What is Sustainable Travel and why we are not there-Part 1 Ethics

A question arose why is travel not sustainable outside the carbon footprint of flying? Is it not important to broaden cultural understanding by traveling and meeting new people? On the surface that seems like a beautiful notion, however like biofuels there are underlying flaws with the modern travel industry.
Let's look at what constitutes 'the industry':

• Accommodations/Lodging
• Attractions
• Shopping/Retail
• Corporate Travel/ Meetings/ Conventions
• Cruise Lines
• Restaurants
• Ski Resorts
• Airlines
• Rental Cars
• Recreation Vehicles
• Travel Agents/Tour Operators
• Transportation.

With that list you drill down to baseline sustainability issues:

• Energy
• Lighting
• Water
• Hazardous Materials
• Waste Management
• Social Justice.

Here you begin to see how you travel creates a very large footprint covering the spectrum from carbon, social, economic and environmental impacts. Let's first focus and shine the light on the modern 'all inclusive resort' and ethics and impacts that they create.

If you have ever traveled to a place where these resorts exist, one could draw the conclusion that they offer the traveler a bargain by bundling all the services one could ever want from their once a year vacation. Albania last year had a different take on Club Med's proposal to build a resort. The villagers disputed the property rights and proposal which pitted them against the Club Med Corporation and government officials. The lopsided nature of this battle is all too common in the name of development and the promise of jobs versus the degradation of the people and landscape to conform to the international hotel norm.

From Phuket, Thailand to Cancun, Mexico as well as our own back yard, none of the industries associated with travel generate high wages jobs which is typical for the service sector. The inclusive resorts take it one step further by insulating traveler from the country they traveled to. In 2006 a large group of concerned travel professionals, academics and activists wrote 'The 2006 Responsible Travel Handbook' and set down these ideals for resorts:

• They generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of host communities and they improve working conditions and access to the industry;
• involve local people in decisions that affect their lives and life
  chances;
• make positive contributions to the conservation of natural andcultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
• provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social, and environmental issues;
• minimize negative economic, environmental, and social impacts;
• and are culturally sensitive, engender respect between tourists and hosts, and build local pride and confidence.

This speaks to the issues created and suggested remedies. Have you traveled outside the country? Did you go to a resort? Did you make your own travel plans? Did you stay in locally owned hotels? These are the ethical conundrums when you travel and want to make a positive impact on the community you visit. One of my favorite travel writers, Pico Iyer said it best,

• “I take very seriously the sense of our living these days in a global neighborhood. And the first sensible thing to do in such circumstances, as well as one of the most rewarding things, is to go and meet the neighbors, find out who they are, and what they think and feel. So travel for me is an act of discovery and of responsibility as well as a grand adventure and a constant liberation.”

Next up, what it takes to plan a positive impact vacation without giving up fun and relaxation.