Sustainable Travel in Asia

Why It Matters in Asia

Asia’s tourism industry supports hundreds of millions of jobs but also creates significant environmental and social pressures. Overtourism has damaged iconic sites, wildlife exploitation continues, and mass tourism often benefits international chains over local communities. Individual traveler choices collectively shape what tourism looks like.

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Ethical Wildlife Encounters

Elephants (Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka)

Avoid:

• Any venue offering elephant riding (modern saddles damage elephant spines; traditional bare-back riding is less harmful but still stressful)
• Venues offering elephant painting, elephant football, or circus-style performances
• Venues where elephants are kept in chains

Choose:

• Sanctuaries where elephants roam freely, interact at their own pace, and riding is not offered
• Thailand: Elephant Nature Park (Chiang Mai), Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary
• Bali: Mason Elephant Park (controversial) — research current conditions

Signs of ethical operation:

• Elephants can move away from humans
• No bullhooks or obvious control instruments
• Staff discuss elephants’ rescue stories
• Not chained overnight

Other Wildlife

Avoid: Tiger selfies (sedated animals), monkey shows, snake charming, civet coffee from caged civets (wild-harvested kopi luwak is OK, caged is not).

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Overtourism and Crowds

Angkor Wat (Cambodia): Spread your visits across multiple days to smaller temples. Go to Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm at dawn rather than Angkor Wat — less crowded and equally wonderful.

Fushimi Inari (Kyoto): Go at 6am and hike to the higher sections. The crowds are overwhelmingly concentrated in the lower section and at midday.

Phi Phi Islands (Thailand): The long-tail boats and speedboats have caused significant reef damage. Choose operators committed to mooring buoys and responsible anchoring.

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Supporting Local Economies

Eat at local restaurants: Money spent at local restaurants stays in the community. International chains repatriate profits.

Stay at locally owned accommodation: Locally owned guesthouses and hotels employ local people and keep money circulating locally.

Buy crafts from artisans: Buy directly from craftspeople at markets rather than through intermediaries at tourist shops.

Hire local guides: Local knowledge is better and the income goes directly to community members.

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Environmental Tips

Avoid single-use plastic: Bring a reusable water bottle with filter (LifeStraw, Grayl). Many Southeast Asian countries have severe plastic pollution problems.

Reef-safe sunscreen: Chemical sunscreens (oxybenzone, octinoxate) damage coral reefs. Use reef-safe mineral alternatives when snorkeling or diving.

Carbon offsetting: Long-haul flights have significant carbon impact. Consider offsetting through reputable programs.

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