It’s been a tough year so far for travel. There’s no detouring around that. But if you own an ecotourism company, the time is right to share your story and prepare to bounce back stronger than ever. Before we look at how, let’s look at why.
Despite a few viral posts later proven to contain exaggerated truths (I’m looking at you, dolphins returning to Venice), the fact is that shelter in place orders and tight travel restrictions have been largely positive for the environment. China, the world’s leading contributor of CO2 emissions, began to notice significant changes early on as the nation issued stay at home orders and closed factories to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
In a March story on CNN, it was stated that the country’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment reported a 21.5% increase in good air quality days in February compared to the same month in 2019. Furthermore, satellites gave us a bird’s eye view at the marked difference.
NASA air quality researcher Fei Liu said in the article:
This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event. I am not surprised because many cities nationwide have taken measures to minimize the spread of the virus.
Now that we’re in June, however, many countries are still rapidly working to reopen and reenergize their economies, and people aching for leisure vacations are scrambling to get away for a while. This will likely cause a level of “revenge pollution” from the suddenly increased travel emissions, but your ecotourism company has a prime opportunity to stand out.
For everyone around the world keenly watching the pandemic’s effects on the environment play out, low-impact, eco-friendly trips will become increasingly attractive – but there will be stiff competition. Partnering with a like-minded team specializing in ecotourism public relations can help you spread the word about your organization and make it the easy choice for travelers hoping to make a difference.
Don’t hesitate
Even if there are continuing travel delays in your state or country, it’s never too early to lay the framework for a successful PR campaign. The right PR team that understands your message will help you develop your communications strategy early, work to rebuild momentum through thoughtful content and social media posts, and begin reaching out to key media outlets for you ahead of your next busy – and hopefully pandemic-free – season.
At Orange Orchard, we love this planet and all life on it. We love to travel too, and like you, we dream of a world in which travel doesn’t need to take such a devastating toll on the environment. If you’d like to chat about ways we can help you rebuild your momentum post-COVID-19 and introduce more travelers to the beautifully beneficial world of ecotourism, call us today at (865) 977-1973.