Sustainable Tourism Trends: The future of travel

In recent years, sustainable tourism has been gaining more and more prominence. With a growing number of conscious travellers looking for experiences that not only enrich their lives, but also benefit the environment and local communities, the industry is changing to offer more responsible and balanced options. The aim is to allow us to explore new destinations without jeopardising the future of our planet. In this article, we'll explore some of the main sustainable tourism trends that are transforming the way we travel.

1. Regenerative Tourism: Restore to Protect
Regenerative tourism goes beyond the idea of simply minimising the negative impact of travel. It actually seeks to restore and improve local ecosystems and communities. Rather than just conserving, this trend focuses on recovering degraded areas, supporting biodiversity and promoting ecological recovery initiatives. Examples of this type of tourism include visiting national parks that are being restored or even taking part in environmental volunteering projects, where tourists actively help to preserve the environment by taking part in various reforestation actions and protecting native species.

2. Low Carbon Travel: Less Emissions, More Comfort
Concern about climate change has led many tourists to opt for more sustainable means of transport. Instead of travelling by plane, there is a growing preference for trains, buses or even bicycles. Even car journeys are being replaced by bus journeys, which have less impact on the planet, are cheaper and more comfortable. This trend has led destinations to invest in green infrastructure, such as charging stations for electric cars and efficient public transport options powered by renewable energies.

3. Local Tourism: A More Personal and Authentic Journey
The pandemic has changed the way we travel, leading us to travel and discover our own country, and many people have come to value local tourism more. The demand for less explored destinations is growing, not only as an experience of personal enrichment, but also as a benefit for the environment and local communities. Instead of big, over-saturated tourist destinations, holidaymakers are opting for more authentic and immersive experiences. Tours led by locals, cultural workshops, local gastronomic experiences and nature walks are just some of the activities that allow tourists to live a genuine experience while supporting the local economy. This trend also helps to distribute the flow of tourists more evenly, relieving pressure on the most popular destinations.

4 Sustainable Accommodation: The Choice of the Future
The choice of accommodation is also changing. Many hotels and accommodations are adopting more sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy, reducing waste, using local products that support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint, reducing plastic and single-use packaging, and favouring natural and recycled products. We also work to obtain environmental certifications, which help to implement better sustainable practices, optimising resources and reducing costs.

5. Wellness Tourism: Travelling for Body and Mind
The demand for wellness has fuelled a new wave of health tourism. Many people are looking for experiences that help balance body and mind, such as yoga retreats or health tourism in spas. These destinations are often linked to nature and holistic wellbeing, promoting a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, as well as healthy eating and physical exercise. In addition, this type of tourism is often aligned with sustainable practices, as the idea is to respect the environment and local communities while taking care of yourself.

6. Adventure Tourism: Nature as a Stage
Adventure seekers are increasingly looking for options that respect nature. Activities such as walking, cycling or running trails, nautical activities on rivers and reservoirs are on the rise, allowing holidaymakers to explore nature in a sustainable way. Many destinations are investing in environmental education, teaching travellers about the importance of conserving ecosystems and ensuring that activities have as little impact on the environment as possible.

7. Technology in Favour of Sustainable Tourism
Technology plays a key role in sustainable tourism trends. Travel apps are helping holidaymakers make more conscious decisions, from choosing greener means of transport to environmentally friendly accommodation. In addition, technology can be used to monitor and reduce carbon footprints, offering solutions to make travelling even greener and more responsible.

8. Local and Organic Food: Flavours that Respect the Planet
Local and organic food is gaining more and more fans. For many tourists, it is an essential part of the travel experience to discover new flavours and get to know what is particular to each destination. Opting for local and organic products not only enriches the trip, but also contributes to the sustainability of the region visited, helping to support local farmers and promote responsible agricultural practices.

9. Decentralised Tourism: Less Pressure on Popular Destinations
Decentralised tourism is on the rise, with many tourists seeking destinations outside the big cities and well-known beaches, where time seems to pass more slowly and it is possible to slow down and relax. This trend helps to relieve the pressure on saturated destinations and contributes to job creation in inland areas where labour opportunities are fewer. What's more, by visiting less explored places, tourists can live unique and authentic experiences, while helping to boost the local economy.

10. Preparing for Sustainable Travel: More Time, More Gratification
Sustainable travel requires more time to prepare. The conscientious traveller needs to gather information, research and carefully select their choices. Although this process takes longer, the reward is a much more rewarding trip, with unique and impactful experiences that not only enrich the traveller's life, but also respect and protect the places they visit.

Sustainable tourism is growing and changing the way we think about travelling. From regenerative tourism to the use of green technologies, the options for those who want to travel responsibly and consciously are becoming increasingly varied. By following these trends, we can not only explore the world, but also ensure that it remains beautiful and healthy for generations to come. And our choice, the tourist's choice, can make a difference.