taz: Mr. Reiser, which means sustainable travel?
Dirk Reiser: Sustainable travel is about optimal use of resources and not maximum use in a capitalist sense. It is important to take four dimensions into account: ecological, social, economic and political aspects. This creates a tension: what is positive for the sustainability of a company can have negative consequences on another level. The state must intervene to regulate this. But it can also mean that you have to forego certain things on an individual level.
taz: By no longer flying or not booking short trips? What should you leave behind?
Reiser: There are many things on the so-called customer journey that you can consider. Before I set off, I can think about what I’m booking. Do the accommodations have certain certifications? Many are supported by the Global Council for Sustainable Tourism (GSTC). This will then be marked accordingly. If I absolutely have to fly, I can pay attention to the number of stopovers. Takeoff and landing are particularly energy-intensive. For example, Atmosfair indicates how energy efficient various airlines are. For short or medium distances you could also switch to other means of transport.
taz: There are many CertificationKate. How can you ensure that they deliver what they promise?
Reiser: A large number of certifications are based on the GTSC criteria. That’s a good indicator. In Germany there are also CSR seals, for example from the Anders Reisen forum. They offer small, sustainable trips.
This text comes from the weekday. Our weekly newspaper from the left! Every week, wochentaz is about the world as it is – and as it could be. A left-wing weekly newspaper with a voice, attitude and the special taz view of the world. New every Saturday at the kiosk and of course by subscription.
Adjusting screws on an individual level
taz: Let’s go back to the data: How many people in Germany go on sustainable vacation?
Reiser: That’s difficult to say, because it would require a common understanding of what sustainability means. But there is the Ttourism policy report from the federal governmentwhich also deals with the topic of sustainability. It’s about securing livelihoods in the travel countries in the long term and promoting socially acceptable development locally.
taz: Are there other approaches beyond the customer journey?
Reiser: You should ask yourself whether it really has to be the big trip every year. There is, for example, the idea of a three-year cycle. One year you can travel internationally, the next nationally and the third not at all.
taz: How about that Leisure activities on site?
Reiser: There are also some adjusting screws. Do I sit down to eat at a local restaurant that supports local people? Or do I visit a global chain like L’Osteria?
taz: Why don’t we just stay at home? That would be more sustainable.
Reiser: So first of all I want to emphasize that traveling is a great thing. I don’t like the negative image that is often conveyed – including by mass tourism. Traveling, for example, can promote one’s own cultural competence. The local population also partly benefits from tourism. At the same time, that doesn’t mean that things can’t be done better on an individual level or on the part of industry or politics.
Redistribution with CO2 cards?
taz: Tourism often comes along in cities Burden on the local population due to immense rent increases along. How can you deal with it?
Reiser: Basically, I think that there is no getting around legal regulations. The capitalist theory of the invisible hand that regulates everything is outdated. In Germany there is the lever of social housing. I believe that the tourism industry can also exert pressure. In cities like Amsterdam has been banned from Airbnb. This is a drastic measure, but there is probably no alternative in some places.
You are reading a text from our future department. If you want more positive perspectives, Subscribe to TEAM FUTUREthe constructive newsletter on climate, knowledge, utopias. Every Thursday you will receive an email from us with strong thoughts for you and the planet.
taz: The demand monitor for sustainability in holiday travel has shown that sustainable trips are often cheaper on average. Nevertheless, travelers often book less sustainable alternatives. A flight to a Mediterranean island is probably cheaper than a train to a neighboring country. How could sustainable travel be made more attractive for people whose wallets are not so full?
Reiser: There are ideas about redistribution Credit cards and CO2 emissions. When paying you not only have to use your credit card, but also a CO2-Put the card into a machine. Every person has the same budget. And if your own CO2-Budget is used up, you can buy extra: from a person who hasn’t used theirs. These are usually people with lower incomes. And they can then use the money to travel themselves.
taz: Sustainability is also a goal of the United Nations. How can we ensure that the measures really benefit the environment and people?
Reiser: Politically, this is about incentives and requirements through laws. Let’s look again at the living situation: the tourists themselves have hardly any opportunity to make a difference. There have to be government initiatives.