One of our missions as a team is to enhance sustainable tourism in Japan. Our ultimate goal through operating our sharing economy platform is to lower ecological impact, keep the environment clean, support local communities, and allow the travelers to be more conscious of their choices. 

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So…what is it exactly?

The textbook definition of sustainable tourism is the following:

It is a concept that covers the complete tourism experience, including concern for economic, social and environmental issues as well as attention to improving tourists’ experiences and addressing the needs of host communities. -Wiki

Sustainable tourism is a form of tourism that aims to minimize the negative social, economic, and environmental impacts of tourism while maximizing the positive contributions it can make to local communities and the environment. This can be achieved by using resources efficiently, protecting and conserving the natural and cultural heritage of a destination, and promoting the well-being of local communities.

Sustainable tourism practices can include responsible travel and conservation efforts, such as minimizing waste and pollution, supporting local businesses and communities, and protecting natural and cultural resources. It can also involve supporting responsible wildlife tourism and responsible tourism experiences, such as ecotourism and adventure tourism.

The goal of sustainable tourism is to create a positive and long-lasting impact on the destinations, communities, and environments that are visited, while also providing meaningful and authentic experiences for travelers. By adopting sustainable tourism practices, both travelers and the tourism industry can play a role in preserving and enhancing the places they visit.

How can we contribute to being sustainable?

Contribute to being sustainable when traveling

When there is too much attention in one tourist attraction, that generates more pollution, public noise, and will eventually change its form to a commercial spot…which defeats the purpose of being an attractive place to visit.

In order to tackle this issue, being aware of sustainable tourism, and acting to respect the tour destination is important. Some actions we could take are:

1. Go green.

2. Select sustainable methods of transportation.

3. Support local restaurants

4. Support legislation that promotes sustainable tourism.

5. Buy souvenirs from local stores.

6. Support the fight against illegal trade.

7. Walk where possible.

Solving mass tourism problems by sustainable tourism

Mass tourism, or the large-scale influx of tourists to a destination, can have a range of impacts on a destination such as Kyoto. Some potential effects of mass tourism on a travel destination may include:

• Overcrowding and congestion: Mass tourism can lead to overcrowding in popular tourist areas, which can create problems such as traffic congestion, pressure on public transportation systems, and difficulty accessing popular attractions.

• Environmental impacts: Mass tourism can also have negative environmental impacts, such as increased pollution, strain on natural resources, and damage to sensitive ecosystems.

• Economic impacts: Mass tourism can bring economic benefits to a destination, such as increased revenue for local businesses and employment opportunities. However, it can also lead to rising prices and the displacement of local residents as demand for housing and other services increases.

• Cultural impacts: Mass tourism can also have cultural impacts on a destination, such as the loss of traditional ways of life and the erosion of local cultural practices and traditions.

Overall, the effects of mass tourism on a travel destination will depend greatly on how well the destination is able to manage and sustainably accommodate the large number of visitors. There are both positive AND negative effects, thus tackling the negatives sides and maximizing the benefits are crucial at popular travel destinations. 

Mass tourism: In Kyoto

Kyoto has been struggling greatly from being such a popular travel destination, attracting tourists from around the world throughout the year.

According to data from the Kyoto City Tourism Association, the number of tourists who visited Kyoto in 2019 was approximately 46.7 million. This number includes both domestic and international visitors. Kyoto is a popular destination for tourists from around the world, and the city’s rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural surroundings make it a must-visit destination for many travelers.

The most notable problem is the strain it places on the city’s limited resources. With an influx of visitors, Kyoto struggles to meet the accommodation, transport, and entertainment needs of its visitors. In addition, the presence of large groups of tourists has caused congestion in areas like the Naai-ji Temple, as well as an increase in prices in basic commodities. This has caused resentment among some locals. Finally, the rise in littering has caused damage to the unique heritage of this ancient city. 

(*It is worth noting that the number of tourists visiting Kyoto, like the number of tourists visiting Japan overall, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of tourists visiting Kyoto in 2020 and beyond will likely be influenced by factors such as travel restrictions and health and safety measures related to the pandemic.)

Raising global awareness of sustainable tourism

When it comes to awareness, we all need to take action and choose what is the best for the environment. Here are some recent research information about how people care about this topic:

Sustainable tourism statistics that 73% of travelers are more likely to choose accommodation that has implemented sustainability practices over those that haven’t. In fact, Operto’s 2021 white paper states that hotel guests are willing to pay up to 75% more per night for an eco-friendly stay. -avantio.com

We plan to spread the idea of sustainable tourism one step ahead of others, and promote our style of travel to foreign people visiting our country.

There are a number of ways to increase global awareness of sustainable tourism, and here are some:

1. Educate travelers: One way to increase awareness of sustainable tourism is to educate travelers about the importance of sustainable tourism practices and how they can support sustainable tourism efforts when traveling. This can be done through educational materials, such as brochures, social media campaigns, and in-person presentations.

2. Encourage responsible tourism practices: Travelers can be encouraged to adopt responsible tourism practices, such as supporting local businesses, respecting local cultures and customs, and minimizing their environmental impact when traveling.

3. Promote sustainable tourism initiatives: Sustainable tourism initiatives, such as eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and responsible wildlife tourism, can be promoted to raise awareness of sustainable tourism practices.

4. Collaborate with industry partners: Partnerships with travel companies, hotels, airlines, and other industry partners can be forged to promote sustainable tourism practices and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable tourism.

5. Use social media: Social media platforms can be used to raise awareness of sustainable tourism and encourage travelers to adopt sustainable tourism practices. This can be done through hashtags, social media campaigns, and online educational materials.

6. Partner with governments and NGOs: Governments and NGOs can be important partners in raising awareness of sustainable tourism and supporting sustainable tourism initiatives.

By working together and using a variety of strategies, it is possible to increase global awareness of sustainable tourism and encourage more travelers to adopt sustainable tourism practices.

What is a sustainable tourism platform?

A sustainable tourism platform is a website or app that promotes sustainable tourism practices and provides resources and information for travelers interested in sustainable travel. Some specific things that a sustainable tourism platform may do include:

• Provide information on sustainable tourism destinations and activities: A sustainable tourism platform may provide information on destinations and activities that support sustainable tourism practices, such as eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and responsible wildlife tourism.

• Offer resources for sustainable travel: A sustainable tourism platform may offer resources such as travel tips, recommendations for sustainable accommodations and activities, and information on how travelers can minimize their environmental impact when traveling.

• Promote sustainable tourism initiatives: A sustainable tourism platform may promote sustainable tourism initiatives and encourage travelers to support them when planning their trips.

• Connect travelers with sustainable tourism opportunities: A sustainable tourism platform may connect travelers with sustainable tourism opportunities and provide information on how they can support sustainable tourism efforts when traveling.

• Provide educational materials: A sustainable tourism platform may provide educational materials, such as articles, videos, and infographics, to help travelers learn more about sustainable tourism practices and how they can support them when traveling.

A sustainable tourism platform can serve as a valuable resource for travelers interested in supporting sustainable tourism practices and can help raise awareness of the importance of the sustainable tourism concept itself.\

Sustainable tourism platforms in Japan

We focus on creating an online platform environment which leads to users feeling more connected to local experiences, while taking part in a more sustainable travel experience.

Join HiddenWalks to take part in the sustainable tourism movement!