{"id":11148,"date":"2022-04-20T10:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T14:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=11148"},"modified":"2024-10-07T09:21:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T13:21:24","slug":"ecotourism-greenwashing-what-you-can-do-about-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/ecotourism-greenwashing-what-you-can-do-about-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Ecotourism Greenwashing and What You Can Do About It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s a growing \u201cgreenwashing\u201d issue in the ecotourism industry that hosts the potential to do more harm than annual spring breakers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the growing trend of ecotourism and sustainable travel come well-intended resorts and travelers with the mindset to enjoy the pleasures of the destination while looking to offset the negative impact<\/a> that travel inevitably has on our environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As any marketer will tell you, however, with any growing trend there is a potential to earn greater profit. Thus, greenwashing is increasing in the ecotourism industry among hotels and travel brands to capitalize on the category\u2019s growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Ecotourism?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to The International Ecotourism Society, the improvisatory definition of ecotourism means \u201cto travel in ways that preserve the environment and protect places for future generations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The objective of ecotourism is to minimize the impact brought about by tourism on the environment. Ecotourists aspire to travel sustainably<\/a> and educate themselves along the way. You can be both a traveler and an ecotourist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More often than not, both travelers and ecotourists visit destinations that will invest in their holistic health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Greenwashing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"greenwashing<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

According to an article in Business News Daily<\/em><\/a>, greenwashing is \u201cwhen a company purports to be environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but actually isn’t making any notable sustainability efforts.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business News Daily<\/em> further details that companies can greenwash even when they have good intentions. However, it all comes down to the output and actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a fictional example of greenwashing. Imagine you\u2019re under the influence when you\u2019re purchasing dairy-free milk from a store. It claims to have used organic sprouted nuts for pressing. Great intentions, good marketing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come to find out that the manufacturer isn\u2019t fully aware that the farmers are not selling him nuts that have been sourced organically. On top of this, the farmer’s manufacturing plant happens to be sprinkling a drip of cow milk in the containers. Even though the good intentions are there, you\u2019d probably feel a bit duped by the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, if you\u2019re sensitive to dairy, like myself, then you probably would have a stomachache to go along with it. Not a good combination. This can instantly destroy a customer\u2019s loyalty and brand identity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"plastic<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Greenwashing doesn\u2019t happen in just product marketing. It can happen across multiple different consumer categories, especially in the highly marketable tourism industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotels, tour operators, travel agents and tourism boards, to name a few, can all host potential entry points for inducing false claims for ecotourism and sustainability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claiming to do good for the ecosystem while actually not following through with it can do immense harm for both the environment and the industry at large. Further, with a lack of global standards in place, it\u2019s very difficult to define what is considered eco-conscious and to what level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, one hotel may boast to be eco-friendly, but simply remove plastic straws from their properties. Good first step. But how about the plastic cups, disposal of food, overuse of linens and pool towels, waste being washed into the oceans and pollution from on-site vehicles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without standards and regulations in place, sustainable actions are a very tricky cat to nail down into a corner. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, there are organizations such as the Global Standards for Sustainable Travel and Tourism<\/a> which hosts criteria to meet certain levels of sustainability in travel and certifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there are more articles than ever before raising a voice about ecotourism and travel tips to counter climate change. I question, though, who\u2019s actually regulating this? Or, enforcing? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With little funding, especially on an international level, it\u2019s a very hard claim and criteria to enforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Travelers Can Do About Greenwashing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\"greenwashing<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Be that as it may, not all is hopeless in the ecotourist world. One of the top recommendations is to get informed, do the educational work before booking, and don\u2019t take marketing at face value. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The choice is in your own hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top ecotourism tips for travelers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n