Are Eco-Pledges the Future of Sustainable Travel?

Countries rich with biodiversity and reliant on tourism have long been looking for a solution to protect their environment while providing tourists with unforgettable experiences. To encourage guests to learn about and respect their landscape, several countries have adopted eco-pledges.

Eco-pledges are meant to be educational. Their personalized nature (with the use of I statements) engages visitors’ emotions and create a personal connection with the destination. The public aspect encourages tourists to stay true to their pledge. Most eco-pledges are voluntary. At the time of this article, only one country has a mandatory eco-pledge.

Here are some countries with eco-pledges your clients may want to know about.

Iceland
The Icelandic Pledge was introduced in 2017. Instead of not allowing tourists to visit certain areas, Visit Iceland created a voluntary pledge that promotes responsibility and sustainability. The pledge includes things like promising not to drive off the road, promising to stay in sites when camping, and promising to park where you’re supposed to. A pledge button was installed in the Keflavik airport to raise awareness and encourage signatures.

New Zealand
New Zealand introduced the Tiaki Promise in 2018.

The Tiaki Promise doesn’t include guidelines but instead is focused on putting visitors in a specific mindset. The promise asks visitors to act as guardians and protectors of New Zealand’s land and culture.

Finland
Finland’s Sustainable Finland Pledge was introduced in. The pledge mentions not littering and using tap water. It encourages visitors to “be like a Finn” and actively mentions sustainable traveling. Visit Finland also advocates for visitors to use sustainably certified local businesses for services and products. These can be verified with the “Sustainable Travel Finland” logo and green marker.

Palau
Palau is an archipelago in the Western Pacific, near the Philippines and Indonesia. Surrounded by an extensive lagoon, Palau is home to limestone and volcanic islands as well as a large barrier reef system. With a tropical climate and a rich marine environment, Palau isn’t foreign to tourists. In 2015, visitors to Palau outnumbered the local population seven to one. Worried about the threats high-volume tourism can bring, the Palau Pledge was introduced in late 2017. Drafted by the children of the country, the pledge reads:

Children of Palau, I take this pledge, as your guest, to preserve and protect your beautiful and unique island home. I vow to tread lightly, act kindly, and explore mindfully. I shall not take what is not given. I shall not harm what does not harm me. The only footprints I shall leave are those that will wash away.

Palau’s pledge differs from other eco-pledges due to its compulsory nature. The pledge is embedded within Palau’s immigration policy and must be signed by visitors upon arrival.

In 2022, Palau introduced an app designed to advance their eco-tourism initiatives. Titled Ol’au Palau, the app gives eco-friendly tasks to travelers and rewards them with points when completed. The points can then be used to get more out of your travel experience.

Tasks include using reef-safe sunscreen, eating local and sustainable food or avoiding single-use plastics. Visitors can also gain points by correctly answering questions about Palau’s nature and culture. Points can be redeemed to gain access to cultural and nature-based experiences that are usually reserved for locals. These include an unmarked hike, swimming in a secret cave, sharing a meal with locals or community elders, and visiting Palau villages.

Visitors can also earn points by interacting with another of Palau’s eco-initiatives, the Palau Business Pledge. Local businesses that make sustainable efforts and positively contribute to the local community are coined pledge-certified businesses. Tourists are encouraged to look for businesses with the certified pledge badge to help reduce their footprint. This includes hotels, restaurants, and even activities. For example, Sam’s Tours provides kayaking tours, diving, and hiking excursions. They hire local guides and use sustainable practices by forgoing single-use plastic and providing locally-made lunches.