Sustainable Travel

There have been many hot issues in the world of travel over the last few years, including overtourism, unethical wildlife tourism, and ecosystem degradation. Many have said that travel in itself is unsustainable as it takes resources and exploits communities,  but things like this don’t and shouldn’t go hand in hand with traveling. So is it even possible to travel sustainably?  As experts in small, community based tourism we know a thing or two about sustainable travel. Lets be honest we aren’t going to stop traveling and we don’t want you to either but we do want to share better ways to travel, that respect communities, environments and resources. So here are some of our tips to make your travels more sustainable. 

How to Make Your Travels More Sustainable

What is sustainable tourism?
Travel Tips to Reduce Your Environmental Impact
Start with the destination.
Slow down and stay awhile
Book your trip with a sustainable travel operator
Pick sustainable accommodations
Choose environmentally-friendly transportation
Avoid single-use plastics
Dine-in
Make your travel toiletries sustainable.
Shop local
Skip the taxi and explore by foot or bike
Go plant-based for a few meals or days on your trip.
Pack Lightly
Purify your water
Be conscious of your water consumption.
Leave a place better than you found it.
Why is sustainable tourism important?

What is sustainable tourism?

Sustainable tourism is tourism that does not have a negative impact on the environment or local communities. It is essential to preserve natural areas and ensure that future generations enjoy them.

Sustainable tourism includes activities such as hiking, camping, and bird watching. It also includes responsible practices such as minimizing waste, using local materials, and supporting local businesses.

Sustainable tourism is a growing industry, we are happy to see more and more businesses beginning to offer sustainable options for travelers. This is good news for the planet, and it provides an opportunity for everyone to enjoy the benefits of tourism without damaging the environment.

Travel Tips to Reduce Your Environmental Impact

Here are some tips to help you reduce your environmental impact when you travel.

Start with the destination.

There are a few things to consider when choosing an eco-friendly travel destination. First you can look at destinations that are certified sustainable destinations. The  Global Sustainable Travel Coalition or GSTC works with a few global certification companies that measure a destinations impact on many levels. A full list can be found here on the GSTC Map.   

Once you have decided on a destination, think about the mode of transportation you’ll be using to get there. If you can take a train or bus instead of flying, that will help lessen your carbon footprint. However several airlines have also made big changes to reduce their pollution and go plastic free.  Among the airlines doing good things with offsets are Qantas, whose Fly Carbon Neutral scheme claims to be the largest airline offsetter. They offset staff travel and offer frequent flyer points to passengers buying offsets. Other verified schemes include Air Canada’s with Less Emissions, KLM’s CO2ZERO and Austrian Airlines with Climate Austria.  Alaska airlines is also one of the world’s most fuel efficient airlines, pioneering a navigation technology which leads to more direct flying which saves 1.2 million gallons annually. 

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, try to use public transportation or walk or ride a bike whenever possible. Another thing to consider is the accommodation you’ll be staying in. Many eco-friendly hotels and resorts now use solar power, recycle greywater, and utilize other sustainable practices. Here ar TravGanic we pride ourselves on having a comprehensive list of small, and large hotels and eco resorts around the world that are certified in sustainable practices.  When choosing a place to stay, look for properties that have received green certification from an organization like LEED, Green Globe or Green Key. 

Finally, research the area before discovering the environmental impact your vacation will have. If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking or trekking, make sure you know the Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact on the trail.

You can also consider skipping popular destinations and instead opt to visit hidden gems, which are often more authentic, culturally rich, and have a far lower environmental impact as they are less traveled.

Hikers in Peru’s Ausungate Trek with explorandes 

Slow down and stay awhile

Slow travel is all about taking the time to experience a place rather than just rushing through it. It’s about trading plane rides and long-distance bus journeys for slower forms of transport, such as trains and bicycles. And it’s about staying in one place for a longer time, rather than trying to see everything in a single trip. 

Slow travel has several benefits, both for you and for the planet. For starters, it’s far less stressful than traditional travel. There’s no need to rush from one place to the next and try and fit everything into a tight schedule. This gives you more time to relax and experience the places you’re visiting. 

It also allows you to form deeper connections with the people you meet and better understand the local culture. And from an environmental perspective, slow travel is far more sustainable than traditional tourism. 

By staying in one place for a more extended period, you can minimize your transport footprint. And by using slower forms of transport, such as trains and buses, you’re able to avoid the emissions associated with flying.

