How Tourism Education Supports Sustainability

Tourism is the fastest growing industry in the world, but it also is a significant contributor to environmental damage. Among the more obvious environmental impacts of tourism include waste generation and pollution, damage to coral reefs, mangrove and historic architectures, erosion, deforestation and so on. In response to this, sustainable tourism has emerged as a way to mitigate harm while providing the benefits of tourism. It involves travel and business practices that honour the destination's natural, cultural, and social environments, aiming to minimise negative impacts and maximise benefits for both host communities and visitors. In order to implement sustainable tourism, education and training are necessary for both tourism workers and tourists themselves. This article discusses the link between education and sustainable tourism, how they can be integrated, and some of the challenges.

The link between sustainable tourism and education

Education is the main tool used to encourage individuals and the tourism industry to embrace sustainability. Sustainable tourism education encourages critical reflection and awareness of tourism's impacts on the environment, society, and economy of host destinations, equipping individuals with problem-solving skills. The content and locations where sustainable tourism education is offered vary widely. This section will introduce the diverse topics covered in various settings, offering insights for your tourism business or for tourists looking to lower their impact and learn about sustainability.

Educational institutions

The tourism industry recognizes the need for trained professionals due to its significant employment opportunities, however about 50% of the workforce only have basic skills training. These foundational skills, although essential, fall short of driving sustainability in the industry. To develop industry professionals capable of driving sustainable tourism, educational institutions offer comprehensive knowledge such as stakeholder roles, tourism governance, environmental and cultural impact assessment, and the promotion of sustainable behaviours among tourists. In addition to universities, intergovernmental organisations like the UNWTO organise education programs for the youth, and have recently pledged to promote responsible and respectful travel by raising tourists’ cultural awareness.

Business to tourists

Tourism businesses, like tour operators, are in a prime position to educate tourists on sustainable practices. According to the 2023 Booking.com Sustainable Travel Research Report, 76% of travellers want to travel sustainably, but 29% are confused as to ‘how’. Businesses can step in to fill this gap. Tour operators can provide pre-travel information to help tourists reduce their carbon footprint, respect local cultures, and avoid over-tourism. They can also incorporate sustainability into their tours, using public transportation to cut emissions, engaging local guides to preserve local knowledge, and promoting stays in eco-friendly lodges. Whether you are a business looking to adopt sustainable practices or a traveller keen to learn, check out our concise "how-to" guides for guidance.

Tourism staff

Tourism businesses can educate their staff on sustainable tourism practices, enabling internal implementation and enhancing the role of staff as tourist educators. This can be achieved through workshops, online courses, webinars, or mentoring programs, covering topics like environmental management, cultural awareness, and social responsibility. In Sharjah, courses are offered through the Sharjah tourism authority training programs. Staff can join the Sustain Sharjah platform and follow a sustainability journey. Additionally, businesses should inform their staff about company-specific sustainable practices, such as waste and water management and community engagement initiatives, ensuring they understand the reasons behind these actions and their positive impact.

Local knowledge

The local knowledge within a destination community holds significant value for implementing sustainable tourism practices. This knowledge encompasses insights, traditions, and practices rooted in the destination's history. Often closely linked to the natural environment and cultural heritage, it can guide tourism businesses in operating in ways that preserve the area's nature and culture. Leveraging this local knowledge can also provide a competitive edge by offering distinctive destination-specific experiences and services. To facilitate this exchange of knowledge, tourism businesses should establish platforms like workshops and community engagement activities, enabling community members to share their insights and actively participate in shaping tourism experiences.

Benefits and challenges

Sustainable tourism education offers several advantages. It equips professionals with skills to mitigate tourism's negative impacts on the environment and society while encouraging responsible practices among tourists, such as waste reduction and cultural respect. However, there are also challenges to consider.

Navigating resource constraints

Developing a curriculum on sustainable tourism can be costly for educational institutions and tourism businesses, encompassing expenses for curriculum development, training, and certification. To address this challenge, institutions can seek collaboration with private or public sectors, like tourism businesses or tourism ministries, to secure funding and expertise.

Encouraging Tourist Involvement

Another challenge lies in tourists' varying levels of interest in learning about sustainable practices due to their interests or diverse cultural backgrounds. Offering incentives, such as discounts based on their carbon footprint, can make it easier to engage tourists in sustainability practices.

Evaluating the impacts of Education

Assessing the impact of sustainable tourism education can be difficult, as it necessitates long-term monitoring. To overcome this challenge, consider creating an evaluation framework to track the education's impact over time. This framework can include collecting data on graduates' post-program careers to observe their roles and contributions in sustainable tourism. Additionally, tourism businesses can survey tourists to understand how their experiences have influenced their sustainable behaviours.

Utilise our resources

Explore our website to access a wealth of articles on sustainable tourism, covering various topics and offering guidelines on running a sustainable business or becoming a responsible traveller. If you're passionate about sustainable tourism, consider joining the Sustain Sharjah community. Here, you can become part of a group dedicated to fostering sustainable tourism development in Sharjah and beyond.

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