How Overcrowding, Environmental Damage, and Cultural Erosion Are Threatening the Future of Global Travel"

In 2025, India recorded a 30% increase in domestic tourism and welcomed over 17 million foreign travelers. While this has been a boon for local economies, it has left behind a dangerous footprint.

According to a 2024 report by the Centre for Environment and Energy Development, over 75% of tourism hubs in India face environmental degradation due to unregulated development. “We are destroying the very nature we travel to admire.”
— Sonam Wangchuk, Environmentalist & Innovator

�� The Damage

• 3 out of every 5 Himalayan destinations are facing water scarcity due to tourist inflow.

• Mountains generate 250 tons/day of plastic waste during peak season in North India alone.

• Coral reefs in Southeast Asia are bleaching faster due to irresponsible diving and marine litter.

�� What’s the Fix?

The world doesn’t need fewer travelers. It needs better ones. That’s where BTH Group’s “Social Change Travelers” program steps in —connecting travelers to rural eco-missions, where their stay equals contribution.

✅ In Action:
In Uttarakhand, volunteers helped build rainwater harvesting systems in 6 villages. In Goa, digital nomads conducted plastic audits and helped build zero-waste guidelines for small resorts.

�� Why It Matters

A UNWTO study states that if just 10% of tourists opted for sustainable itineraries, the industry could reduce its carbon footprint by 38% by 2035. “Tourism can be the world's biggest force for peace — if it is rooted in local respect.” — Zarina Bhimji, Cultural Commentator

�� Join the Change

Social Change Travelers is not a trip. It’s a movement.

Walk slower. Travel deeper. Give back.

�� Learn more: https://www.bthgroup.in/social-entrepreneurship-projects-and-community-