The ace up the sleeve

I’m pleased to note that young men and women of my generation care deeply about environmental issues, and, as I travel, I realize that more and more people are interested in vacations inspired by the values of sustainability and responsible tourism. A growing group of “green” travelers is on the rise in Italy too, encouraged by the attention many destinations are paying to these issues. And this is exactly what Valchiavenna is trying to do as well, starting with the town that gives the valley its name — awarded the Touring Club Italiano’s Bandiera Arancione (Orange Flag) since 2008, and already a Cittaslow. Chiavenna, in fact, has long promoted various initiatives to “help” tourists adopt good practices for a sustainable stay. We have all the cards we need to keep this momentum going — one card in particular, not the wild card, but the ace up our sleeve, is the “Carta del Turista” (Tourist Charter), a valuable set of guidelines serving both guests and local businesses.

The “Carta del Turista” is the result of teamwork between the Municipality of Chiavenna, the Valchiavenna Tourism Board, and local businesses and associations, which, with the support of the Touring Club Italiano, aim to bring about positive, long-term change through concrete, everyday actions. It’s a commitment that involves each of us personally, expressed through improvements designed to minimize negative impact on the environment and on local communities. This is the baton that everyone is called to reach for and pass on — first to those already running, and then further still. I like to picture it as a kind of relay race: on one side, the improvements set out by local institutions in the “Carta del Turista,” and on the other, their practical implementation by businesses and tourists alike. For example, one of the habits I try to follow myself when traveling is using public transport, or alternatively, choosing to carpool. Both are advantageous solutions, not least for splitting costs. Once at the destination, a step counter becomes a valuable companion, since walking or cycling routes far outweigh motorized ones. It’s always a pleasure to meet fellow travelers along the way who share my same approach — people who prefer to carry a map and pen, discovering hidden corners while treating technology as just one tool among paper guides and conversations with locals, who are a living source of richness for the area. Among the main reasons younger tourists choose green experiences is an awareness of the importance of preserving the land. For my generation, the Millennials, and the post-Gen Z generation that followed, traveling this way has become a priority. The sustainability of a trip, then, isn’t reflected only in the choice of destination, but also in how every detail of the vacation is approached. It isn’t a trend — it’s the expression of a shift in awareness. All of us can contribute to this growth by respecting our environmental heritage. The Carta del Turista is a valuable guide to draw inspiration from for virtuous conduct, even while on vacation.