So what is sustainable tourism? Sustainable travel is about giving back. It's about traveling light and leaving no trace. It's about cultural interchange, about learning every step of the way, and about having a positive impact on the culture, people and environment that surround you. Sustainable travel is about being both a student and a teacher. And, like all travel, it is about having fun!

 

National Geographic uses a similar definition in what they have branded as GeoTourism, which is “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.”

 

And the stakes are high these days. For one, more people are traveling …. What a great thing that is. But, it’s also having some serious affects on the environment. In my area of specialty, Latin America, most countries are seeing up to 10% annual growth in visitation numbers. That means more people are hopping on planes, and creating broader carbon footprints. More people are trammeling through the rainforest and diving along sensitive reefs. More people are flooding towns and overcrowding roads.