya Bay: litter and water pollution destroy island's ecosystem
Machu Picchu: the number of tourists is eroding the Inca Trail and leaving litter, threatening infrastructure, local fauna and animals
Amsterdam: government raised tourist tax to crack down on overtourism and is also considering banning tourists from coffee shops
So, what are the solutions to overtourism?
Avoid overtourism hotspots. if you want to go, travel during the offseason
Travel to less known cities/parks/monuments that are just as beautiful
Prioritize reusables > single-use plastics, and bring them with you!
Be diligent about spending money in the local economy; food, accommodation, tours, shopping, etc. (spending money in local economy ensures that the community benefits from tourism)
Being more conscious about the impact of your travels; responsible tourism
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Definition: emission of gases into Earth's atmosphere, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone.
One of the biggest problems to tourism is that we inevitably have to fly everywhere. While there are some other large contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, flying contributes to 2 percent of global annual carbon dioxide emissions and three percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions. In a time when global temperatures are steadily rising, it’s crucial that we cut unnecessary emissions wherever we can.
I labeled this section “greenhouse gas emissions” and not “carbon dioxide emissions” because travel is responsible for far more emissions than just aviation. While transportation is a large part of the greenhouse gas emissions pie, electricity, industry and agriculture follow closely behind. All of which we still contribute to even while we’re on vacation!
Some ways to minimize your greenhouse gas emissions are as follows:
Fly less. Be conscious and limit the amount of flights you take per year
Opt for slow travel as opposed to hopping from country-to-country
Once at your destination, take public transportation as much as possible
Fly on newer planes when possible (they emit less carbon dioxide)
Combat carbon emissions with conscious action in other aspects of your life, i.e. reduce your meat intake, carpool/walk more, conserve energy, no fast fashion
Take more "staycations" or "holistays"
Economic Leakage
Definition: when the profits from tourism are taken out of the host country and into outside economies
Tourism has profound potential to raise the quality of life for the host community, only if the profits stay in the local economy. Economic leakage leaves the local community with the harms of travel without much financial compensation. This is unethical exploitation, usually by the hands of multinational companies funded by your consumer power.
Thanks to globalization, multinational companies have more power to swoop into countries and turn cultural tourism into a money-making commodity. They then take their profits outside of the host country’s economy (economic leakage), which stunts social or economic growth for the community who just supported all of your travels.
Economic leakage can occur in a number of ways, but a few examples are:
Imported goods
Foreign employment
Foreign ownership
The only way for travel to be beneficial for everyone is if the local community has control over tourism in their country. When we contribute to economic leakage, we are leaving absolutely nothing positive behind.
So, how do you combat economic leakage?
Use your consumer power to keep your money in the local economy
Stay in locally owned accommodation
Eat at locally owned restaurants
Book with locally owned tour guides
Buy locally created crafts rather than imported souvenirs
Avoid spending money with multinational companies that will take their profits outside of the local economy
Do you research and ask if locally owned when needed
Increase Plastic Pollution
Definition: Each year, an additional eight million tonnes of plastic end up in the world’s oceans, killing one million seabirds, 100,000 sea mammals, marine turtles and countless fish - One Planet Network
As frequent travelers, we have a greater responsibility to care for the environment. We see and experience the world most, therefore, preserving the Earth’s beauty should always be at the forefront of our minds.
Let’s let the facts of tourism and plastic pollution do the talking, shall we?
80% of all tourism takes place in coastal areas, making it a large contributor to oceanic plastic pollution
During peak tourist season, litter in the Mediterranean increases by 40%
Huge amounts of plastic end up in rivers from in-land and urban tourism
If trends continue, oceans could contain more plastic than fish by 2050
While plastic pollution is detrimental for the environment and animals, it also leaves the locals with an incredible amount of waste. Often times due to economic leakage, there isn't enough funding to clean up the mess left by tourists
We have to treat the places we visit with the same love and care we express towards our own communities. The best way to curve the plastic crisis is to eliminate using single-use plastics.
While achieving zero-waste can be difficult (hats off to you if you’ve made this your lifestyle!), limiting your use of single-use plastics is incredibly impactful. Remember, you do not have to be perfect, but you have to try!
