Why Thrive for Sustainable Tourism Practises?

Small and local businesses play an important role in destinations all over the world. Community development and well-being, increased local character and prosperity, environmental sustainability, and healthy competition/product diversity are just some of the benefits that a concentration of local businesses can bring to local places.

Moreover, especially through tourism, travellers are starting to learn and understand that by choosing local and small businesses to support, they are spending their tourist dollars in ways that are more likely to protect the environment, preserve the social-cultural aspects of a place, and keep money within local economies.

Local doesn’t always mean “sustainable”

However, it is important to note that although supporting and operating local businesses directly correlates with the betterment of communities and destination self-reliance – local doesn't always mean "sustainable". In fact, oftentimes local businesses can be deterred from sustainability as it can be viewed as expensive, a challenge to implement, and confusing with the number of guidelines and standardizations out there. But in truth, starting your journey to sustainability doesn't have to be viewed this way.

Sustainability is a journey

Sustainability is a journey, which requires constant, continuous effort to improve. Yet the work pays off. Through active effort and transparency, it is more likely that businesses will see higher employee retention, capture and retain conscious consumers, be seen as a community leader through actions that better improve the Earth and surrounding community, as well as better financial opportunities and return. Through collective action - support and implementation - the long-term societal and environmental benefits will provide a more sustainable and habitable future of our planet - starting with you.

Want to learn more about sustainable tourism? Visit Ecomadic - a platform that connects sustainably-minded travellers with responsible businesses & experiences. They are on the mission to empower travellers to make more impactful decisions by supporting small & local eco-accommodations, socially responsible eateries, social enterprise shops, and ethical experiences that have environmental and social missions in place. Furthermore, they work to educate and inspire by publishing content weekly on The Sustainable Seed - their online travel magazine; covering topics including sustainable living, climate change, and environmental & social justice.

If you are a business and lost on where to start, here are some green tips for eco-accommodations compiled by Ecomadic to begin.

Written by Ecomadic

Ecomadic is a platform that connects sustainably-minded travelers with responsible businesses & experiences. As a sustainable travel brand, we are on the mission to empower travelers to make more impactful decisions by supporting small & local eco-accommodations, socially responsible eateries, social enterprise shops, and ethical experiences that have environmental and social missions in place. This way, through travel, we can collaboratively protect the environment, uplift the surrounding communities, and keep money within local economies; showcasing that tourism dollars can make an impact whether you’re adventuring off-the-grid, in your own backyard & everywhere in between!

Learn more about our commaboration with Ecomadic here.