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The world is changing. More and more people and organizations have become aware of the importance of both the reduction of pollutants and the care and conservation of certain ecosystems and communities that were not previously taken into account. Likewise, urban centers have been reinvented, the way of moving around has been reinvented, and indigenous people are also being included in the projects.
These pioneers are changing the way we live, but also the way we see travel. Sometimes they face obstacles with their creative, risky and avant-garde ideas, taking into consideration technology, innovative designs, sustainability, accessibility and, in general, the inclusion of knowledge. We are talking about programs that have never been as important as they are today.
You might think it is due to the pandemic, which has had an impact on the whole planet, but it is not the only thing. It is also due to a factor of awareness and the evolution of the human being. The need to take into account minority groups and to be included in the tourism industry.
Every day the climate crisis, CO2 emissions and the greenhouse effect are on the rise. Organizations such as Greenpeace have promoted sustainable mobility models that include the expansion of public transportation; among them the alternative use of trains and the use of bicycles in cities, thus avoiding further damage to ecosystems and biodiversity in a sustainable way, towards the future.
Likewise, the Earthwatch organization understands the need for changes in the resources that have not been used up to now, and that should be annexed; from hotels or resorts with programs for the replanting of corals at the level of their beaches, to being part of the environmental research that has been carried out by this organization.
Several organizations have been working on a number of projects for some time now, and the time has come to start getting to know some of them; which is the purpose of this article.
In Australia, the Mossman Gorge Center:
The Mossman Gorge Centre is located in the northeastern part of Queensland, Australia, specifically in the rainforest of the Daintre National Park. It has an extension of 1200 square kilometers and has been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. A beautiful ecotourism facility that is a must-see for any traveler visiting the country.
From 2012 to 2019 approximately a 40% increase could be observed in relation to the interest shown by national and international travelers in tourism guided by descendants of the first settlers of this area: the indigenous population.
The Mossman Gorge Centre project has been important both for tourism and for these communities, who have regained control of their ancient and ancestral lands. As a result, this Daintre park is now managed by the Kuku Yalanji people, together with the Queensland state government.
It should be noted that 73% of the park’s staff is indigenous, so these descendants now transmit and teach how to relate to these lands, which has brought about an awareness among travelers not to damage the region, something that was common in the past.
Getting to know these lands with a guide and guardian helps to learn about the life that inhabits this area, about its folklore, the respect we should have for the flora and fauna of the park and that previously went unnoticed. They offer different walks through the Daintre; or, if you prefer, there is a gallery where the culture and art of the Kuku Yalanji is exhibited. You can also taste some of their typical ingredients at the Mayi Café.
In the Netherlands, Rotterdam, the Floating Farm:
Rotterdam is a Dutch city located in the western part of the country, at the level of the province of South Holland, in the west of the Netherlands, with a population of 634,660 inhabitants; it is also currently the largest port city on the European continent, after being destroyed in World War II. Today it is considered a city of the future.
The city of Rotterdam has evolved a lot, especially since 2007, when it joined the C40 Cities or Climate Leadership Group, which is a network of 97 different cities from all over the planet and spread across all continents, whose purpose is to face unambiguously and with different actions the alarming climate change.
Since then, it has been renewing its agreement to reduce CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions by at least half, through environmental actions, by 2029. Initiatives have already materialized at the brewery level, the use of rainwater for brewing, as well as the Floating Farm at the port level.
It is a sustainable farm within a city, but at the same time far from the houses to save space. These beautiful animals are in better conditions, calm, with enough space in their facilities, free to walk both inside the farm and outside, at the level of green spaces. It has about 40 cows and intelligently designed robots that are in charge of milking them.
We are talking about a glass and steel platform consisting of 3 floors or levels. The cows live together on the upper floor; cheese, butter and yogurt are produced on the middle floor; and cheese ripening takes place on the lower floor. This shows the future of livestock farming for other interested countries.
In Canada, the Indigenous Tourism Association (ITAC):
This NGO was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Vancouver. It, along with government organizations and industry leaders, have teamed up to promote tourism throughout the country through the indigenous community. It is clear that after the pandemic ITAC wants to recover, by 2025, the figures that existed before the arrival of the pandemic.
For this, there are 1900 businesses that are run by the indigenous population; in addition, 40,000 jobs will be generated at the industrial level. All directed by the inhabitants, who know these lands better; in this way, both local communities and tourism are promoted.
It is an excellent opportunity for future visits to connect with this population, with their way of life, their customs, culture, with their ancestral lands, among other aspects. To this end, 1700 unique activities and experiences have been selected for tourists to choose from and incorporate into their travel itinerary.
This form of tourism brings new opportunities for these communities; that is, their stories are known to the rest of the world, in addition to recovering their culture, their language, their customs and, of course, an economic activation for the country.
In the United States, San Francisco, the Presidio Tunnel Tops park:
Recently, in this summer of 2022, the Presidio Tunnel Tops Park project opened in San Francisco National Park, in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and was made possible by raising $98 million, with the intention of adding 5 more acres.
A place where both residents and tourists can share with interactive games, enjoy views of the bay, learn in its educational facilities aimed at all ages and more. In addition, it also has a community plaza, picnic areas, meandering paths with gardens, communal bonfires, among others.
We are talking about a public, open and free space in the city. A program designed for all ages, but sustainable. For example, around 200,000 plants have already been planted, in which water saving is being practiced through irrigation spiking practices; especially in the most deserted part.
Likewise, 3 buildings have been rehabilitated where youth centers operate with the integration of environmental awareness and sensory science programs. The latter awakens the senses; that is, they activate the sensory memory of the senses to associate it with the concepts, making learning easier and more lasting.
