blogThe Three Pillars of Sustainable Tourism

“Our actions to meet our present needs should not compromise the ability of future generations to meet theirs” – Jill On Journey.

Sustainability around tourism is gaining much-needed traction, considering the harmful effects irresponsible travelling has on the climate. But what is sustainability in tourism, and what dimensions define this concept? Sustainable tourism is promoting responsible practices in the tourism industry. This undertaking involves finding balance in protecting the environment and addressing socio-cultural needs and economic interests.

What defines sustainable tourism are the three pillars that anchor the cause to encourage eco-tourism. These pillars are environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability (sometimes referred to as planet, people, and profits).

Let’s look at the three pillars in detail below: what they mean, what role they play and how you can get involved in playing your part in saving our planet.

Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability gets the most attention out of the three pillars. It is perhaps the most talked about, with worldwide campaigns championing the cause to save the planet. According to a booking.com survey conducted in 2018, 87% of travellers wish to travel sustainably. However, a report the following year revealed that 37% of the travellers do not know how. Environmental sustainability, or taking care of our natural ecosystem, means reducing waste, replacing single-use plastics, and using less energy. It is also central to protecting our forests, rivers, and other natural resources. Hence, tourist destinations and travellers should get involved in campaigns that seek to save our planet.

Isibindi Africa Lodges is committed to minimising its environmental impact. Here’s how:

• Solar Power: We harness the sun’s power! Our on-site solar farm at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, consists of 186 panels, generates 51 kilowatts (kW) of clean energy, supplying 70% of the lodge’s needs.
• Energy Efficiency: We use energy-saving light bulbs throughout our lodges.
• Responsible Recycling: Rhino Ridge has established a unique local community recycling programme. We sort waste into categories: glass, tin, paper/cardboard, plastic, and wet waste. The dry items are then offered to locals for collection and recycling, allowing them to benefit financially from participating. Wet waste finds a new purpose as well, being delivered twice a week to a local pig farmer who gladly accepts it as additional food for his animals.
• Continuous Improvement: We constantly seek ways to improve our recycling practices and explore new avenues for environmental responsibility as our facilities and resources evolve.

Social Sustainability In Tourism

A fitting definition of social sustainability is running your business in the interest of your employees, stakeholders, partners, and the communities in which you operate. An example of this is the Isibindi Foundations projects in the community of Mabibi near Thonga Beach Lodge – the Mabibi School Feeding Scheme feeds 140 children once a week, the Foundation has also built the school’s Grade R classroom and revamped its school kitchen. The Foundation also pays two assistant teachers’ salaries at the school. Moreover, the lodge periodically supplies food and drinks to the community or school meetings.

Another great example is Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge where the local community are actually shareholders of the lodge, the own the land in which the lodge was built, which Isibindi has helped rehabilitate back into the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, expanding the wilderness available to its animals! In turn the local community are then employed by the lodge in all manner of positions and upskilled.

Economic Sustainability In Tourism

A company’s true economic sustainability hinges on achieving financial profitability, but within the boundaries of environmental and social responsibility. While profitability is essential for long-term viability, it should never come at the cost of harming the environment or neglecting social well-being. A responsible business makes means for the community to economically benefit from its operations, whether by employing locals as mentioned above or by viable partnerships. An ethical company drives profits to local businesses and creates employment opportunities. Kosi Forest Lodge prioritises employing local community members where all staff (100%) were Previously Disadvantaged Individuals (PDI). This initiative has empowered many – 26 out of 34 employees previously had no job. Blessing Mngomezulu, the current General Manager, exemplifies this success story. He began his journey at Kosi Forest Lodge as a general building labourer. Through Isibindi’s support, Blessing achieved his FGASA guide qualification, gained further experience at Thonga Beach Lodge, attended hotel school, and ultimately rose to become the lodge’s General Manager in 2013.

The lodge’s commitment to the community extends beyond employment and includes utilising a local business for transportation of staff members to and from the lodge.

Interdependence of the Three Pillars

Sustainable tourism needs to cater to all three pillars to be fully effective. Neglecting one pillar means tourism is not sustainable anymore. Businesses cannot prioritise profit over environmental variables relating to natural resources or social variables dealing with the well-being of communities and quality of life. They must operate to find equitable balance among people, the planet and profit.

Make a Difference: Contribute to Sustainable Tourism

Tourists and businesses (lodges, tour operators and guides) should regularly check if their practices meet the three pillars of sustainable tourism. This will ensure that your travels or business operations are not harmful to the environment and do not infringe on community values. Ideally, your actions must benefit local businesses, respect, and uplift the locals and preserve the natural environment. No one pillar should thrive at the detriment of another.

You can play your part by participating in sustainable travel or through donations to the Isibindi Foundation projects.