Book your trip with a sustainable travel operator

One of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact when traveling is to book your trip with a sustainable travel operator. Sustainable tourism is all about reducing your ecological footprint and benefiting local communities. 

Sustainable travel operators are typically small businesses focused on protecting the environment and promoting cultural exchange. When you book with a sustainable travel operator, you can be sure that your trip will be eco-friendly and that you’ll be supporting local economies. 

Here are some tips for finding a sustainable travel operator:

• Do some research online. There are many sustainable travel operators listed on online directories.
• Ask for recommendations from friends or family who have traveled sustainably.
• Check out our sustainable tourism destinations and expeditions or call one of our sustainable travel experts. 

By booking your trip with a sustainable travel operator, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re doing your part to protect the environment. You’ll also be supporting local communities and getting an authentic experience like migrating with the Maasai on a tour with Visit Natives in Tanzania, or making chocolate with indigenous women in Peru. 

So next time you’re planning a trip, keep sustainability in mind and book with a sustainable travel operator!

Pick sustainable accommodations

Consider sustainable accommodations when looking for a place to stay on your next vacation. These businesses have been certified to meet high environmental and social responsibility standards, and they use practices that protect wildlife and support the local community. 

In addition, they often offer guests opportunities to learn about and experience sustainable living. So not only will you be helping to preserve the planet, but you will also have a unique and memorable vacation. To find sustainable accommodation near you, check out websites like Travganic.

Choose environmentally-friendly transportation

You can help the environment in many ways, but one of the most impactful choices you can make is how you get around. Traditional forms of transportation such as cars and planes emit harmful greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. But several alternative transportation options are much friendlier to the environment. 

Electric vehicles are an excellent choice for city driving, and many rental companies now offer hybrids and EVs. If you’re taking a more extended trip, consider traveling by train. Trains are more energy-efficient than cars and produce far fewer emissions. And if you’re planning a maritime adventure, consider renting an electric boat. These boats are powered by clean energy and don’t produce any pollutants. 

No matter how you choose to travel, you can help make a difference for the environment by choosing environmentally-friendly transportation options.

Avoid single-use plastics 

Single-use plastics are only used once before they are thrown away or recycled. This might include straws, coffee stirrers, plastic cutlery, plates, and bowls. Single-use plastics are made from non-renewable fossil fuels and can take centuries to degrade. As a result, they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. 

There are several simple ways to reduce your reliance on single-use plastics. For example, you could carry a reusable water bottle or coffee cup when you leave the house. You could also invest in some reusable containers for food and snacks. And when shopping, try to remember to bring a tote bag with you to skip the plastic bags for groceries or souvenirs. Many sustainable tour operators have already eliminated single use plastic, but we must also make better decisions for our personal travel as well. Most airlines, airports and restaurants are more than happy to fill a water bottle up for a guest or passenger as well. 

Dine-in

Dining in while traveling is one of the simplest and most sustainable things you can do. It eliminates the need for packaging, transportation, and often single-use utensils associated with takeout or restaurant dining. 

Seeking out local ingredients and products reduces your carbon footprint and supports the local economy. When preparing meals at home or in your hotel room, try to purchase locally sourced fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. You will be getting a fresher product, but you’ll also be reducing the distance these items have traveled. 

If cooking isn’t your thing or you’re short on time, check to see if there are any farmer’s markets or food stalls serving up fresh local cuisine. Eating sustainably while traveling is easy and delicious- give it a try on your next trip!

Make your travel toiletries sustainable.

Making your travel toiletries sustainable is easier than you might think – and it’s a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. Here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Use refillable containers: Invest in a few good-quality refillable containers and fill them up with your favorite products before heading off on your trip. This will help reduce packaging waste and save you money in the long run.

2. Do a little research: Before you buy any new travel toiletries, take a moment to research the company and find out if they have any sustainable or eco-friendly practices. This will help you make more informed decisions about the products you purchase.

3. Choose natural products: Opt for natural or organic personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and sunscreen. These products are often kinder to the environment and your skin. For example, when going to the beach, always make sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen, and while you’re at it, you can even change your entire Beauty and skincare routine to something all-natural without chemicals that can harm marine life.

Making small changes like these can make a big difference in sustainability, so next time you pack your toiletry bag, consider these tips!

Shop local

Shopping local is one of the best ways to make your travels more sustainable. By supporting locally run and owned shops and restaurants, you can help to boost the local economy and reduce your environmental impact. 

