Responsible Tourism: Mistakes We Make Without Realising

CONTENTS

Travel responsibly: start with small gestures

Good Intentions Aren’t Always Enough

Today, we talk a lot about eco tourism. Reducing our impact, respecting places, supporting local initiatives… The intention is sincere and increasingly widespread.

But even with the best will in the world, mistakes happen. Sometimes unknowingly, just because we fall into habits or lack the right information.

And that’s okay. What matters is becoming aware of these inconsistencies and adjusting our choices over time. Being a responsible traveller isn’t about perfection. It’s about learning, improving, and staying consistent.

Download our free booklet “Small gestures, big impact”

In this article, we’ll go through 7 common mistakes many of us make when aiming for more sustainable tourism. More importantly, we’ll show you how to avoid them easily, without pressure.  And to help you put theory into practice, we’ve prepared a free guide: “Small gestures, big impact”.

Inside you’ll find:

• Tips to save water and energy during your stay

• Simple habits to reduce waste

• Responsible behaviours in campsites and in nature

• Examples of sustainable actions visible in our campsites

[Download the free guide]

1. Buying Eco-Friendly? Great — But Check the Origin

We often hear about “better” consumption. But an eco-friendly product isn’t always as green as it looks, especially if it travelled halfway across the globe to end up in your bag.

Let’s take a simple example: an imported exotic fruit (like an avocado) can emit around 2 kg of CO₂ per kilo during transport (by ship or truck) (source). That can equal the emissions of a local animal product (like cheese), just from transport alone.

To reduce this impact, go local, go seasonal, and choose short supply chains. That same avocado, if grown locally, has an environmental footprint of just 0.3 kg CO₂e/kg!

It’s often more respectful, and more aligned with your ecological awareness.

You can visit nearby markets or choose restaurants that highlight seasonal or local products. To spot them easily, check platforms like Costa Brava Pirineu de Girona, local tourist offices, or the websites of your destination’s town halls — they list weekly markets and events near the campsites.

And to keep things simple, feel free to ask at our campsite reception desks — our team will be happy to share all the helpful info you need!


2. Sharing Your Travels… At the Cost of the Places You Visit

A single photo shared on social media can put a once-quiet natural site on the map. Soon, that spot may fall victim to overtourism — especially if it’s fragile or unprepared for crowds.

Even with good intentions, we can unknowingly contribute to a site’s degradation: trampled vegetation, litter, noise pollution…

To reduce this impact, avoid pinpoint geolocation, highlight lesser-known alternatives, or share local community initiatives (beach clean-ups, guided walks, community-led projects). This contributes to better environmental management.


3. When Digital Comfort Increases Your Environmental Footprint

You’re on holiday, enjoying a peaceful moment... and you start streaming a show, scrolling through social media, sending videos, or posting stories. Nothing extreme, but globally, these habits carry a real cost.

Your digital footprint includes all the hidden energy consumed by servers, data centres, and networks. And it adds up quickly.

Without cutting yourself off completely, you can simply adjust:

• Use offline modes
  
  
• Limit high-definition video streaming
  
  
• Be present in the moment without documenting everything
  
  

On holiday, reducing screen time can help you reconnect with the place. At Sènia campsites, the natural surroundings and slower pace encourage you to slow down — the perfect opportunity to enjoy life screen-free.


4. Using “Green” Apps Without Checking What’s Behind Them

Booking transport or rentals through an app that claims to be “carbon neutral,” “zero emission,” or “eco-friendly”? Sounds like a good move… but ethics go beyond CO₂ output.

Many services claim to be sustainable but don’t respect employee rights. Poor pay, lack of contracts, algorithm-driven pressure, these issues are common, even among the trendiest tech brands.

And in tourism, this includes meal deliveries, private shuttles, “autonomous” bike rentals, and even some accommodation services.

To truly practice responsible tourism, we must consider social impact alongside environmental impact.

For example, renting a bike from a local business is better than using an anonymous app. At most of our campsites, you can rent bikes directly from the reception or trusted local partners. This way, you get around easily while supporting the local economy.

At Sènia, we select on-site services based on their reliability and strong local ties.


5. Sustainable Activities… Or Just Opportunistic?

Some tourist experiences advertise themselves as “authentic,” “local,” or “eco-friendly.” But behind these appealing promises, you may find poorly regulated offers disconnected from local realities, and sometimes even harmful.

This could be a “nature” excursion that disturbs wildlife, a staged folk workshop for tourists, or unregulated animal interactions. These popular activities actually contradict the principles of sustainable tourism.

How can you tell if an activity is genuinely responsible?

Look for signs such as:

• It’s run by trained professionals (guides, facilitators)
  
  
• It actively and fairly involves the local community
  
  
• It doesn’t disturb nature or local rhythms

Just because a website says “eco-friendly” or uses nature-inspired images doesn’t mean they walk the talk. This is known as greenwashing, giving the illusion of ecological responsibility without real actions or proof. It’s one of the most widespread pitfalls in green tourism.

How to avoid falling for it?

• Ask for concrete examples: waste sorting, solar panels, water-saving systems, customer awareness campaigns
  
  
• Observe what’s actually visible on-site: signage, real actions, staff involvement
  
  
• Look into environmental certifications. These serve as official proof that a business follows measurable steps for environmental responsibility.
  
  

At some Sènia Group campsites, you’ll find compost bins, solar lighting, and clearly explained recycling systems. These visible actions say far more than a vague “green” logo.

We already hold an environmental quality certification, and we’re currently working towards full Biosphere certification across all our campsites in Catalonia, due in 2025. To learn more about our environmental efforts and philosophy, feel free to read about our path to more responsible tourism. 


7. Being Consistent Means Moving Step by Step

Adopting a responsible travel approach doesn’t mean ticking every box all at once. It’s about doing your best, staying aware, and being open to change.

A more mindful trip doesn’t mean giving up comfort or striving for perfection. It’s an opportunity to learn, adapt, and regularly reflect on your choices.

And when you make a mistake? No judgement. Observe, adjust… and do better next time.

As the saying goes, it’s not the destination that matters, but the journey. Sustainable tourism is a continuous process of learning, where each experience brings you closer to better travel choices.

Choosing responsible travel isn’t a trend or a rigid rule. It’s a different perspective, one that considers the impact of our decisions and stays open to change.

We can’t control or fix everything. But we can take small steps, ask the right questions, pay attention to what we consume, who we support, and where we go.

For example, you can start by calculating your carbon footprint or learning about the environmental impact of your consumption. It’s a great way to reflect on your habits. If you're curious, you can learn more here.

And to help you take immediate action, you can read our article on eco tourism tips or download our practical, easy-to-follow guide designed just for you.