Treading Lightly
There is no doubt that travelling and exploring new places is good—good for self-development, good for international understanding, good for local economies. But as mass tourism exploded in a pre-COVID19-shutdown world, it became obvious that tourism as an industry has some downsides, too. Overcrowded tourist sites, wrecked environments and angry, inconvenienced local residents are obvious scars of tourism run amok. As restrictions ease now and travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, and awareness rises about the importance of sustainability in all aspects of development, it’s worth looking at the ways adventure travel, including walking and cycling tours, supports the three pillars of sustainable tourism: economic development, social development and nature protection.
1. Getting off the beaten track
Active, adventurous travel by definition hits the road less travelled. It may take in some monuments, but the emphasis is on the countryside and the natural landscape, and treating that environment with care and respect. It is less about traditional sightseeing and much more about getting out and exploring a bigger world, thereby taking pressure off of over-run tourist hotspots. Terracotta Journeys makes a concerted effort to take their guests away from the crowds and offer a more authentic experience of Portugal and Spain.
2. Small is beautiful
Adventure tourism lends itself to small groups that can move more quietly and gently in the world, creating less disruption for residents trying to go about their daily lives. Terracotta Journeys keeps their groups limited to 14 guests, so as not to overrun the trails and so that everyone can get to know each other well and become friends by the end of the trip.
3. Supporting small local businesses
Traveling in small groups and moving away from touristic centers also means dispersing tourist spending out into less developed areas and to smaller, locally owned and operated businesses that can really benefit from that income. This promotes economic success and a wider distribution of the benefits of welcoming visitors to the country, an absolutely essential element of sustainable development. At Terracotta Journeys it gives us pleasure to bring our guests to lesser known places and help promote and revitalize regions where the young people often flee to the cities in search of work.
4. Interacting with locals
At the same time, tourism based on smaller groups and cultivating an appreciation of cultural heritage rather than just ramming through the guidebook must-sees creates opportunities for authentic encounters with the host community. These interactions are at the heart of what makes travel an incredibly valuable learning experience; it’s a chance to really see and hear first-hand what might be an entirely different way of doing things or thinking about the world. Every Terracotta Journeys trip encourages these cross-cultural dealings and our excellent multilingual guides are an important part of creating this bridge.
5. Preservation of habitats and biodiversity
Appreciating the natural environment of a place is part and parcel of an active, adventurous holiday. It is to be devoutly hoped that promotion and growth of this type of tourism will create incentive to preserve and protect these environments in order to sustain this income stream. By visiting the natural wonders of Portugal and Spain, Terracotta Journeys is highlighting the value of these areas and hopes this foments interest in preservation of them as well.
The pandemic travel shutdown gave a sudden and perhaps needed break to really see the effect of tourism on some of the most popular destinations around the world. This industry is vitally important to individuals, societies and economies, no doubt. It can at the same time be quite damaging. How we choose to spend our travel budgets and how we choose to move through and interact with the world as we explore it has enormous impact. The good news is that it is absolutely possible to make responsible choices that also result in a more fulfilling and exciting experience.
Visit Portugal and Spain with Terracotta Journeys.
By Holly Blades