Traveling has become big business, with over 1.4 billion international arrivals per year, taking off for other countries all around the world. While travelling can be a great experience, it can negatively contribute to environmental issues. As such, it is essential to lower your carbon footprint while on your travels to help protect our planet. Here are some great tips for sustainable travel that will keep the planet safe while you have fun.
Travel responsibly
While visiting new and exotic locations can be thrilling, it is essential to be considerate of how you choose to travel. Avoiding aeroplanes may not always be an option, but choosing direct flights can help to reduce your carbon footprint. If you are traveling in big groups, consider carpooling by choosing large passenger vehicles and have a back-up plan so that you travel with ease.
Additionally, trying local methods of public transport, such as buses, trains, and even boats is a great way to travel sustainably while also experiencing the local culture. You could also consider visiting local areas close to you for your holiday and discover scenic local treasures, reducing your carbon footprint by limiting the need for long, expensive travel.
Choose eco-friendly holiday products
As well as traveling responsibly, another great sustainable practice for eco-friendly traveling is to be mindful of the environment you’re visiting. Using regular sunscreen can actually release harmful chemicals into the ocean that are incredibly damaging to the wildlife, such as the beautiful coral reefs.
To travel more sustainably, consider using eco-friendly products that are free from harmful chemicals. Additionally, there are many products available for travel that have less packaging, meaning you are not contributing to the waste when you are travelling.
Selecting your holiday products carefully can help you stay safe while travelling while also protecting the environment.
Stay in eco-accommodation
A part of sustainable travel is selecting eco-friendly private accommodation that actively helps to benefit the tourism industry. Stay local and support small accommodation businesses, and/or lessen your carbon footprint through staying in a tiny log home.
Additionally, many accommodations contribute to protecting the wildlife in their area, such as protecting turtle hatchlings and lowering noise and light pollution to keep wildlife safe. Accommodation such as this can also give you an exceptional opportunity to be closer to the natural world while helping to protect it.
Get back to nature
Another option is to look at free accommodation. Free? Yep. Taking trips to explore free camping sites means not only are you reducing your harmful impact on the planet but having fun for free. And when it comes to camping, you can get off the beaten track and see and experience things you might not have had the chance to do otherwise.
Choosing accommodation that aids the environment is a great way to travel sustainably as you are actively supporting organizations that will safeguard local flora and fauna.
Support local businesses
Contributing to the local tourism and economy is an essential part of sustainable travel. Giving money to local shops, restaurants, and other trades can help keep their businesses thriving. Shopping and eating locally can also give you a more authentic traveling experience.
Be kind to the locals
While traveling, a part of being sustainable is being considerate of the local culture. This involves being considerate and respectful of local customs and people, as well as the environment as a whole. It is essential to remember that you are a guest in a new environment, and while relaxing it is still important to remain respectful.
Be mindful while traveling
Even though you may be using traveling to relax, it is important to remain mindful for sustainable travel. This means trying to recycle where possible and limiting the amount of litter and waste products you bring with you while you are traveling. Also, be mindful and respectful of the local wildlife and nature. This may mean not feeding the local wildlife and changing some of your practices to not disturb them.
Travelling can be a fantastic way to diversify your knowledge and cultural experience, but it is also crucial to protect the environment. Making both small and large changes to the way you travel can make a big difference and help to make the practice of travel more sustainable.
Plan your next vacation with these helpful tips