Importance of Sustainable Travel and Being Responsible Travellers (Why the World Needs It)

After travelling to many parts of the world, and studying sustainable tourism at university, something I have come to realise is that in many destinations, tourism operates as a trade-off.  

On the one hand, when controlled carefully, tourism can act as a primary economic driver, transforming communities through job creation, improved infrastructure and generating funds to preserve a destination's unique natural and cultural heritage. On the other hand, unchecked or unethical tourism can seriously harm the environment and local people, by causing environmental destruction, turning sacred cultural traditions into commodities and/or causing problems associated with overtourism such as a collapse of infrastructure, overcrowding, overconsumption of vital resources like water, increased noise and litter pollution and hostility between tourists and the local people.

How Can Children’s Books Inspire Sustainable Tourism and Change the Way We Travel?

Responsible Travel Teaches Global Citizenship 

Travelling responsibly gives children the ultimate gift of global awareness, showing them how the entire world operates environmentally, socially, culturally and economically, therefore helping them to recognise how their local actions can have wider, global impacts. Also, travelling and experiencing different cultures, beliefs and ethnicities teaches children how to respect, embrace and celebrate our diversity without judgement, all the while witnessing extreme poverty and inequalities first-hand teaches them social responsibility, inspiring them to make a difference.

Travel Planning and Behaviour Influence 

When a child follows a character embarking on an exciting adventure, along the way discovering ways to help the environment and local communities, they immediately want to recreate that experience. This leads to the child influencing the adults' pre-trip planning decisions, for example asking “can we stay at a real-life eco-lodge?”, as well as influencing their mid-trip travel decisions, for example suggesting to do a beach clean-up, asking to attend a special cultural festival or eat a specific traditional meal. Children can also be great rule enforcers such as telling an adult to turn the AC off when leaving the room, or how to behave at cultural heritage sites. This influence leads to the whole family travelling more responsibly.

Translation to Everyday Life 

Important lessons such as environmental kindness, supporting locals and respecting other cultures don't just stay on the trip, they come home with the family and can translate into everyday life. This results in positive behaviours such as protecting local parks and wildlife, conserving precious resources such as water and energy, recycling, supporting local businesses, respecting other people's beliefs and traditions and celebrating diversity. This behavioural change creates a powerful, wider ripple effect extending to friends, extended family and communities.

If you’re looking for a children’s book about sustainability and responsible travel, Remy and the Great Alpine Adventure is officially available to order. Grab your copy today, and watch as the whole family becomes global citizens and responsible travellers!