Despite the global health and economic disaster that Covid-19 has brought us there as some glimmers of hope arising from the ashes. We have seen cleaner air, wildlife return to places we thought it was impossible and an increase in value for local communities. In lots of places the earth seems to be healing from the damage we cause. Does this mean that the earth has just had some brief, but well needed rest bite and on the return to ‘normal’ business after lockdowns finish and the virus is no longer a threat? Or can we dare to imagine that British tourism can be rebuilt more sustainably and become a more environmentally, and socially positive industry that was deemed impossible before?
Here are a fews ways tourism could become more sustainable after Covid-19:
- The public will to create a brighter future is high. Only 9% of British people want to return to ‘normal’ life before Covid-19, with many citing these reasons in a recent YouGov poll. In the UK city centers are already changing to prioritise walkers and cyclists. This means that people will be more open to sustainable lifestyles and therefore travel options. If you want to be a more sustainable traveller, check out some of my tips.
- Crowded tourist destinations may be the thing of the past as social distancing may become the new normal. This could have the potential to mitigate associated problems and increase spending. Check our reThinking Tourism Youtube if you’d like to see a really great video on this concept.
- Local and domestic travel are going to be the next top destinations. Governments are talking about ‘travel bubbles’, corridors and tourism safe zones where travel from and to low risk local countries will be allowed. Travelling close to homes reduces the emissions of long haul flights or could reduce the need for flying altogether.
- Cruise ships are notorious for spreading illness quickly due to the close proximity of passengers and shared food and water supply. They are also big polluters and create over tourism, so cruises becoming less may be good for destinations and the environment.
