blogDifferent Types of Sustainable Tourism

Learn about the different types of sustainable tourism with Isibindi Africa Lodges. Experience sustainable tourism for a greener future.

The Principles of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism strives for a positive impact on all fronts. It minimises environmental harm by respecting resource limitations and protecting ecosystems. It also values cultural heritage, fostering understanding and supporting local communities through economic benefits like job creation and infrastructure development. This blog will explore different types of sustainable tourism and discuss their pros and cons to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy travel.

Let us look at three different types of sustainable tourism, their activities, and how Isibindi Africa Lodges is involved.

Adventure Tourism and How It Affects Sustainability

According to the Adventure Travel Trade Association, adventure tourism is a tourist activity that includes physical activity, cultural exchange, or activities in nature.

Adventure tourism tends to be more sustainable than other forms of tourism as it encourages the conservation of natural resources and supports local communities. It usually involves small groups of travellers who engage closely with the environment and local cultures.

Tourists engage in two types of adventure activities:

• Hard Adventure Activities: These exploits require professional guidance, intense commitment, and advanced skills. They include but are not limited to mountain climbing, trekking, caving, and sky diving.
• Soft Adventure Activities: These are low-risk activities but still require professional guidance. They cater to a broader audience since they require minimal commitment and beginner skills. Such activities include bird watching, canoeing, game walks, snorkelling, fishing, and kayaking.

Explore the array of sustainable activities offered by Isibindi Africa Lodges:

Safari Activities

Marine activities

Ecotourism and Geotourism

Ecological tourism is the generic notion for the sustainable commercialisation of resources as tourism products. According to some experts, only tourism in natural reservations and national parks is considered ecological or ecotourism. This idea focuses on travel where tourists are curious and want to learn about nature. It usually takes place in a protected environment and teaches people the importance of that environment. It is about uniting conservation, communities, and sustainable travel. Ecotourism activities include bird watching, wildlife viewing and safari walks.

Geotourism is about visiting sites or areas of geological importance. It is based on geological features and landscapes of a particular region and could be undertaken independently or via guided tours. Geotourism encompasses visiting tourist attractions like the Thonga coastline, the Kosi Bay area with its forests, the Zambezi River, and Victoria Falls.

Sustainable Travel and Marine Tourism

Marine tourism is a branch of the tourism industry that caters to travellers seeking adventure or leisure experiences in coastal areas and on shorelines. In addition to the ocean, marine tourism includes lakes, dams, creeks, coral reefs, canals, and rivers. Marine tourism activities are primarily water-based. They range from sailing and fishing to turtle tracking, boating, scuba diving, and snorkelling. It also encompasses visits to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), where responsible tourism practices help conserve these vital ecosystems.

One of South Africa’s most popular marine tourism activities is whale watching, which thrives in winter on the Mabibi coast in KwaZulu-Natal. Similarly, turtle tracking draws visitors in the summer. But marine tourism goes beyond just exciting adventures. It also plays a significant role in the economy and society. This sector creates jobs for people like snorkelling and diving guides and even contributes to conservation efforts by funding marine protected areas.

Take part in marine tourism activities at Thonga Beach Lodge

Thonga Beach Lodge conservation initiatives

Pros and Cons of Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable tourism emphasises short and long-term needs and goals in the tourism sector. It focuses on balancing the economic, environmental, and social aspects instead of putting profit first. In addition, travellers and tourist destinations are becoming aware of the potential impact of adopting ethical and sustainable practices.

Sustainable travel can cost more, this being based on what your choices are and where you choose to go.

It means different things to different people, making it hard to define or consolidate it into one indicator. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that sustainable tourism is hard to track and manage because it happens in scattered geographic locations.

Keep Tourism Sustainable with Isibindi Africa Lodges

Stay at Isibindi Africa Lodges and become a responsible traveller who cares about sustainability in tourism and saving our planet. We care about our host communities and the well-being of these communities. When you choose us, your contribution goes towards important projects that help the people in our communities and protect the environment.