No doubt you’ve had your fill of sustainable news and eco this, eco that. Sometimes its forced upon you so much you start to hate the idea. However sustainable travel is something we can all do without impacting your holiday. In fact in 2024 the demand for sustainable travel options has skyrocketed.
If you can still enjoy your amazing holidays but reduce your footprint why not? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to travel sustainably. From choosing eco-friendly accommodation to participating in responsible wildlife tourism. If you are anything like me wildlife holidays are the dream!
What is Sustainable Travel?
Lets break down what sustainable travel actually is and remove and stigma attached to the name. Its also referred to as eco-friendly travel or green travel and simply involves making decisions to reduce the negative impacts of tourism. Both to the local environment but also the local communities.
This includes things like minimising carbon emissions, conserving natural resources and supporting local economies. The goal is to protect the plant while still enjoying yourself and having the holiday you deserve.
Sustainable Accommodation
An easy place to start is your accommodation. Opt for accommodation that prioritises environmental stewardship and social responsibility, let me explain below:
Eco-Friendly Hotels and Resorts:
Many hotels and resorts are now designed with sustainability in mind. Look for resorts that use renewable energy, such as solar or wind power, and those that implement water-saving measures and waste reduction programs. These establishments often have their own organic gardens, source local produce, and avoid single-use plastics.
Green Certifications:
To ensure your accommodation is truly eco-friendly, look for certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Green Key, or EarthCheck. These certifications indicate that the property meets rigorous environmental standards.
Responsible Wildlife Tourism
My favourite part! Wildlife tourism can either contribute to the conservation of species or harm them depending on how its managed. Unfortunately people and companies alike take advantage of wildlife for tourism, below are some tips to ensure your encounters with wildlife are ethical and sustainable.
Support Sanctuaries and Conservation Projects:
Choose tours that work with legitimate sanctuaries and conservation projects rather than those that exploit animals for entertainment. These organizations often focus on rehabilitating injured animals or protecting endangered species.
Avoid Harmful Practices:
Steer clear of activities that involve direct interaction with wild animals, such as riding elephants or taking selfies with tigers. These activities often involve cruelty and can stress the animals.
Minimizing Your Carbon Footprint
Look, it’s hard to get to your dream destination without using planes, cars or both. These all contribute to greenhouse gas emission but there are ways you can still reduce your carbon footprint whilst utilising these forms of travel.
Fly Less, Stay Longer:
Instead of taking multiple short trips, consider traveling less frequently but staying longer at each destination. This reduces the number of flights you take and allows you to immerse yourself more fully in the local culture. Also why wouldn’t you want to stay longer? Seems like a great idea.
Offset Your Emissions:
Many airlines offer carbon offset programs, where you can pay a small fee to support projects that reduce carbon emissions, such as reforestation or renewable energy initiatives. Personally I’d suggest doing this directly so you know exactly where your ‘donation’ is going.
Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation:
When possible, use public transportation, bike, or walk instead of renting a car. If driving is necessary, opt for a hybrid or electric vehicle. These are suggestions most likely for when you are at your destination, but every little helps.
Supporting Local Communities
I love getting immersed in local communities when I go on holiday. Sustainable travel isn’t just about the environment but also supporting the people who live in the places you visit. They are what make your destination so great, so why not support them?
Buy Local:
This is obvious but support local artisans by purchasing handmade goods instead of mass-produced souvenirs. This helps keep money within the community and preserves traditional crafts.
Eat Local:
Dining at locally-owned restaurants and markets ensures your money goes directly to the community, rather than international chains. It also allows you to experience authentic local cuisine, and I can tell you from experience its 100 x better.
Volunteer Responsibly:
If you’re interested in volunteering while abroad, make sure the organization you choose genuinely benefits the local community. Avoid “voluntourism” opportunities that may do more harm than good, such as short-term teaching stints or orphanage visits.
Travel Light and Waste Less
You are unlikely reading this article if you are going on your all inclusive 2 week holiday. However for those seriously interested in a more sustainable approach, the way you pack and use resources during your holiday can contribute to sustainability.
Pack Light:
The lighter your luggage, the less fuel is required for transportation. Pack versatile clothing that can be worn multiple times in different ways.
Use Reusable Items:
Bring a reusable water bottle, shopping bag, and utensils to reduce single-use plastics. Many destinations now have water refill stations, making it easy to avoid buying bottled water.
Avoid Over-Tourism:
Over-tourism can degrade the environment and local culture. Try to visit lesser-known destinations or travel during the off-season to avoid contributing to overcrowding in popular tourist spots. Some tourist hotspots you have to visit just to say you’ve done it, but finding the lesser known spots usually are the real gems of your trip.
Final thoughts
Sustainable travel is more than just a trend, I’d argue it’s a necessary shift towards more responsible and ethical tourism. Not only are you benefiting the planet but you are likely to make your trip one to remember. Remember by making thoughtful choices about where you stay, how you get there and how you interact with local communities and wildlife you can enjoy your travels whilst protecting the planet for future generations.
Enjoy yourself, have fun and learn something new! Looking for tips on travelling with your pets? Check out our guide for pet holidays.
