Perspectives

Oneskee

Responsible tourism: Not a one-hit wonder pop song

Listen up gang, responsible tourism is back. It’s not a Gangnam style one hit wonder jukebox joint! Did it ever cross your mind about how your epic vacay might be messing up someone else’s backyard? Ever thought of responsible tourism? We’re only human at the end of the day. Certain things might slip our minds especially when we’re excited because we’re on holiday. Similarly, brands might get too distracted by being a bussin’ brand that they forget the shared responsibility to our environment. Let me be that big bro you never had (or have but need a cooler one) and remind you that we need to consider other details when it comes to travelling. That’s where responsible tourism comes in, and it’s about to be your new travel buddy. Cuz believe it or not, that nifty tool in your pocket (and the social apps) can play a part!

So, what’s the big deal with responsible tourism?

Well, imagine if your favourite coffee shop suddenly got overrun by a horde of selfie-stick-wielding tourists every day. Your go-to workout route overpopulated with influencers in the wild trying to get that perfect picture for cloud chasing purposes. Or even worse, the beach spot you go to always to zen out and escape life’s stress only to find out its littered with trash everywhere. Zero thought for responsible tourism! That’s kinda whack, right? Well, that’s exactly what’s happening to some of the world’s hottest destinations, and it’s time we got up and got “woke” about it.

There’s an art to responsible tourism

Responsible tourism is blowing up, especially after the whole global health crisis. According to an American Express Travel report, us Gen Z and Millennial travelers are all about those eco-conscious holidays. We’re not just talking the talk – we’re walking the walk by packing lighter, cutting our carbon footprints, and even going off-grid for our getaways. Brands would do well to vibe with these concerns if they want to appeal to Gen Zs and Millennials. During travel planning with my girlfriend, we would always bring up the most remote places (all about that island lifestyle), eat at the most random local spots, and support the small street shops that sell hand crafted goods for memorabilia!

Let’s talk crises, fam

Example 1: Hanoi’s Street Train

How about we sip some coffee by the train tracks in between a narrow space. Sounds like a tragedy bound to happen. Hanoi’s ‘street train’ popularity rose and many locals were able to open up business there to make a living. What used to be known as a rough area was booming with life. However, on October 2019, due to some ‘người nước bạn'(Vietnam’s word for gaijin) blocking the way of the train and refusing to move, caused a major disturbance, resulting in the closure of multiple businesses due to shedding light on the regulation violations. – all for the perfect ‘gram? I think not. Talk about no regards to responsible tourism!

Example 2: Spain’s Water Squirting Crisis

Spain’s been dealing with some major tourist drama lately. Picture this: You’re chilling in Barcelona, trying to snap that perfect Insta pic, when suddenly – splash! You’ve been squirted with water by angry locals. Yep, that’s a real thing. Some residents are so fed up with tourists overrunning their city that they’re literally hosing them down. Talk about a wet blanket on your vacay vibes! This is what happens when over tourism happens. Entrepreneurs sees the opportunity and buys out property to flip for profit but ended up driving housing prices up to a point where even locals can not even afford it. But wait, there’s more! Japan’s been having its own tourism meltdown.

Example 3: Damn son at (Mount Fuji) Lawson

Remember that iconic shot of Mount Fuji behind a Lawson convenience store? Well, say sayonara to that view. Japanese authorities are putting up a giant mesh screen to block it because tourists have been going absolutely bonkers trying to get the perfect shot. We’re talking people climbing on roofs, ignoring traffic rules, and generally being a pain in the local’s onigiri. Not cool, guys. It got so bad that the famed UNESCO World Heritage needs to cap the number of visitors to this spot. This can all be avoided if we are educated a thing or two about responsible tourism! Perhaps, we should start with the young ones in school? Show more ads on this to help shed some light on this seemingly small issue?

Example 4: Not so ‘Koh-rrecct’ island code of conduct!

Let’s not forget about our sunny islands around Asia like Koh Khai Nok, Koh Khai Nui, Koh Tachai, and Koh Khai Nai. What’s known for the beautiful beaches and amazing reefs has now been officially closed to over tourism. Beaches being used as a gigantic litter. Coral reefs destroyed due to the disturbance overpopulation created. While it’s great to sell that lifestyle of hanging by beaches, sipping on a cold one with friends, brands should also remind their consumers to not only drink responsibly but also enjoy responsibly. Personally, I love the beach and its eco-system, it saddens me we are banned from these places due to the inconsideration of others! We can only hope that the islands can be reborn, brimming with life and able to flex it’s beauty after this ban.

So, what are we to do?

Both brand and consumers need to work together to preserve our environment for future generations. Here’s how tourists can make a positive difference through responsible tourism:

  1. Respect the locals, yo! Remember, you’re a guest in their hood.
  2. Learn a few words in the local lingo. It goes a long way, trust.
  3. Support local businesses instead of big chains. Spread that buck!
  4. Be mindful of your environmental impact. Mother Earth is watching.
  5. Don’t geotag every single spot on social media. We still need to gate keep some spots.

What about brands? How can they get involved?

Brands and marketers can definitely help with minimizing the impact of over tourism. Here are some gems for those who want to start to get down with this movement.

Get down with your community

Educate and Engage: Brands can educate both visitors and local communities about the importance of responsible tourism. This includes promoting sustainability and fostering a culture of environmental safekeeping and advocacy for sustainable practices.

Step up, stand out

Stand out with unique offerings: Develop a clear, well-defined sustainable brand that differentiates the destination from competitors. Brands should loudly and proudly champion what they stand for in terms of sustainability. This can attract travelers who prioritize responsible and eco-conscious travel options.

Let’s be real fam

Transparency and ethical practices: Build a strong sustainable brand on transparency and ethical practices. This cultivates trust among travelers, who are more likely to choose a destination they view as genuinely committed to sustainability.

Support your homies

Social and economic benefits: Partner with local businesses and ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared equally with local communities. This can include job creation, revenue generation, and investment in sustainable infrastructure or travel choices.

Wrapping things up responsibly

In conclusion, fam, responsible tourism isn’t just one hit wonder rap song – it’s the key to keeping our planet’s dopest spots safe and un-harmed. It’s also a tango between brands and consumers, because we all need to play a part in protecting this wonderful playground that we jam in. By being mindful travelers, we can make sure that the places we love will still be there for future generations to enjoy. By responsible brands taking the lead, travelers are educated and reminded to enjoy responsibly. Words to my mum, you’ll get major street cred with your squad. So next time you’re planning that epic getaway, remember: travel like a boss, not like a jerk. Your Instagram feed (and the locals) will thank you!