By Federica Acclavio
Regenerative and responsible travel. Or slow and sustainable travel.
What is the meaning behind these phrases? On the surface, they attract; they make you exclaim‘WOW’, but then, in essence, do you travel responsibly, regeneratively, slowly and sustainably?
For many‘classic travellers’—it is correct to call them tourists—they are trends. Once ridden, they end up in oblivion, only to return cyclically like fashion. For marketing and advertising, they are pure sales.
Booking.com’s 2024 report speaks volumes. The research reveals that although 83% of travellers confirm the importance of sustainable travel, new insights show that a sense of fatigue may emerge globally, fuelled by the ongoing challenges travellers face in making more sustainable travel choices. 28% believe that travelling more sustainably is essential but not a primary consideration when planning or booking a trip. 28% of travellers even say they are tired of constantly hearing about climate change.
New research areas reveal that some travellers do not recognise the importance of being more aware of their impact. Some 33% believe that the damage already done to the environment is irreversible, and 34% consider it pointless to be sustainable in destinations that do not prioritise sustainability. Furthermore, 25% do not believe climate change is as bad as described, and 28% believe that time spent travelling is too valuable to put sustainability at the top of their priority list.
Lie or reality?
I also question myself. Until now, I have travelled two-dimensionally. I used to go on holiday to get away from everyday life, and like everyone else, I used to indulge in ‘vices’ that are difficult to indulge in during everyday life.
In the last five years – since COVID-19 and the dilated times of the pandemic – needs emerged that I tended to stifle. I wanted to distance myself from my comfort zone and search for who I was away from home in another place. Initially, I would take and leave on my own to be a tourist, but I felt it was not enough; I was not satisfied; I could not quench my desires because I had nothing left of that holiday. They were lies I told myself to feed my ego and post pictures on Instagram.
Ever since I was a child, I have watched sustainability-related programmes. I was attracted by the presenters’ experiences of confronting and interfacing with the local people. They lived there, and you could feel it through the television.
After thirty-one years as an ethical travel journalist, I now advocate regenerative, responsible, and slow travel.
Let us analyse the adjectives
Responsible. a person who takes responsibility and is accountable for his actions. Actively moving to do something in a positive connotation. Regenerative. A feel-good action towards yourself, a feeling of rebirth and renewal. Slow. Well, who wouldn’t want a slow life? Raise your hand. I don’t see anyone. Wake up without anxiety, start work at 9 a.m. and finish at 5 p.m., and maybe only work a few hours in the morning on Fridays. We need time to practise our passions, engage in volunteering, follow skin-care routines, not be overwhelmed by e-mails, phone calls, and messages even late in the evening, and lead the life we have set for ourselves at our own pace.
Sustainable. Overused term, how many times a day do you hear this word uttered? Honestly, many times, it is a utopia for the whole world. Saving the world – have we not killed it day after day? Adjectives’ in the context of tourism Responsible, regenerative, slow and sustainable tourism is a way of thinking, a mindset.
Although many tourist destinations, operators in the tourism chain and the World Tourism Organisation are actively moving to take action and make their contribution, we will never achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals endorsed by UN governments by 2030.
They cover a wide range of topics, a global commitment to be implemented by all countries, regardless of their level of development. But dear readers, making a difference is up to everyone. I want to propose a challenge to you: Each of us—as individuals and travellers—has to contribute to the place where we live, travel, study, or work. I will explain how to do this.
Let us put sustainability aside; it is a big commitment that can sometimes be frustrating, as it seems we hardly ever get the result. Let us, therefore, focus on the following:
- Responsible travel → actively participate in the change you want, and be accountable for your actions. Walk more, cycle more, and ask yourself whether it is necessary to travel by car or whether you can take public transport. Don’t leave traces as you pass by, such as not littering, sorting your rubbish, buying second-hand items and repairing broken ones instead of buying new ones. Instead of switching on the light, ask yourself if you can stay by candlelight; your mind will thank you. Another essential action is to reduce food waste; 50% occurs within our homes; did you know that?
- Regenerative journey → indulge the need for self-observation and self-listening as we live in increasingly chaotic and overstimulating contexts to dive into cultures different from yours, with other rhythms, conventions, and flavours. Make a mindset change, and move with a motivation and a purpose. Once you have improved your quality of life, you will also benefit from the lives of others – the people who welcome you on this journey – and you will feel a sense of community.
This article is part of the practical work carried out by the students of the Master’s in Travel Journalism.
