From Eco-friendly buildings to Waste reduction, there are many ways in which tourism businesses are in a prime position to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the environment today. To support innovative tourism research and experimentation in the metaverse, the MTA will provide ongoing consultation and education to members and partners who strive for a sustainable approach to tourism management and development.
The concept of the metaverse has been gaining traction in recent years as a potential solution to some of the world’s most pressing problems. Sustainable travel is also a trend on the rise with more people than ever before conscious of their footprint. The metaverse paired with immersive technologies allow tourists to enjoy experiencing different cultures and environments without leaving their homes. This has the potential to revolutionize the tourism industry and provide a platform for exploring sustainable solutions to the challenges it faces.
Tourism is a vital industry for many countries today, generating trillions of dollars in revenue. However, it is having some negative impacts on already damaged environments. Using the metaverse as an alternative form of entertainments allows physical spaces time to heal.
The challenge for tourism professionals is reducing impact while also providing memorable experiences for travelers. Here we can consider how to leverage the metaverse to create immersive digital experiences.
Imagine being able to explore the Amazon rainforest in a virtual reality experience that highlights the importance of preserving this fragile ecosystem. Or visiting a sustainable eco-resort in Costa Rica and learning about the initiatives they have in place to reduce their environmental impact. The possibilities are endless, and the potential benefits are enormous.
Using the metaverse to explore sustainable solutions for tourism could also provide a platform for collaboration and innovation. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, including tourism, technology, and sustainability, we could work together to develop new solutions and initiatives that could be implemented in the real world.
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Ways that virtual tourism and the Metaverse can provide a more sustainable approach to tourist activities:
Cutting down on Food Waste
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (2019) estimates that one third of all food produced around the world – more precisely 1.3 billion tons – is either lost or goes to waste. This means that the resources – land, water, energy –, labour and capital used along the food production process are all lost as well – and in vain. Also, food waste in landfills generates greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to global warming and climate change.
Reduced carbon emissions
According to the Sustainable Tourism Organisation “Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. From plane flights and boat rides to souvenirs and lodging, various activities contribute to tourism’s carbon footprint. The majority of this footprint is emitted by visitors from high-income countries, with U.S. travelers at the top of the list.”
The impact of tourism on our natural environments has grown significantly as the demand for tourism has grown. It is undeniable that traveling to destinations by car, plane, or cruise ship generates significant carbon emissions. Virtual tourism helps to eliminate the need for transportation, reducing the carbon footprint of travel.
Conservation of resources
Traditional tourism related activities can out pressure on local resources. From food to water to electricity, tourists can put local ecosystems over capacity. Virtual tourism through the metaverse allows tourist organisation to experiment with sustainable tourism practices such as training local tourism representatives in the conservation of food, waster management, responsible use of transportation and other factors that can reduce the demand on core utilities of a place.
Preservation of natural environments
Tourists can have a negative impact on natural habitats and ecosystems, through activities such as deforestation, pollution, and overfishing. Virtual tourism allows people to experience destinations without physically disturbing natural habitats. Due to over-tourism and degradation overtime many of our most precious natural wonders are endangered. Again, allowing these historically important places time to recover from ongoing tourist activity is crucial as we move towards a more sustainable future.
Learn more the MTA focus on sustainability here
