Mediaplanet spoke with travel writer and award-winning digital creator Katherine Palumbo about her love for Ontario. She shares hidden gems, eco-friendly travel tips, and insights on why sustainable tourism is more important than ever.
What does sustainable tourism mean to you, and why is it important in today’s travel landscape?
Sustainable tourism is a multi-faceted concept with one goal in mind — being responsible. It takes into consideration the economic, social, historical, and environmental impacts of tourism, and ensures long-term benefits for both the visitor and the destination. It’s all about preservation, education, respect, and celebration.
What are some small but impactful actions travellers can take to reduce their environmental footprint while exploring Ontario?
Follow the rules — they’re there for a reason! Don’t fly your drones in provincial parks (it’s illegal without a permit), only hike on marked trails, don’t ignore ‘no trespassing’ signs, clean up after yourself, and never litter. Respect the land, and respect other visitors.
Have you seen an increase in interest from your followers in responsible travel options? If so, what are they most curious about?
Definitely. I think our generation has a genuine interest and concern about issues like climate change and social issues than ever before, and that trickles down into how/where they travel and what businesses they choose to support.
Mediaplanet spoke with travel influencer Tiffany Lai, whose global experiences reflect a strong respect for culture, sustainability, and community. She shares how mindful, eco-friendly travel can make a meaningful impact while staying authentic.
Have you ever made changes to your travel habits after learning about sustainability issues? If so, what were they?
One of the biggest wake-up calls for me was learning how certain chemical sunscreens can harm coral reefs and marine life. Since then, I’ve made the switch to reef-safe, mineral-based sunscreens when I travel, especially to beach or tropical destinations. It seems like such a small change, but over time, these little shifts really add up.
What advice do you have for travelers who want to support local communities and businesses in a meaningful way?
Be open-minded and educate yourself before arrival. Take time to understand its customs, history, and culture, it will make your experience richer and more respectful. If you're traveling to a country with a different language, learning a few basic phrases goes a long way in showing respect to the locals. Being mindful of the rules and customs, like in Hong Kong, where it’s not allowed to eat or drink on public transportation. Little gestures like these help you connect with the community in a way that feels authentic and shows your appreciation for their way of life. Supporting local businesses by buying from markets, eating at family-run restaurants, and choosing eco-friendly accommodations also makes a lasting impact.
Explore the Rich Natural Heritage and Wildlife of Jamaica
Known for sandy white beaches, reggae music, and vibrant nightlife, Jamaica is so much more.
Anne Papmehl
Jamaica’s rich natural and cultural heritage makes it an ideal spot for vacationers seeking outdoor adventure, exploration, and ecotourism opportunities.
From the majestic Blue Mountains and lush rainforest to the pristine turquoise waters that caress its shores, Jamaica’s breathtaking natural wonders, unique ecosystems, and storied landmarks will captivate your senses and leave you awestruck.
Prioritizing wildlife conservation
Jamaica is also home to a rich biodiversity of endemic wildlife, including 65 species of birds, the Jamaican Iguana, and the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. Visitors have an unforgettable opportunity to connect with these rare species in areas like the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lush forests, cascading waterfalls, hiking trails, and botanical gardens. Guided tours are available with knowledgeable local tour guides for visitors to learn about Jamaica’s ongoing conservation efforts and the role each species plays in the island’s ecosystem.
Something for everyone
Whether simply looking to take in attractions as a passive observer or fully immerse yourself in some adrenaline-flowing activities, like racing through the forest in a bobsled, ziplining over the lush canopy of Chukka Cover in St. Ann, or bamboo rafting along the curves and turns of the island’s many rivers, there’s something to suit everybody’s fancy on this island paradise.
HERE ARE SOME HIDDEN ISLAND GEMS WITH A SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS TO CHECK OUT:
Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica: for a romantic getaway with a special Jamaican Flair
For those seeking peace, quiet, and serenity, the Zoëtry® Montego Bay Jamaica all-inclusive resort offers all three—but with a special Jamaican flair. Each part of your stay is designed to connect you to Jamaica’s distinctive culture heritage and natural beauty. Just steps away from the Caribbean Sea, this iconic island paradise is an artful blend of ecological harmony, luxury, and personal wellbeing. Enjoy the authentic gourmet cuisine, restorative spa treatments, and devoted personal service, with every need thoughtfully anticipated.
