What does sustainable tourism mean to you, and why is it important in today’s travel landscape?
Sustainable tourism is a multi-faceted concept with one goal in mind – being responsible. It takes into consideration the economic, social, historical, and environmental impacts of tourism, and ensures long-term benefits for both the visitor and the destination. It’s all about preservation, education, respect and celebration.
Can you share an example of a memorable eco-friendly travel experience you’ve had in Ontario?
Long Point Eco-Adventures in Turkey Point definitely stands out. The accommodations are eco-conscious and have little impact on the environment (the ‘wildnerness pods’ and ‘safari tents’ are my personal favourites) and they offer a great deal of programs and activities on site for visitors to learn about the land. Some of these programs are ziplining through the Carolinian forest, mushroom foraging with a guide, observatory tours and kayaking. It’s a fun, memorable and highly responsible tourist attraction that I return to every summer.
How do you research and choose sustainable accommodations or tour operators when planning a trip?
As a full-time travel writer and content creator, I receive partnership requests daily from attractions and accommodations all over Ontario. Because I have such a large platform on Explore Ontario, it’s my responsibility to only agree to partnerships, campaigns and projects that align with my values and goals of local tourism and sustainable travel. I research every prospective partner to see if they are committed to supporting initiatives that better their communities and the environment, and what steps they have taken (or are taking) to make this happen.
What are some small but impactful actions travellers can take to reduce their environmental footprint while exploring Ontario?
Follow the rules – they’re there for a reason! Don’t fly your drones in provincial parks (it’s illegal without a permit), only hike on marked trails, don’t ignore ‘no trespassing’ signs, clean up after yourself, and never litter. Respect the land, and respect other visitors.
Have you seen an increase in interest from your followers in responsible travel options? If so, what are they most curious about?
Definitely. I think our generation has a genuine interest and concern about issues like climate change and social issues than ever before, and that trickles down into how/where they travel and what businesses they choose to support.
In your opinion, what role does local culture and community play in sustainable tourism?
I think it plays a huge role! Sustainable tourism wouldn’t be able to exist without the respect and celebration of culture, heritage and community. And, the benefits of sustainable tourism of any destination should be shared fairly among all members of the host community, including local businesses, residents, and Indigenous communities.
Which Ontario destinations stand out to you for their commitment to sustainability or conservation efforts?
There are so many amazing organizations, tourism boards, programs, businesses and initiatives in Ontario that focus solely on sustainable and eco-friendly travel and tourism. One program that stands out is the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Certification. GreenStep provides assessments, consulting, training, certifications, and stakeholder engagement programs and helps tourism destinations and businesses measure and improve their sustainability performance.
In northern Ontario, organizations like Thrive Tours offer immersive experiences in Indigenous practices and philosophies, and promote sustainable tourism. The Niagara region also is a trailblazer in this realm with their World Biosphere Reserve that features hiking trails, the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, and the Butterfly Conservatory which all showcase sustainable exploration of nature.
The Ontario Heritage Trust is also doing amazing things with preserving geological sites so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come – like what they did with the Cheltenham Badlands by protecting its delicate ecosystem, while at the same time re-opening it to the public after years of closure.
