Sustainable Tourism in Tulum Hotels

Travel industry media in the last handful of years has liberally bandied about the term “sustainable tourism,” but what does this phrase actually mean to the average tourist to Tulum hotels? Also known as “responsible tourism,” sustainable tourism is tourism which reduces negative social, economic, and environmental impact on the areas visited. This fosters not only responsible economic growth and care for the locals, but also provides more meaningful experiences for tourists who can better understand cultural and environmental concerns.

As recent as 15 years ago, Tulum’s hotel zone was little more than a small collection of rustic cabanas set amid lush jungle, pristine beaches, and palm trees. The natural sand dunes, mangroves, cenotes, and native flora and fauna of the Riviera Maya are vitally important to this area’s ecosystem, so protecting their fragile health is crucial. Even as the area grows in popularity and develops, Tulum hotel owners and staff are doing their part to promote eco-consciousness to protect Tulum’s natural beauty while at the same time offering a comfortable, pleasant experience for their guests.

Here are some of the ways in which you can reduce your environmental impact while staying in Tulum hotels like Cabanas Tulum.

1. While most hotels will routinely change your towels as a daily service, reuse your towels for a couple of days by simply hanging your towels on their hooks to dry, so housekeeping knows you would like to reuse your towels.
2. Conserve water, one of the world’s most precious resources. Take shorter showers and turn off the faucet while shaving and/or brushing your teeth.
3. Save energy. Turn off the lights and unplug your electronic devices when leaving the hotel room. Don’t blow dry your hair–let the sea breeze dry it naturally.
4. Recycle. Take a BPA-free water bottle and refill it from the five gallon jugs available in the hotel’s reception area.
5. Return brochures and/or maps when you’re finished with them to the reception area for others to use.
6. Avoid the use of disposable plastic bags and bottles whenever possible.
7. Request that your hotel bill be emailed to you rather than printed out.
8. Choose restaurants that locally-source their menu

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, switch off your electronic devices, close your computer screen, take a deep breath, relax, enjoy your holiday, and take in all the beauty around you.