Jamaica Inn: catering to ecotourism enthusiasts
Make your Jamaican holiday a sustainable one by staying at the Jamaica Inn. Green Globe certified sustainable operation since 2012, the Jamaica Inn prides is dedicated to working in harmony with nature to preserve the island’s incredible beauty. Its many eco-friendly initiatives have become a way of life at the Inn. One of them is its Hawksbill turtle conservation program. During the summer months (July – November), guests can witness mother turtles come ashore to dig nests and lay their eggs or help the tiny turtle hatchlings make their way to the open sea. Perfect for a visitors wanting to inject a dose of eco-purpose into their vacation plans.
Summerhouse Restaurant Caribbean cuisine and sustainability
Meet Suzanne and Michelle, two Jamaican sisters and business partners who have refined the concept of Modern Heritage Dining. Through their restaurants, catering, television shows, cookbooks, historical and cultural research, and traveling and writing, the sisters have cultivated a signature style and taste that are distinct and in demand. Summerhouse is where they bring the magic of their recipes to life. Join them for a meal or two and experience their authentic cuisine first-hand.
Q&A WITH KATHERINE PALUMBO
Q&A WITH TIFFANY LAI
PHOTO CREDIT: JAMAICA INN PHOTO
Leave No Trace to Love the Place
How Leave No Trace Canada guides the shift from over-tourism to thoughtful exploration
Leave No Trace-Sans Trace Canada
For decades, Banff-Lake Louise Tourism encouraged travellers to experience the scenery and wildlife of Banff National Park.
As they happily obliged, tourism boomed and so did the traffic and lines to snap a selfie at the park’s iconic waterfalls and glacier-fed lakes. Eventually, so did the local backlash. Residents began to question whether welcoming millions of visitors each year was worth the congestion and environmental strain.
It wasn’t just in Banff. Globally the number of travellers hopping on planes, trains and automobiles every year increased from nearly one billion in 2010 to 1.5-billion in 2019. The term “overtourism” entered conversations, capturing the growing tension between the benefits of tourism and its burdens on communities and ecosystems.
The pandemic pause — and a shift in mindset
“It’s both travellers realizing this is not the experience they were expecting and residents feeling that there are more negatives from all the tourists than positives,” says Eugene Thomlinson, the director of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Royal Roads University in Victoria.
The pandemic gave people time to reflect on the type of tourism they want in the future, says Thomlinson. Rather than simply growing tourism, there was a shift to investigating how tourism could be a force for good. Known as regenerative travel, it’s based on the realization that “A great place to live also means it will be a great place to visit,” he says, while the reverse is not necessarily true.
In 2023, Banff-Lake Louise Tourism adopted a regenerative tourism vision.
The organization's marketing efforts shifted to steering visitor behaviour and improving infrastructure, so that residents love where they live and visitors feel good about visiting.
Responsibility starts with the traveller That hints at what really differentiates regenerative travel from eco tourism or sustainable travel: it’s as much the traveler's responsibility as the hotel, tour operator, or destination. That might feel like work, but the guidelines for regenerative traveling already exist — Leave No Trace.
Since the 1980s the seven principles of Leave No Trace have been the backcountry code of conduct. But they are just as applicable for lounging on a Thai beach or admiring a basilica in Rome. And the shift isn’t about doing less — it’s about travelling better. Here’s how:
SEVEN SIMPLE PRINCIPLES FOR THOUGHTFUL TRAVEL
1. Plan ahead and prepare.
Research sustainable options — from transportation and accommodation to local experiences. Reduce your carbon footprint, and choose businesses that give back to the community.
2. Travel on durable surfaces. Don’t let your trip be part of the problem. Avoid “last chance tourism,” where visiting threatened sites only accelerates their decline.
