Does anyone remember COVID-19 anymore? The outcome of revenge tourism..
As India emerges from the shadow of COVID-19, a new chapter in travel called “Revenge Tourism” unfolded. Since the year 2022 the country’s surge in ‘revenge tourism’ — a rush to travel and make up for lost time — has brought economic relief but also renewed stress on natural sites and local communities. It managed to offset theburden on GDP to a good extent but Now, more than ever, it is time for Indians to embrace eco tourism, turning away from crowded hotspots to seek meaningful, sustainable journeys that benefit both nature and people.
A Shift in Purpose: From Consumption to Connection
Revenge tourism has filled beaches and mountains but often at the cost of environmental degradation, loss of cultural authenticity, and minimal interactions with local communities.Mother earth was here to give you the bounty of nature but not in return of plastic litter everywhere. Why not change the attitude now?
Eco tourism offers a richer alternative: travel that prioritizes conservation, empowers locals, and instills a deep, personal sense of gratitude and worth in every traveler. A freat set of distant friends are formed just over a coffee or overnight stays. People have returned to the same place several times just to relive the feel of belongingness again.
Benefits of Choosing Eco Tourism
Nature: Ecotourism protects biodiversity, preserves fragile ecosystems, promots natural farming activities and funds conservation efforts, ensuring the beauty of India’s landscapes for generations.
Local communities: By hiring local guides, staying in community-run homestays, and purchasing regional organic products, travelers support livelihoods, uplift families, and help maintain cultural heritage. Experiencing pleasure of local foods is a win-win for the traveller and the local entrepreneur.
Gratitude: Immersing oneself in unspoiled environments and authentic cultures often results in a deep sense of appreciation for both nature and the people who are its stewards.
Self-worth: Contributing positively — by volunteering, supporting eco-friendly projects, or practicing responsible travel — fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment that mass tourism rarely provides.
Change2 Eco tourism in Chikmagalur: A Model for Innovative, Memorable Eco Tourism
Hidden amidst the cradle of Western Ghats, Chikmagalur stands as a destination for eco-friendly travel. Beyond its famed coffee estates and misty hills, the region champions a model where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword but a lived experience. Plantation walks, treks in biodiverse rainforests, wildlife safaris, honey farms and stays in organic farms immerse visitors in a landscape that balances prosperity with preservation.
The Change2 Experience — Innovation Meets Sustainability
One particularly memorable example is Change2 in Chikmagalur, where eco-tourism is woven into every detail. Here, guests don’t just visit — they participate: brewing their own organic coffee, participating in extraction of honey with the bee keepers, joining workshops on sustainable farming, and supporting women-led culinary ventures. The facility offers vegan and vegetarian fare, sources ingredients locally, and maintains a zero-waste policy, ensuring minimal environmental footprint while showcasing the best of Chikmagalur’s culture.
This type of tourism transforms travelers into contributors, not just consumers. By interacting closely with nature and the community, each visitor leaves with not just memories but also a tangible sense of having made a difference.
The Path Forward — Travel that Nourishes All
India’s shift towards eco tourism isn’t merely a trend; it is an urgent necessity. As citizens, the choice is ours — to perpetuate the cycle of overconsumption, or to champion travel that nurtures the land and its people. The new era of Indian tourism is not about ticking off destinations, but about forging lasting bonds — with nature, with local communities, and with ourselves. Embracing eco tourism, as seen in ground-breaking initiatives like Change2, can transform every journey into a legacy of gratitude and worth.
**Choose travel that matters. Let your journey heal, not harm.”
