Greenwashing

What is greenwashing?

Greenwashing, also called “green sheen”, is a form of marketing spin in which companies falsely claim to be sustainable or exaggerate how eco-friendly or “green” they are to persuade the public that an organization’s property, products, aims and policies are environmentally friendly when in fact they are not.

Greenwashing in tourism

With increasing popularity from travellers who wish to support responsible travel, many businesses, and hospitality properties, promote that they are socially and environmentally-conscious. The problem arises if they don’t implement the responsible practices they publicise.

Look out for terms like ecotourism, ethical, green, responsible or sustainable. Using these words to describe a trip, tour or property does not mean that they actually contribute to the core values of these concepts.