USTOA Envisions Travel as a Means to Save the Planet

International tourist arrivals surged from 25 million in 1950 to 1.4 billion in 2019, with projections reaching 1.9 billion by 2030. This increase in global movement presents an opportunity to positively impact the world through enjoyable yet responsible travel choices. To foster a sustainable tourism future, the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) is equipping travelers with responsible practices regarding their travel choices.

Central to this initiative is Susan Greenfield, affectionately known as Sustainable Suzie. As one of USTOA's dedicated tour operator guides, she advocates for sustainable practices that position travel as a force for good. In a new comic series from USTOA, Sustainable Suzie takes center stage, embarking on a journey across the globe to combat pollution, ignorance, and greed, all aimed at saving our planet. By following Suzie’s example, travelers can explore sustainable destinations like Korea, Tenerife, and Norway, alongside eco-conscious airlines such as United.

Exploring the Historical Roots of South Korea

Sustainable Suzie’s journey begins in South Korea, where sustainability has been ingrained in Buddhist traditions for over 1,600 years. With a focus on a plant-based, zero-waste approach, monks live sustainably within temple grounds, demonstrating that food can be simple, enjoyable, and environmentally friendly.

For those eager to experience the Buddhist way of life, Templestay presents a unique opportunity. Travelers can choose from numerous Buddhist temples across South Korea, engaging with monks, participating in daily rituals, and enjoying meals that connect them with nature.

For a deeper exploration of the country’s history and culture, travelers might consider Alexander + Roberts’ eight-day “Korea Discovery” tour. Starting in Seoul, guests can witness the changing of the guard at the historic Gyeongbokgung Palace and sample a vibrant array of dishes from approximately 5,000 vendors at Gwangjang Market, one of the oldest and largest markets in the nation.

Heading southeast to the coastal city of Gyeongju, visitors can hike Tohamsan Mountain to reach Seokguram Grotto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing an impressive 8th-century Buddha statue overlooking the ocean. At Golgulsa Temple, participants can learn the Buddhist martial art of sunmudo, take part in a traditional tea ceremony, and savor a wholesome lunch prepared on site.

Embracing Nature’s Beauty in Tenerife

Continuing our journey with Sustainable Suzie to Europe, we arrive at Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, situated off the coast of Spain. Those enchanted by its untamed beauty should remember that preserving such landscapes requires significant effort.

The Island Council of Tenerife strives to maintain a harmonious relationship between tourism and the environment, actively addressing the effects of climate change while channeling travel revenues to tackle local poverty and inequality. Their initiatives range from culinary preservation to waste management, earning Tenerife the title of a Biosphere Tourism Destination from the Responsible Tourism Institute in 2021.

Tenerife’s “Zero Footprint” policy, with nearly half of its land safeguarded by stringent environmental protections, makes it a highly desirable destination. The island's western waters, recognized by the European Union as the Teno-Rasca Marine Strip Special Conservation Area, are home to 21 species of whales and dolphins, along with an abundance of turtles and seabirds.

Spain’s tallest peak resides in Teide National Park, beneath which lies a cave featuring Europe’s largest lava tubes, ready for exploration. Additionally, visitors can enjoy 185 miles of biking trails winding through the island’s lush forests, culminating in a visit to historic towns like the UNESCO World Heritage Site of San Cristobal de La Laguna.

Travelers heading to Tenerife independently can rely on the guidance of a travel advisor to collaborate with a USTOA tour operator like GOGO Vacations, crafting a personalized itinerary. Whether you wish to explore the capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and admire Calatrava’s stunning Auditorium of the Sea or delve into the mountainous Anaga Country Park for invigorating hikes and ocean dips, working with travel experts allows you to maximize your experience while contributing to the preservation of the island’s natural beauty for future generations.

Norway’s future remains rooted in its prehistoric past.

In this issue's concluding journey, Sustainable Suzie travels to Norway to enjoy nights spent under the mesmerizing Northern Lights. Yet, travelers should also appreciate the breathtaking land below these celestial displays. A key highlight of any visit is exploring one of Norway’s nearly 1,200 fjords, which make up its 18,000-mile coastline, each a stunning inlet carved by ancient glaciers melting over millennia.

These waterways, derived from the Old Norse word for “passage,” have been navigated for centuries. Recently, Norwegian tour operators have begun utilizing electric and hybrid-electric ferries equipped with underwater drones, allowing guests to observe wildlife with minimal emissions, reduced noise pollution, and minimal environmental impact. The goal is to foster innovation and sustainability, benefiting everyone in the long term—environmentally, economically, and educationally.

Goway Travel’s Highlights of Norway tour invites travelers to spend five full days discovering the cultural and natural wonders of the country, including its fjords. Starting in the historic city of Bergen and concluding in Oslo, the tour provides ample opportunity to explore Norway’s iconic sites, including Bryggen Harbor, a 12th-century trade hub and one of the few remaining examples of Hanseatic wooden architecture.

Travelers will undoubtedly marvel at Norway’s dramatic fjords, particularly Aurlandsfjord and Nærøyfjord, where towering cliffs rise nearly 5,000 feet, adorned with native flora and fauna, cascading waterfalls, and underwater moraines—massive deposits of rock and sediment left by glaciers—defining the country’s legendary scenery.

Traveling to and staying in your destination

Addressing the environmental impact of long-distance travel places significant responsibility on the aviation industry. Recognized as Air Transport World’s 2021 Eco-Airline of the Year, United Airlines is dedicated to preserving its destinations for future generations, with an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Since 1990, United has enhanced fuel efficiency by 45% through various initiatives, including reducing fleet weight and implementing single-engine taxiing, resulting in savings of over five million gallons of fuel each year. By establishing the Eco-Skies Alliance, the airline encourages corporate partners to adopt sustainability measures through carbon-reducing policies and technologies.

United Airlines is advancing towards a sustainable future by developing zero-emission, hydrogen-electric aircraft and implementing carbon capture technologies, while scaling up the use of sustainable aviation fuels that can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%. Additionally, by optimizing flight efficiency, United ensures that their multiple direct flights to Korea, Tenerife, and Norway are as environmentally friendly as possible.

United provides a daily direct flight from San Francisco to Seoul, along with other nonstop services from Los Angeles, Honolulu, New York, and Toronto via Asiana, a Star Alliance member. Additionally, there are direct flights from Newark to Tenerife three times a week, as well as thrice-weekly flights to Bergen and frequent direct options to Oslo in partnership with Scandinavian Airlines.

Opting for environmentally responsible airlines, USTOA tour operators, and ethical travel options is a vital step in countering the five-fold increase in climate and weather-related crises reported by the World Meteorological Organization over the past fifty years. Travel can positively impact both the planet and its explorers if we adopt the responsible practices of our peers, continuing the mission of the inspiring Sustainable Suzie in pursuit of a better world.

Explore USTOA’s website to follow the adventures of Sustainable Suzie, find tour operators, and ignite your own responsible and epic journey!