Travel agencies: how to make tourism sustainable?

From the World Conference on Sustainable Tourism, to be held in Stockholm from April 23 to 26, 2024, to several conferences organized at the IFTM Top Résa trade show in Paris, tourism as it is practiced today raises questions, provokes criticism and reflects on its environmental and social consequences. What if sustainable travel were one of the solutions to global warming? To respect the planet and the local populations you visit, what good practices would you advise your clients to adopt when traveling in France or abroad?

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1/ Why is sustainable tourism essential? 🤔

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Because tourism is a pillar of the global economy

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In 2023, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), some 1.5 billion international tourists travelled around the world, resuming growth once and for all. The tourism sector now supports almost 10% of the world's working population and accounts for 3% of global GDP.

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France is the world's 1st tourist destination, with 100 million visitors (2023), welcoming over 270,000 people every day! This sector accounts for nearly 8% of the country's GDP and generates 1.3 million jobs.

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The Covid-19 crisis has revealed just how important this sector is in certain countries, such as Southern Europe. In Croatia, for example, revenues from international tourism account for over 20% of wealth created in a year.

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In some Caribbean island countries, this percentage rises to 60%, as in Saint Lucia... In India, for every 100 tourists, 172 people have a job.

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Because tourism is partly responsible for global warming

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On a global scale, a study published in 2021 showed that tourism accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. For France, tourism is responsible for 11% of its CO2 emissions.

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The carbon footprint of tourism is generated by everything tourists buy on their vacation (food, accommodation, shopping), and especially by transport.

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According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), we need to halve CO2 emissions by 2030 to stay below the critical global warming threshold (+1.5°C), before achieving carbon neutrality in 2050.

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Tourism has other negative impacts on environmental protection and natural resource management. According to a report by the WWF, more than half of all litter in the Mediterranean is linked to beach tourism.

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Wastewater discharge contributes to water and soil pollution. A case in point is the Philippine island of Boracay, which was closed to tourists in 2018 because hotels were discharging their wastewater directly into the sea, going against the preservation of natural sites.

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In Thailand, the beach at Maya Bay, renowned as the location for the film "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, used to welcome up to 5,000 people a day. It was recently closed by local authorities to enable a campaign to reintroduce coral and protect the environment.

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Iceland has also banned access to the Fjadrárgljúfur canyon for several months in 2019. Made famous by a Justin Bieber music video filmed a few years earlier, the site was deeply degraded as a result of too many visitors.

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Did you say "overtourism"?

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Harmful to biodiversity, tourism can lead to the rejection of certain populations, as in Barcelona, Venice, Marseille and Amsterdam. Although tourism is an important source of revenue for many cities, it can also have negative effects on the quality of life of local residents.

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For example, in these cities, the increase in tourism has led to a rise in the cost of living. This includes not only property prices, which have risen due to the increased demand for vacation accommodation, but also the cost of everyday consumer goods, which has risen due to the increased demand for tourism.

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Increased tourism can also lead to noise pollution, particularly in residential areas close to popular tourist attractions. This can disrupt the daily lives of local residents and diminish their quality of life. In addition, beaches and other public spaces can become crowded, making it difficult for local residents to enjoy these areas.

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Because sustainable tourism is increasingly in demand

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Various studies carried out this year in France and the United States show that a majority of people want to go on vacation while limiting their carbon footprint and participating in the circular economy, i.e. producing goods and services in a sustainable way by optimizing the consumption and management of natural resources, as well as the production of waste.

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There may be differences between age groups as to which actions should be given priority, but the desire is there: to participate at one's own level in another form of tourism that is more respectful of nature, the environment and sustainable development. We'll call it ecotourism.

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Key figures:

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• 61% of French people say they are prepared to pay more for local products;

• 44% are prepared to pay more for their holiday as a whole in order to travel in an environmentally-friendly way;

• When it comes to accommodation and transport, 40% are willing to pay more for a sustainable alternative;

• 70% of tourists would like to have a more positive impact on the places they visit... and the people they meet;

• 85% of respondents regret that online travel platforms offer little access to specific selections of environmentally-friendly and responsible holidays.

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As travel agents who create tailor-made trips and have in-depth knowledge of destinations, you can take advantage of the links forged with your local partners to participate in the circular economy and sustainable development, and propose offers in line with this trend.

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2/ What are the objectives of sustainable tourism? 🎯

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Inspired by sustainable development, the UNWTO defines sustainable tourism, or ecotourism, as "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, by meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment and host communities".

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Protecting nature

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Ecotourism contributes to the development of local cultural and natural heritages, enhancing their diversity and uniqueness. Thanks to ecotourism, rural, mountain or coastal areas, often neglected by traditional economic activities, can benefit from a new economic dynamic.

