Sustainable travel should replace mass travel for a greener future

The tourism industry is set to reach pre-pandemic heights in 2024, which is great news for businesses and those who work within the sector. However, the news is not so good when it comes to the environment. Accounting for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the tourism sector is exacerbating climate change. Additionally, cheaper flights and ease of travel mean that mass tourism is placing undue pressure on local ecosystems and communities.

Mass tourism, also known as over-tourism, is referred to as “the movement of a large number of organized tourists to popular holiday destinations for recreational purposes”. Often associated with the traditional holiday package, it describes the use of standardized travel products and mass consumption that is typically associated with other sectors, such as the fashion industry. Despite the relatively minor impact of tourists on an individual level, when it comes to mass tourism it is the sheer volume of visitors in popular…