Local businesses are often more attuned to the community’s needs, and they often source their supplies from nearby producers. As a result, shopping locally can help reduce your carbon footprint and support people’s livelihoods in the community. 

In addition, purchasing from local businesses can help to ensure that your money is going back into the local economy. So next time you’re planning a trip, be sure to seek out the best local businesses to support.

Skip the taxi and explore by foot or bike 

Taxis and other forms of private transportation are one of the least sustainable ways to get around when you travel. They tend to be more expensive than public transportation, generating a lot of pollution especially in developing nations where vehicles are older and less efficient.  If you want to be more sustainable when you travel, focus on walking and biking as your primary means of transportation. With bus and train travel when available. 

Walking is obviously the most sustainable form of travel, and it’s also a great way to see a new place. You can really take your time and explore when you walk, and you’ll never have to worry about traffic or finding a parking spot. 

Biking is also a great option, especially if you’re traveling to a place with good bike infrastructure. It’s a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and you can usually cover more ground than you could on foot. 

So next time you’re planning a trip, think about how you can minimize your use of private transportation. Walking and biking are practical options that will help you reduce your carbon footprint and make your travels more sustainable.

Go plant-based for a few meals or days on your trip. 

One easy way to help out is by eating plant-based meals for sustainable travel. Even if you’re not a vegetarian or vegan, choosing to eat more plants while traveling can make a big difference. It is better for the environment, but it can also be healthier for you. And it’s not as hard as you might think! Here are a few tips for how to eat plant-based while traveling:

1. Research your destination in advance. Look for restaurants that serve vegetarian or vegan meals, or search for recipes that use local ingredients. You can use apps like HappyCow to help you find places to eat.

2. Pack healthy snacks. Things like nuts, fruit, and veggie sticks are perfect for when you’re on the go and need a quick bite.

3. Be flexible. If you can’t find anything strictly plant-based to eat, try to order dishes that have fewer animal products, such as vegetable pasta instead of a meaty lasagna.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. When in doubt, always ask the waiter or chef about what’s in a dish and where the ingredients came from.

Eating plant-based while traveling is a great way to be more sustainable and help the planet. You’ll love our Gourmet Trek Himalaya Tour that offers vegetarian dishes and trekking through spectacular mountains. 

Pack Lightly

Not only does packing lightly make it easier for you to get around, but did you know that the heavier the plane, the more fuel is needed, resulting in more carbon emissions into the air. 

Be a minimalist. Buy less, bring less. However, if that doesn’t work for you, there are a few ways that you can pack light without sacrificing.

Use packing cubes. These will help you keep everything organized and in one place, and this means you can easily see what you have and prevent overpacking.

Use a smaller bag or suitcase. This will also force you to pack more efficiently as there is less space.

Wear your heaviest clothes on the plane. This way, they don’t take up valuable space in your bag.

Finally, pack items that can be worn in multiple ways or for multiple purposes. 

Purify your water

The water is not always safe to drink in certain places around the world, which means you may find yourself having to drink bottled water. However, you can avoid this by purchasing a water bottle with a purifier. This way, you will be able to drink the water from almost any tap, which saves you money and reduces the amount of plastic waste being produced.

Be conscious of your water consumption.

One of the best ways to make your travel more sustainable is to be conscious of your water consumption. Water is an essential resource, and it’s important to conserve it whenever possible. 

When you’re staying in a hotel, reusing your towel instead of having it laundered every day can save a lot of water. Similarly, turning the faucet off while brushing your teeth can also make a big difference. 

It’s always important to be mindful of how you use water when exploring a new destination. Avoid taking long showers and opt for shorter ones. By being conscious of your water usage, you can help to preserve this precious resource while you’re on the road.

Leave a place better than you found it.

No matter where you travel, always remember to leave a place better than you found it. This could mean picking up trash that other people have left behind or simply not leaving any trash of your own.

It might seem like a small thing, but we can all help make the world cleaner if everyone does their part.

Why is sustainable tourism important?

Sustainable tourism is important because it helps preserve the environment and provides economic opportunities for local communities. Sustainable tourism practices help minimize the negative impact of tourism on the environment, including pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. 

In addition, sustainable tourism can help create jobs and support local businesses in communities frequented by tourists. By supporting sustainable tourism initiatives, travelers can help to make a positive difference in the world.

What are some of your favorite sustainable travel tips?

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