Revelstoke Promotes Regenerative Tourism This Thanksgiving
Give back while you visit! Join Thanksgiving Back in Revelstoke — volunteer, connect, and get your stay covered by helping the local community.
Tourism Revelstoke
Fall in Revelstoke has a different feel
— the big days of summer action and adventure turn to shorter, inspiring, cozy and filled with connection.
Each year, the mountain town’s Thanksgiving Back initiative invites visitors to not only experience the charm of a quieter shoulder-season getaway, but to become part of the community in a meaningful way.
Thanksgiving Back is a unique regenerative tourism program that encourages visitors to spend a day volunteering with local non-profits in exchange for up to $400 for their stay. From trail building and food bank support to community cleanups and cultural projects, participants help tackle real needs while creating connections with program participants and the people who call Revelstoke home.
Unlike traditional tourism, this experience is about leaving a place you visit better than you found it. Whether you're traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, it’s a chance to blend your outdoor adventure with social impact.
Over the years, the program has seen over 200 volunteers contribute to more than 25 local projects, bringing in over $100,000 in economic benefits. Local businesses thrive, non-profits get the help they need, and visitors walk away with a deeper appreciation for the community.
Thanksgiving Back is more than an event — it's a movement toward a more thoughtful, connected, and sustainable way to travel.
Travel Deep into the
3. Dispose of waste properly.
Many destinations don’t have the same waste infrastructure Canadians are used to. Be mindful. Carry a reusable water bottle, and choose operators that take waste seriously.
4. Leave what you find.
Skip the shell collection or wildflower picking. Better yet, leave behind positive impacts by supporting local artisans and buying ethically sourced, locally made goods.
5. Minimize campfire impacts.
Not every culture loves, or even allows, campfires like we do in Canada. Understand and respect local customs — whether it’s fire use, photography etiquette, or religious norms.
6. Respect wildlife.
Seeing animals in their natural habitat is a privilege. Keep a respectful distance and choose ethical tour providers like those certified by the World Cetacean Alliance for whale watching or Biosphere Active Nature Tourism Certificated businesses
7. Be considerate of others.
Learn whose traditional territory you’re on. Use Indigenous place names when possible. And wherever you go, be the kind of tourist you would want to welcome into your own hometown.
Great Bear Rainforest with Those Who Call It Home
Sea Wolf Adventures at Sointula Lodge invites travellers into the Great Bear Rainforest for Indigenous-led adventures rooted in culture, wildlife, and reciprocity.
Veronica Stephenson
This September, a new kind of wilderness experience will welcome travellers into the heart of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. Set in an ancient landscape shaped by salmon runs, sacred stories, and the hush of oldgrowth cedar, Sea Wolf Adventures at Sointula Lodge is the latest initiative from Sea Wolf Adventures — a Kwakwaka’wakw-owned tourism company reshaping what responsible travel can mean. Sea Wolf Adventures at Sointula Lodge isn’t your standard resort. This forested, ocean-facing retreat is built to immerse guests in the living culture of the Kwakwaka’wakw people. The lodge will host small groups for four-
day stays that blend wildlife encounters with cultural learning, guided by those whose connection to the land stretches back thousands of years.
Travel that tells the truth Guests move through Kwakwaka’wakw territory by boat, on foot, and via jet boat — tracking bears, spotting orcas, and learning about potlatches. These ceremonial gatherings, once banned by the Canadian government, continue to affirm leadership, share teachings, and strengthen ties through music, dance, and gifting.
Each stay includes a cultural visit to Alert Bay, grizzly bear viewing in salmon-bearing rivers, a jet-boat safari or guided fishing trip, and
a wildlife cruise through the rainforest. Evenings offer a slower rhythm — ocean-view cabins, storytelling sessions, and activities like archery, bone games, or a quiet paddle at dusk.
Sea Wolf Adventures also offers day tours for travellers who would prefer a shorter commitment.
Sea Wolf’s approach to tourism is grounded in reciprocity and culture.
