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
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