Try implementing these anti-plastic solutions in your travel and home life:
Bring your own reusables: water bottle, cutlery, food container (for street food), coffee cup, straw, shopping bags
Say no to single-use plastic whenever possible, including on airlines
Use reusable toiletries and avoid "travel size" or single use sachets as much as possible
Dine-in instead of getting food to-go
Stay at eco-friendly accommodation
Unethical Wildlife Tourism
Definition: The exploitation of animals for tourism, often under horrible conditions that cause harm and deplete animal welfare
According to a 2017 report by Animal Concern, 75% of wildlife tourist attractions have a negative impact on wild animals with 80% of tourists being unaware of the negative impacts on animal welfare.
Global wildlife tourism generated $120.1 billion in 2018, which is five times as much as the illegal wildlife trade. While tourism can save animals from poaching, we have to be responsible in the trade off. Oftentimes these animals are “saved” just to live a life of work.
Over half a million animals are victims to unethical wildlife tourism globally. This number accounts only for registered venues and leaves out illegal wildlife tours, street performers and farms - World Animal Protection
Unethical wildlife tourism comes in many forms, but a few prominent and extremely harmful examples are:
Elephant riding
Selfies/hugging tigers
Dolphin interactions
Bear parks in Japan
Turtle farms
Crocodile farms
Shark cage diving
Snake charming
Bear dancing
While wildlife is a very in-demand tourist attraction, we have to shift our mindset and view animals with so much more respect than an idea of entertainment. Next time you want to engage in wildlife tourism, follow these tips:
According to the World Animal Protection Charity: “If you can ride it, hug it, or have a selfie with the wild animal, the chances are it is a cruel venue. Do not go.”
Opt for sanctuaries and rescues as opposed to zoos and captive interactions
Research, research, research -- even the sanctuaries
Let go of the idea that animals should be used as a tourist attraction and understand that an "authentic" experience is one where you do not physically interact with the animal.
Exploiting Indigenous Culture Commodification
Definition: the process of making culture, heritage and/or traditions into a commodity sold for the entertainment of tourists without ownership from the local community
Tourists are often on the hunt for "cultural" and "authentic experiences." When these exchanges are controlled and owned by the local community, it can positively influence cultural sustainability, community pride, as well as economic and social benefits.
However, the issue is when these cultural tourism experiences are not owned by the local community.
Thanks to globalization, cultural tourism tends to be owned by large multinational corporations who exploit the local culture and take majority of their profits out of the local economy (economic leakage). This diminishes the local culture and stunts any social, economic or environmental growth, as well as creating negative resident-tourist relations.
There’s definitely a responsible way to engage in cultural tourism, which you can do by following these tips:
Always engage in cultural tourism that is own by the local community
Research the culture/customs before arriving
Use your purchasing power to support businesses, organizations and individuals who care about economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability
Let go of any predisposed expectations of how you "should" experience the host country's culture
Opt for slow travel to increase chances of natural, authentic travel experiences
Globalization & Destruction of Culture
Definition: the process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
The positive and negative effects on globalization is a hotly debated topic. It definitely has the potential to empower the world through interconnectivity and economic development, however…
"There are a number of negative impacts globalization has had on cultural diversity, including the influence multinational corporations have on promoting a consumer culture, exploitation of workers and markets, and influencing societal values. This increased availability of commercial media and products can 'drown out' local cultural influences." -- University of British Columbia
The harms of travel intersect, with globalization being the common denominator. While there are a range of pro's and con's, globalization gives way for other negative effects of travel, like economic leakage and the exploitation of indigenous culture commodification.
"As a result of globalization, many indigenous groups are being more widely exploited through the tourism industry. The increasing ease of access to these cultures by Western tourists allows for a greater interaction between the two which is not necessarily equal.
Western tourists often view indigenous groups as quaint relics of the past that they can observe and report back on to their friends at home. Inevitably there is the acquisition of souvenirs which Western tourists put on display as examples of the primitive encounter they have returned from. Even though there is interest in the culture of these indigenous groups, there is rarely a sense of equality. The tourist often sees themselves as superior and worthy of being served." — University of British Columbia
So, how do we avoid the negative effects of globalization?
Take control of your consumer power and avoid spending money with multinational companies while traveling
Always spend your money with locally-owned businesses
Adopt responsible travel practices
Regard culture educationally instead of viewing it as a tourist attraction
Closing thoughts…
As we change our travel behaviors to be more responsible, it’s important to engage in an honest process of self-reflection. Perhaps you’re guilty of one or more of these harms (I know I am…). Instead of getting defensive, it’s important to reflect and understand which of your travel behaviors no longer serve you and the world.
Through education, we can change; and I truly believe holding ourselves to higher standards when traveling can help change the world. But, don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyday is a learning experience and the best we can do is change our behaviors when their harms have been brought to our attention.