Planning travel can pose challenges for individuals who follow a plant-based lifestyle, particularly when considering dining options. Simply booking accommodations, cruises, day trips, or restaurant meals can be stressful if travel companions do not share the same vegan or plant-based preferences.
Vegan-friendly tourism is experiencing a significant rise as catering for dietary preferences becomes more important, a recent report from GlobalData found. The report released at the end of 2020, surveyed 5,700 people globally and found that nearly 76 percent responded that ethical and environmental sourcing of food influenced their choices. This was up significantly from the 46 percent in the past year, signifying a substantial shift among consumers who became increasingly concerned about environmental issues and personal nutrition.
In response to the increasing demand from plant-based travellers, various industry giants in the tourism sector have implemented measures to accommodate their needs.
Asian Voice reached out to industry expert Vas Jesani and got some insights on what vegan tourism is all about.
What was your inspiration behind the inception of ‘Crystal Blue Travel’?
The inception of the idea comes from my love for travel. I think travelling helps enrich your soul. When you are visiting different countries, you are immersing yourself in different cultures and experiences. I wanted to give people the opportunity to experience that. Also, there's a lot of people who don't know how to put packages together and I’d organise holiday packages for my family and friends. So I ended up turning it into a business.
For many of us, the concept of vegan tourism is limited to access to food choices. Can you elaborate more on what the whole concept is about?
Vegan travel is an up and coming trend. It is yet to gain that mainstream appeal but it is definitely making a space. A lot about veganism is to do with the dietary requirements. The tribalism has changed over the years and tourist destinations are getting more and more inclusive. Less than 10 years ago, you’d struggle to find vegan food. Let alone vegan, you wouldn’t be able to find restaurants that would cater to your vegetarian food needs. But now, every major city has expanded to include vegan and vegetarian options.
As for other aspects of veganism with reference to tourism, I think it goes hand in hand with sustainability. I think within the next five years, we're going to see a massive change in sustainability and our carbon footprint. The industry is all set to make waves.
Focusing on South Asian vegan tourism, what are some facilities and services that you offer to your customers that set your firm apart?
I am simply mindful of the needs of my customers and work on eliminating the mind-set that they will struggle because of their lifestyle choices. I ask questions about the dietary choice and restrictions and other accommodation choices. I then relay back these choices to the hotels and the stays I’ve booked for them. As someone from a vegetarian background who has travelled extensively, I am now aware of the problems that can arise and how the small problems don’t really take away from the experience.
There is also the multi- generational packages that are so much better when three generations- grandparents, parents and children travel together.
How do you see the future of vegan tourism panning out?
The tourism industry is slowly realising that they have to make changes, with changing times. Sustainability is a big question and that goes hand in hand with veganism. We can expect massive changes in the short time of next 18 months itself. The industry is actively trying to withdraw their contribution to polluting the various elements and travellers will have to start going hand in hand.