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However, it is crucial to put in place measures to minimize the negative impact of this activity on the environment. For example, the implementation of education programs about environmental protection for travelers, the development of sustainable responsible travel practices, such as the use of eco-friendly means of transport, recycling and waste reduction, or the promotion of the circular economy through the purchase of local products and services.

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It is also important to work closely with local communities, who are often the first to be affected by the negative impacts of tourism. This can be done through community consultations, partnerships with local organizations, or by setting up training and employment programs for local people in the tourism sector.

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It is therefore essential to set up monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the effectiveness of the measures put in place, and to adapt strategies according to the results obtained. Such systems could include the collection of data on the use of natural resources, the impact on natural resource management, or the economic and social impact on local communities.

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Promoting long-term economic and social development

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This means that everyone must benefit from the positive effects of tourism activities. At destination, for example, working conditions must be decent, wages fair and jobs stable, while ensuring the long-term viability of businesses. Beyond mere remuneration, tourism activities must also contribute to the personal and professional development of employees. This can take the form of ongoing training opportunities, mentoring programs and career advancement possibilities. In this way, tourism can help bridge the gap between existing skills and those required by the modern economy, but more broadly it is a societal responsibility.

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Tourism companies also have a role to play in supporting local communities. They can do so by purchasing local products, supporting community projects and respecting local customs and traditions: in short, by participating in the local economy. What's more, they can help protect the environment by adopting sustainable practices and raising tourist awareness of the importance of preserving natural sites.

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It is also essential that the benefits of tourism are shared equitably. This means that revenues generated by tourism must be reinvested in the local community, supporting education, health and infrastructure, for example. In this way, tourism can contribute to achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and creating a better future for all.

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Enable travellers to meet local people and discover their cultures

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Whether we're talking about responsible travel, immersion, slow tourism, agrotourism or solidarity tourism, it's all about promoting authenticity and ensuring that tourists don't remain isolated from local populations. Discovery, astonishment, encounters, a change of scenery and roaming are the focus. Immersion tourism invites travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture. It's not just about visiting picturesque places, but really understanding the daily life of the local people. This can include taking part in traditional activities, sampling local dishes and learning the local language.

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Slow tourism, on the other hand, encourages tourists to take their time. Instead of rushing from one tourist site to another, slow tourism suggests lingering in a place, fully appreciating it. This can mean spending a week in a small country town, taking a long hike through nature, or simply sitting in a local café and watching the world go by. To find out more about this responsible travel trend, read this article.

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Agrotourism is another form of responsible travel that promotes authenticity. Tourists can visit farms, take part in agricultural activities and even stay in rural accommodation. It's a great opportunity to learn where our food comes from and how it's produced.

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Finally, solidarity tourism aims to support local communities. Tourists can contribute to community projects, volunteer or simply spend their money on local businesses. It's a way of traveling that benefits both tourists and local populations.

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3/ How to travel responsibly 🏞️

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To achieve the main objective of sustainable travel, talk to your customers about the best practices to implement during their travels. Perhaps without realizing it, some of your customers are already taking steps to protect the environment on a daily basis (composting, reducing meat consumption, sorting waste, using public transport and bicycles, etc.).

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Before you leave, pack a zero-waste suitcase

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Would your customers like to take advantage of their trip to swim in the sea and relax on a beach? Advise them to buy bathing suits made from recycled materials, and sun creams that don't contain chemical compounds like oxybenzone, which are harmful to the oceans.

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Tell them to use a water bottle instead of plastic, and reusable plates and cutlery if picnics are planned. Cloth shopping bags are preferable to plastic ones.

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Before leaving home, remember to unplug all electrical appliances. It's good for the planet and for your customers' electricity bills.

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Should we still be flying?

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If, for example, we compare the carbon footprints of transport modes drawn up a few years ago by the Climate Action Network, air transport is the worst performer. Per passenger and per kilometer, the figures are as follows:

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• High-Speed Train: 3.5 g of CO2

• Mainline trains : 10 g of CO2

• Bus : 20 g of CO2

• Car : 85 g of CO2

• Airplane : 145 g of CO2.

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Worldwide, air transport accounts for around 2% of global carbon emissions.

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But rather than prohibiting the use of airplanes, we recommend using them as little as possible, but for longer, more responsible journeys. Take direct flights rather than connecting flights. Recommend airlines such as Air France that allow passengers to offset their carbon footprint through tree-planting campaigns or to participate in local development projects.

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Promote the benefits of train travel. If your customers absolutely insist on taking the car, or because there are no other options, limiting the use of air conditioning and reducing speed are two good practices. An intermediate solution, easier to implement when your customers are planning to travel alone or in pairs, is to suggest car-sharing websites (Blablacar, for example). On site, public transport, bicycles or walking are preferable.

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Tip: to assess your customers' greenhouse gas emissions, visit the Good Planet, Greentripper or Carbon Foot Print websites.