Guests are invited to be present, to listen, and to leave with an enhanced sense of connection to the natural world. In an industry that often packages experiences without context or care, Sea Wolf Adventures at Sointula Lodge offers something different: authentic travel with depth, meaning, and values you’ll want to bring
To sign up for this fall, visit Thanksgiving Back in Revelstoke
TREASURE THE PEACE IN GOLDEN: Mountain Adventures Await
Escape the crowds and play a little longer in Golden, your base for year-round sustainable mountain adventures.
Jen Mallia
cool mountain lake on a hot summer day has a lot of appeal… but having a trail all to yourself on a crisp spring morning or taking in the golden glow of the leaves before they succumb to autumn is an undeniable joy. In Golden, British Columbia, you can experience it all!
The townsite, hewn in by towering slopes, makes an ideal base for travellers craving the all-season beauty of the Canadian Rockies and Columbia Mountains without the busyness of more touristy resorts, especially in the off-peak spring and autumn seasons.
Golden is on the doorstep of six national parks. Kootenay, Jasper, and Mount Revelstoke are all within a few hours’ drive. Even closer are the natural wonders of Yoho, Banff, and Glacier parks. In Yoho, don’t miss trekking to Emerald Lake and towering Takakkaw Falls.
Glacier and Kootenay National Parks are quieter alternatives, offering a taste of Canada’s natural beauty without the crowding of the more popular parks. Take the opportunity to embrace solitude in the remote wilds, complete with frigid mountain rivers and steamy hot springs.
Do your part for sustainable travel
Every visitor to the Golden region plays a part in ensuring sustainability. When using Golden as your basecamp at the heart of our mountain national parks, you’ll need a Parks Canada pass.
Tourism Golden has crafted responsible travel resources to help make the most of every adventure. Helpful one-page brochures are available on the website (tourismgolden.com/travel) for hiking, biking, camping, and local information to help you travel and play sustainably.
At home in the mountains
Golden is a small community and home to people who care deeply about their corner of the world. To help support the town as a sustainable community, travel in off-peak seasons to help ease resources during the summer. Fall is the best time for hiking, with fewer crowds, pleasant weather, and stunning autumn colours. During your visit be sure to support local businesses and respectfully acknowledge that Golden is the traditional unceded territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc peoples and the chosen home of the Métis Nation. Visitors to Golden find they want to return, brought back not only by the relaxed mountain vibes but by the sense of community not so easily found in more commercialized centres.
Golden is a small community and home to people who care deeply about their corner of the world.
Golden is ready to welcome you Come and stay awhile. Book in at a quaint mountain lodge or full-service hotel to lay your head after a day full of biking, rafting, hiking, or just soaking in all Golden has to offer.
Your Golden adventure awaits. Trip planning starts by downloading the free Golden BC destination app, or by visiting tourismgolden.com/eco where you’ll find trail maps for hiking and biking, suggested itineraries, and an interactive tool to help customize every perfect day in Golden.
This article was sponsored by Tourism Golden
Discover Golden, B.C. surrounded by six national parks at the doorstep of the Canadian Rockies.
Start planning: tourismgolden.com/eco
Kootenay River Runners
Raft the best rapids in the Canadian Rockies with the originals! Small groups, big adventure—no experience needed, fun for all from mild to wild! 1-800-599-4399 www.raftingtherockies.com
Golden Golf Club
We are a Small-Town Club with Big Time Golf. Also offer a 42 site RV Park, full practice facility, Mini-Golf Course, and Restaurant with Patio. 1-250-344-2700 www.golfgolden.com
Glacier Raft Company
Whitewater rafting and scenic float trips on the Kicking Horse River - the #1 Activity in Golden on TripAdvisor. Come live an adventure! 1-877-344-7238 www.GlacierRaft.com
Golden Skybridge
Adventure awaits at Golden Skybridge, home to Canada’s highest suspension bridges, a thrilling mountain coaster, zipline, ropes course, rock climbing, axe throwing and more! 1-800-270-1238 www.goldenskybridge.com
