The Cook Islands opened quarantine-free travel with New Zealand. On the one hand, this news created excitement as tourism will bring income to both nations. On the other hand, there are concerns about the sustainability of tourism as neither country wants a return to mass tourism.
Investment in sustainable aviation fuel and alternatively powered aircraft are the next steps for airlines and meaningful partnerships are key to making these concepts a reality. If airlines don’t do more to tackle their emissions, they risk their passengers choosing more environmentally friendly options such as rail travel.
Tourists often perceive Airbnb as having a relatively small environmental footprint compared with other forms of holiday accommodation. However, a recent study looked at the carbon dioxide emissions of Airbnbs per room per night and found out that the emissions are similar to other types of accommodation.
For anyone confused about the difference between sustainable tourism and regenerative tourism, PhD candidate Loretta Bellato offers answers to questions that she is frequently asked. She suggests regenerative tourism is a holistic way of thinking and a transformational approach with deep roots within regenerative development.
Until community spread is low in tourism-dependent destinations, there is still danger there for all involved. Currently, vaccinations are severely lagging at a global level, particularly in low to middle-income nations. The tourism industry needs to get past the “vaccine tourism” headlines and stand up for the root problem that could decimate the industry all over again: vaccine equity.
