How Will Air Pollution Change Where and When We Travel?

Image Name: Air Pollution in Hanoi

Last year, on a Christmas trip to Hanoi, the city’s skyline presented me not with its typical glitter but rather with a vista evocative of the dystopian movie “Bladerunner.” Unwelcome surprise was the layer of grey pollution obscuring the sunset over Vietnamese capital. Though I had meticulously planned, including hotel bookings and trip insurance, I had not expected the city to be covered with pollution.

Though the first few days were difficult, Hanoi’s haze—which on the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached “very unhealthy”—levels finally dispersed. Air masks became essential, and common complaints were headaches and eye discomfort. The bad air quality caused postponing of leisurely walks to explore the energetic streets.

Harmful Air Pollution Increasingly Common
Whether from farming methods, industrial pollutants, or wildfires, air pollution now worries people all around. Dangerous air quality levels challenge cities all around. For example, recent pollution levels in New Delhi were thirty to thirty-five times higher than the advised safe limit set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The celebrations continued despite a firecracker ban throughout Diwali, so degrading the air quality in the city.

As a regular problem, many areas today deal with “toxic air seasons”. During times of maximum smog, this extreme pollution could cause travellers to avoid specific locations. Popular for holidays, end-of- year travel generally falls during cooler months that trap pollutants close to the earth.

Countries particularly impacted by smog depend much on tourism. Ranked fifth worst in the world for air quality in 2022, Bangladesh sees 4.4% of its GDP derived from tourism. Egypt, ranked tenth worst for air quality, likewise depends on tourism for one in twelve local employment.

Air Quality as a Good or Service
Given climate change aggravating air pollution, clean air is starting to be a valuable natural resource. Digital nomad Bryce Merkl Sasaki, who has seen much of Southeast Asia, saw personally how haze affected vacation plans. In Mae Sot, Thailand, bad air quality would frequently force him to postpone outdoor events. He postponed a visit in Chiang Mai since the pollution levels were dangerous. Dust and smog similarly impacted Sasaki’s experience working as a marketing manager for a local arts school and circus in rural Cambodia. He pointed out that less people visited the circus on the smoggy days.

With 6.5 million fatalities worldwide linked to air pollution annually, public health agendas get increasing importance. Apart from respiratory disorders, air pollution is associated to increased risk of diabetes, obesity, cancer, infertility, and dementia. Fresh air has lately evolved into a souvenir in several areas. Despite the irony of the additional carbon footprint from making these goods, countries such Iceland, Italy, and Canada offer canned local air to visitors.

Technical fixes and changing travel tastes
Technology developments could provide some relief. Developing an app to map Dublin’s air pollution is a team at Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics at Dublin City University. The software seeks to guide bicycles and walkers throughout the city avoiding the most polluting sections. For those trying to reduce their contact to dangerous air, such instruments could become indispensable.

Travel choices are already being influenced by issues with air quality. Managing partner of FINN Partners, a worldwide marketing communications agency, Cathy Feliciano-Chon points out that outdoor and nature-based experiences have become rather popular following the epidemic. Hotels are answering by making investments in industrial HVAC systems to raise indoor air quality. Certain residences even have specific conveniences like FreshBed, a $50,000 mattress with air filtering meant to guarantee a peaceful sleep.

Luxury spas have also embraced air quality improvements, adding cryotherapy—which exposes the body to extreme cold temperatures—to promote circulation and skin condition. This trend shows a more general movement toward travel with an eye on nature and wellbeing.

Travel Plans Emphasize Clean Air
States with clean air are using this benefit in their travel efforts. With its “Take Your Maple Leave,” 2023 campaign, Tourism Canada invites visitors to savor the fresh air of the nation. Australia’s Tourism Tasmania also highlights the island’s unspoiled environment by running its “Come Down for Air” campaign.

According to a 2020 travel think tank TCI Research report, a main attraction for European visitors is air quality. As visitors give sites with untouched natural beauty first priority, this tendency is projected to flourish.

Changing Travel Styles
Countries with bad air quality could experience a drop in tourism during peak smog seasons as travel decisions increasingly weigh air quality. On the other hand, places with clean air will probably draw more people looking for wellness and health-related activities.

The complicated question of how air pollution affects travel calls both government, industry, and passenger cooperation. Although smart marketing and technical solutions can assist, sustainable travel experiences depend on the core causes of air pollution being addressed. In essence, travellers and locations have to change with the rising air pollution. Clean air is starting to be an important resource that affects travel decisions and shapes tourism going forward.

For more information, visit BBC comprehensive article