Sustainable Travel Is More Than a Trend

You’ve likely heard about sustainable travel – taking steps to reduce negative impacts on a destination’s environment and its residents.

This mindful way of traveling may soon be the only way to travel, as higher temperatures due to climate change and overcrowding stress popular destinations, prompting the reinvention of the tourism industry.

For Locals, Tourism Is a Gift and a Curse

Many countries need tourism to survive, but overtourism in popular vacation spots such as Italy, Spain and Greece left residents steaming and landmarks packed, according to Brian Garland, a travel advisor for AAA Northeast. Some cities lack the resources for such large crowds and are not equipped for sustained hot weather.

If temperatures continue to rise annually in Europe, those countries and others may drop off the summer travel schedule, he added. “Summer destinations may not be summer destinations anymore.” Already Scandinavia, the Arctic, the Canadian Rockies, Alaska and Iceland are increasingly popular summer vacation spots.

“Travel is harming certain communities, environments and ecosystems,” Garland explained. “Sustainability is not just a trend, it’s how travel will grow and survive. If places get over-toured, local economies will suffer.”

Let's Plan Something Wonderful

Book your next trip with AAA Travel now or call 866-423-5585 to speak with a travel advisor.

Book Now

Enough Is Enough

In summer 2024 locals rebelled in popular tourist destinations of Europe and Asia. Tourists crowded out residents, pushed rental prices beyond the reach of locals and failed to clean up after themselves.

In an effort to control crowds, Italy started requiring reservations at popular beaches during the peak summer season and banned towels and chairs from some shores. Overtourism in Bali prompted Indonesian officials to enact a moratorium on the construction of new hotels, villas and nightclubs in some sections of the island.

Even the wide-open spaces of U.S. national parks felt cramped, with about 13 million more visits in 2023 than in 2022, according to data from the National Park Service. During the busiest times, visitors have to book ahead to enter.

In their quest to capture photos of the trendiest spots, tourists have forgotten they are guests in someone else’s home, leaving the locals feeling frustrated.

Putting Locals First

Spurred by necessity and client interest, the travel industry is increasing offerings not just in sustainable and authentic travel, but also regenerative travel to give back to communities.

“People are moving away from large bus tours,” Garland said. “So far, younger travelers are the most interested.”

During authentic trips, people embed themselves in a community, while regenerative travel involves contributing to the place you stay, from planting trees to helping build a school.

“In travel, we sell memories, so why not make someplace better and easier for people to visit, enrich it and the locals who work there?” Garland added.

Part of traveling authentically means, for example, staying at an inn in town instead of a chain hotel and eating locally grown, seasonal foods in neighborhood restaurants. “It’s using the local culture as a springboard,” Garland said. “It’s the choice about preserving traditions and engaging with that community in a sustainable way and minimizing impact.”

Also called community-based tourism, the goal is to put more money into the hands of residents. “The more you can become connected with the local ecosystem, financial ecosystem and the cultural ecosystem, the more likely you are to have a better time,” Garland said.

Keeping Up With Sustainable Travel

AAA Travel has been growing its involvement in the sustainable travel market. It now is partnered with Tourism Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to the long-term survival of the travel and tourism industry, to create sustainable itineraries for popular destinations. 

Overall, the U.S. is rapidly expanding its spot in the ecotourism realm. The nation’s sustainable tourism industry is nearly 7.5% of the global market. In 2023, that market’s estimated value was more than $258 million, and it is projected to climb beyond $663 million by 2033.

One of the fastest growing travel choices now is river cruising, Garland said. Not only because of the smaller ships, which have less of an environmental impact, but because there are fewer people and more opportunities to connect to the local community. Train travel also is growing, both in the U.S. and internationally, especially in Europe, Asia and Africa.

That doesn’t mean that AAA will be divesting itself from ocean cruises and flights any time soon, Garland noted. The Caribbean and Disney properties consistently are among the biggest draws. But AAA is taking other steps to be more sustainable, such as promoting EV and hybrid rental cars and finding other ways travelers can reduce their carbon footprint. “Travel agents are talking about sustainability in a way we didn’t five years ago,” Garland said.

Making Any Trip More Sustainable

Even trips to Disney properties can be more sustainable, according to Garland. Instead of eating all your meals and shopping only on-site, consider visiting at least one restaurant or business outside of the park and bring reusable water bottles. You could also set aside a few hours of your vacation to volunteer in the community.

“Just make one small change that saves resources,” Garland said. “You don’t have to become an eco-warrior. Just think about where your dollars are going, what you are taking out and how you can contribute.”

To make you next vacation more sustainable, contact a AAA travel advisor today.