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Finding sustainable accommodation

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Offer itineraries to your customers by selecting accommodations that are certified by ecotourism labels such as Gîte Panda, Travel Life, Ecolabel, Clef Verte or Green Globe.

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Responsible travel that promotes the management of natural resources and sustainable development, while maintaining a certain level of comfort, is possible. More and more luxury hotels are implementing sustainable development policies.

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Regardless of the type of accommodation you book, you can advise your guests to stick to their everyday habits (e.g. limiting water and energy consumption, using towels, using non-packaged soaps).

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Eating local and organic

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While flying less often and taking the train instead of the car can be reluctant for some travelers, buying and eating local and organic produce is one of the most popular ways of implementing ecotourism.

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With the help of your local partners, suggest restaurants, shops and farms that offer seasonal, organic produce. These products should be sourced locally, and not from another region or even another country, to limit the carbon impact of transport. Customers appreciate these gustatory discoveries, these moments of encounter with shopkeepers and restaurateurs.

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Economic spin-offs are also common. In Corsica, under the "Rispettu" program, several hotels have changed the composition of their breakfasts to include local, ecologically designed products. The result: a +30% capture rate, and the advanced implementation of sustainable development on the island of beauty.

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Promote activities and visits that respect nature and local populations

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Avoid attractions featuring dolphin shows, elephant rides or activities such as jet skiing. Beware of whale-watching cruises, for example. Some tour operators get too close to the cetaceans, which can sometimes drive the baby away from its mother.

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For your customers who want to give meaning to their trip, suggest that they discover permaculture in Brittany, or milk cows and make fromage frais in Isère, by booking for them on online sites like wecandoo, voyageons-autrement or la grange au savoir faire.

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Offer all or part of your itineraries off the beaten track, with unusual outdoor activities such as hiking, to disperse the flow of travelers in space and/or time, as many regions are planning to do. The Basque Country, for example, wants to attract tourists to the countryside rather than just the coast. This kind of travel, included in the practice of ecotourism, is included in Slow Travel: click here to find out more about this trend to limit travelers' carbon footprint.

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Tip: Flockéo is a very useful site for discovering, choosing and contacting sustainable tourism players. Another option is Digital Green Tourisme, which helps tourism operators to develop a more responsible offering.

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Providing access to vacations for all, encouraging local tourism and reducing digital pollution are just some of the ways in which we can offer responsible, sustainable travel. Because there is no Planet B, it's important for travelers and tourism professionals alike to play their part in this fight.

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FAQ : Sustainable tourism

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How can I travel responsibly?

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You can practice responsible travel by choosing providers who adopt sustainable practices, respecting local culture and traditions, minimizing your carbon footprint (for example, by favoring public transport), and participating in activities that support the circular, local economy and environmental conservation.

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Why is natural resource management important in the tourism context?

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Managing natural resources is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of tourist destinations. Good management ensures that future generations will also be able to enjoy these resources, and helps prevent their depletion or degradation.

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What steps are being taken to protect the environment in the tourism sector?

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Actions to protect the environment include setting strict environmental standards for hotels and other tourist establishments, supporting nature parks and reserves, encouraging waste reduction and water and energy consumption, and educating tourists about sustainable practices.

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How can the circular economy be integrated into sustainable tourism?

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The circular economy can be integrated into sustainable tourism through the reuse, recycling and recovery of waste. Facilities can adopt practices that reduce resource consumption and create recycling loops, such as composting organic waste or using recycled products.

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What is sustainable development in the tourism sector?

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Sustainable development in the tourism sector aims to create a balance between economic, social and environmental needs. This means promoting environmentally-friendly and socially equitable economic growth, while preserving natural and cultural resources.

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What is corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the tourism context?

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in tourism refers to the practices adopted by companies to manage their impact on society and the environment. This can include initiatives such as supporting local communities, adopting environmentally-friendly policies and ensuring fair working conditions.

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the tourism sector also includes efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of tourism-related activities. This can be achieved by adopting renewable energy sources, reducing water consumption and implementing recycling programs. Companies can also invest in clean, sustainable technologies to increase the energy efficiency of their operations.

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Promoting sustainable tourism is another essential aspect of CSR. This involves designing tourism experiences that respect the culture and environment of the places visited, while supporting the local economy. This can include working with local guides, supporting local businesses and respecting local customs.

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Educating and raising employee awareness of the fundamentals of CSR is just as crucial. Companies are in a position to offer training courses highlighting the importance of sustainability, eco-responsible methods and workers' rights. This is likely to contribute to the establishment of a corporate culture that prioritizes social and ecological responsibility.

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Finally, transparency and communication play a key role in the implementation of CSR. It is imperative for companies to transparently share their CSR policies and initiatives with customers, staff and the general public. This builds trust and encourages other companies to adopt similar approaches.