We must stop looking to recover the tourist industry and rather work at transitioning travel and tourism to a truly sustainable level, according to an opinion article written by Andrew Evans and published by NBC News.
The pandemic could become a time of reckoning, allowing us to consider how to solve problems that have become endemic to tourism, like overdevelopment and overtourism, indiscriminate pollution, environmental destruction, unfair labour conditions, wildlife abuse, the exploitation of women and children, sex trafficking, marginalisation of indigenous peoples and corruption.
He says, considering the industry’s lip service to ‘sustainability’, it now has a chance to implement a truly sustainable travel industry. Broad global standards and protocols must be put in place, and a different travel industry built with these in mind, says Andrew.
Regarding travel, Andrew believes that those blessed with extra income and enough leisure time to be tourists, have to make better decisions and ask: “Who/What/Which resources am I exploiting? How can I make sure my adventure benefits the individuals, communities, cultures, and natural spaces I encounter? How can I support small and medium social enterprises? How can I help empower women around the world? How can I help protect the wildest bits of our planet and make sure they survive this century?”
Read the full article here.
