Fighting climate change with tourism

The SMARTIES for SMEs project takes concrete action on this front, by engaging in sustainable initiatives and raising awareness

Climate change has become a tangible, pressing issue and the main cause behind it is an increase in greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation and intensive agriculture. The rise in global temperatures is having a dramatic impact on the planet’s natural balance, with increasingly serious and evident consequences such as glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and extreme weather events, including prolonged droughts, devastating floods and record-breaking heat waves.

The tourism industry is one of the many fields to be significantly affected by the changes. Certain destinations that were once popular due to their natural beauty or great climate are becoming less accessible or attractive. Coral reefs are being destroyed, nature reserves are changing, and tourist seasons are shifting or getting shorter. In addition, extreme climate events are a threat to infrastructure and visitor safety, so they have a substantial economic impact on communities that depend on tourism.

From a problem to part of the solution

The path plotted by SMARTIES for SMEs highlights that tourism is not only one of the industries most exposed to the effects of climate change, but also fertile ground for trying out concrete solutions. More and more destinations are taking measures to reduce emissions and regenerate areas, putting local SMEs on the front line of ecological transition.

From retrofitting to boost the energy efficiency of accommodation facilities, to promoting sustainable transport-based routes and creating networks of businesses with low-impact products and services, every sustainable initiative brings environmental, economic and social benefits. SMARTIES for SMEs serves as a catalyst for change of this kind, providing tools, skills and replicable good practices.

If it is guided by a sustainable vision, tourism can evolve and go from being a risk factor to a driver of climate innovation and territorial regeneration. It can be strategically harnessed to build a more resilient future.

Instilling a sense of responsibility

Every trip can be a learning opportunity for both visitors and their hosts. Rather than just encouraging people to think more about what they do, the goal must be to build a shared culture with the capacity to actively tackle climate change. Tourism can contribute to this by acting as an extensive educational workshop, with businesses, communities and visitors all influencing each other.

Teaching tourism SMEs about matters such as responsible resource management, green innovation and sustainable communication has an impact that goes beyond individual destinations. Once businesses are aware and equipped, they can be at the forefront of cultural transformation among tourists. As they welcome travellers, provide them with services and tell them about their local areas, they can steer them towards more ethical and conscientious choices. The SMARTIES for SMEs project fosters this approach with tools, routes and practices that make tourism not only more resilient, but also a force that can build value, awareness, and a better future.