\u2013<\/em>\u00a0This post was written by\u00a0Oscar O’Connor<\/em>\u00a0\u2013<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With vaccines on the rollout or at least on the horizon in many places, the world is preparing to emerge from lockdowns and travel restrictions in 2021. And a few things have become abundantly clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. The travel industry will change post-COVID<\/li>\n\n\n\n
2. It really needed to anyway<\/li>\n\n\n\n
3. Responsible tourism is the future<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

   Changing the way we travel and consume culture is not only necessary because of COVID-19, but also for the good of the planet and the souls of the cities we love. After a year that upended the global tourism industry and foisted change upon it, there are promising signs that a finer balance can be struck. With a slightly more considered approach, tourists, locals, and the planet stand to benefit. But the industry as a whole needs a rethink across many levels. 
   
   The good news is some people have been conscious about this issue for some time already. So there\u2019s a playbook out there to follow, and some really great responsible tourism examples and eco-friendly attractions and experiences. Ahead of Tiqets’ upcoming sustainable tourism webinar<\/a>, we’re tipping our hat to five venues that are really nailing responsible tourism already, and showing us that amazing travel experiences and sustainability have never been mutually exclusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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   • 1. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore \u2013 Pride of the Lion City<\/a><\/li>
   • 2. Botanical Gardens and Pyramids of Guimar, Tenerife \u2013 Planting Seeds of Sustainability <\/a><\/li>
   • 3. Fashion for Good, Amsterdam \u2013 You Reap What You Sew<\/a><\/li>
   • 4. South Carolina Aquarium \u2013 Turning the Tide of Wildlife Tourism<\/a><\/li>
   • 5. North Sailing Silent Whale-Watching Tours H\u00fasav\u00edk, Iceland \u2013 An Ethical Whale of a Time<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n

     <\/span>1. Gardens by the Bay, Singapore \u2013 Pride of the Lion City<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

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     The obvious place to begin a list like this is Singapore\u2019s botanical wonderland, Gardens by the Bay<\/a>. If ever there was an emphatic statement that ecological sustainability can be spectacular, it\u2019s this boldly conceived and meticulously executed urban oasis located at the water\u2019s edge of the city\u2019s Marina Reservoir. 
     
     Opened in 2012, the gardens were built upon the principle of improving the quality of life in Singapore for locals and tourists alike, by increasing the amount of nature and flora in the city, with an ostensible \u2018more is more<\/em>\u2019 approach. The site comprises 250 acres of tropical plants, water features, themed botanical gardens, indoor forests, the world\u2019s largest greenhouses, and lots more. With over 50 million visitors to date, you could say it\u2019s been a bit of a success story, creating a playbook many venues could do with taking a leaf<\/em> out of.
     
     The Gardens by the Bay are perhaps best-known for the shimmering neon lightshow of Supertree Grove, a set of 18 towering tree-like sculptures and walkways measuring between 25 and 50 metres in height. The trees serve a multitude of functions, the most conspicuous of which appears to be magnetizing smartphones aloft every evening. But as with everything in this park, there\u2019s more going on here than meets the eye. <\/p>\n\n\n

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