Philadelphia’s Sustainable Tourism Panel
Philadelphia’s Travel Massive celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27 by inviting several organizations to discuss how travel professionals as well as consumers can travel more sustainably. Together, the group discussed travel alternatives such as educational programs, volunteer holidays and how slight changes in our travel habits can impact local communities abroad.
Here is what we learned from our panel about how to travel more sustainably.
Be wary of “green washing”. “Green washing” is when a company uses the terms “eco-friendly” or “sustainable” for marketing purposes without implementing any green practices or being accredited by a reliable organization. A little bit of research ahead of time can guarantee that the local company you are supporting is actually sustainable.
Volunteering abroad and working holidays are important and do positively impact communities, but for it to make a more permanent impact, education and consistent follow-ups are necessary. Geneva Global shared the story of an organization that brought mosquito nets to a village in Africa. After handing out the nets, the volunteers left without explaining what the nets were for. After a few months, the organization wanted to record the impact of the mosquito net program only to find that locals were using the nets for everything but mosquitoes, rather, they used the nets to meet other needs within the community! Some made dresses, others were using the nets for fishing, and some didn’t even open the package. Though the nets met different needs of the community, a bit of researching ahead of time, educating and consistently communicating with locals would have more of a lasting impact.
Immerse yourself. Traveling a little outside of the touristy areas or making it a point to stay at a local hotel or dine where the locals eat can not only impact the local community, but it will change your travel experience immensely!
Kae Lani Kennedy is the co-Founder of Philadelphia Travel Massive. When she’s not organizing events in her hometown she is traveling and writing for her blog A Travel Broad.
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