Teaching Children Responsible Travel: Why We Chose the Tirol Mountains

There's no better feeling than escaping to the mountains for a breath of fresh air, renewed peace and a chance to slow down. But as more of us head for our favorite mountain getaways, and they start to feel the strain, it’s important that we spare a moment to consider the pressure put on these destinations by increased tourism and intense seasonal overcrowding. Because they are geographically isolated and have unique cultural heritage, mountain destinations can be quite vulnerable to the negative impacts of unchecked tourism. According to the JK Policy Institute (2022), sustainable tourism is highly important for mountain destinations because their main draws, like clean air, diverse landscapes, unique cultural heritage and rich biodiversity, are increasingly under threat. 

Overtourism

While tourism can be a profound force of good, negative impacts occur when the number of visitors overwhelms the destination's ability to cope (JK Policy Institute, 2022). Overtourism refers to the number of visitors exceeding a destination's carrying capacity, leading to harm to the environment, local communities and the local economy. This can occur either at one time, or from pressure building over the course of a season or year. Oftentimes, damage happens faster than the destination’s ability to recover. According to Sustainable Travel International (2025), too many visitors to a destination can lead to negative impacts such as environmental degradation, strained infrastructure, reduced quality of life for local communities and a negative visitor experience, which ultimately damages a destination’s long-term appeal.

What can we do to help prevent overtourism? 

In Remy and the Great Alpine Adventure, Remy travels to Tirol outside of the peak season, demonstrating one of the most effective ways to combat overtourism. By choosing to stay in a lesser-known village, he directly helps reduce crowd sizes and eases the heavy demand on resources like water and electricity in major tourist hotspots, while distributing economic benefits to the area. This improves life for everyone, whether they live in a busy tourist town or a quieter village. 

Preserving Unique Cultural Heritage 

Cultural heritage in mountain destinations is particularly vulnerable to tourism impacts, primarily through the commercialisation of cultural heritage that can erode traditional practices, leading to a loss of community identity (Mitra and Paul, 2025). 

So, how can we as tourists help to preserve cultural heritage at our destinations? We can start by following Remy’s example by choosing to:

• Stay in family-run guesthouses and eco-lodges.

• Eat traditional dishes that follow farm-to-table traditions.

• Support local artisans by purchasing handmade products rather than imported souvenirs.

• Integrate with the local community by joining community-organised events.

• Attend special cultural festivals and events to help keep traditions alive for future generations. 

Protecting Native Flora and Fauna 

With thin soil layers, slow growth of plant life and wildlife habitats that can become easily disrupted, mountain environments are among the most fragile ecosystems on Earth (Alpine Escape, 2026). Because these sites are exposed to overcrowding and nature-based activities, their ecological habitats are at risk of becoming fragmented or destroyed, and their reproduction phases disturbed (Interreg Alpine Space Programme, 2026). While outdoor recreation in mountain destinations can dramatically boost the local economy and foster an appreciation for nature, it can also put unsustainable pressure on these fragile habitats (Alpine Escape, 2026). But, with shared responsibility for protection, tourism and environmental stewardship can co-exist in a way that balances conservation and recreation (Alpine Escape, 2026).

To protect local wildlife on your next mountain trip, follow these guidelines to minimise your environmental impact: 

• Stay on marked trails when hiking.
• Stay on-piste when engaging in snow sports.
• Observe wildlife from afar and don't approach or feed wild animals. 
• Keeps dogs on leads to prevent them from disrupting wildlife. 
• Dispose of waste responsibly, and perhaps follow Remy’s example by joining a mountain clean-up event.
• Choose low-impact, human-powered watersports like canoeing, stand-up paddle, windsurfing and wild swimming. Remy had a fantastic time trying out canoeing for the very first time with his mum when he visited Lake Achensee in Remy and the Great Alpine Adventure! 

Inspiring the Next Generation of Responsible Explorers 

When we escape to the mountains, many of us are so caught up in the stunning beauty and exciting adventures right on our doorstep that we rarely stop to consider the footprint we leave behind and our impact on these fragile destinations. This makes it even more important that we learn to tread lightly, not only leaving no trace, but actively giving back and making a positive impact on the destinations we visit. 

Educating children on the principles of responsible tourism can drive positive behavioral change within the entire family. Children significantly influence adult decision-making both prior to and during travel, and they frequently act as effective enforcers of sustainable rules. Through children's books about sustainable tourism that promote responsible travel behaviours, families can achieve a richer, more meaningful travel experience that respects local communities and preserves the unique, magnificent natural environments that make these destinations so precious. The sustainable behaviors practiced at the destination can later be integrated at home, translating temporary travel habits into everyday lifestyle choices, positively impacting the planet and our future. 

The Inspiration Behind Our Alpine Setting 

When I started writing my first children’s book, I knew exactly where the story had to be set. For me, there is nowhere else on earth like Tirol, Austria. For a long time, I thought the winter magic there couldn't be matched. I’ve always loved the experience of getting wrapped up in cosy clothes, the crisp Alpine air turning my nose pink, the chocolate-box buildings dotted on the mountainside and sipping hot chocolate in the middle of a bustling mountain town. It’s a place where everyone is in high spirits, pursuing their passions and you just feel completely disconnected from the rest of the world. But when I drove through Tirol on a summer road trip, I realised it was a destination that truly has so much to offer year-round and it completely reinforced my love for Austria and its landscapes. Holding my son, Remy, when he was just a newborn, I found myself dreaming of the day I could finally take him there to experience it together, and this was a big inspiration for writing Remy and the Great Alpine Adventure. 

Aside from my personal connection to the country, Austrians are highly passionate about protecting their unique natural and cultural heritage. According to the European Environment Agency (2025), Austria excels at organic farming and implementing renewable energy, which are two key themes I chose to highlight in my story. Additionally, 29% of Austria’s land is designated as a protected area, which underscores their strong commitment to biodiversity conservation (EEA, 2025). I wanted to showcase this dedication by portraying my main character, Remy, learning the core principles of sustainability and responsible travel directly from the local people. I can only hope that I did them justice.

Want to teach your child to explore responsibly and protect the places they love? Join Remy in the Austrian Alps and grab your copy of Remy and the Great Alpine Adventure today!