Sustainable travelling: 6 ways to make a positive impact on your next trip
Chances are, if you are here, you love to travel, and so do we!
After a period of decreasing tourism numbers in a pandemic, it is having a resurgence. This is good news for many people and businesses, but is it good for the planet?
Most of the popular destinations are endangered by environmental hazards, rising population, harm to heritage sites, and overuse of resources.
But what if you can travel to travel sustainably that won’t be damaged by your presence and you can create a positive impact?
We have narrowed down some sustainable travelling tips so that you can travel sustainably and find ways to give back to the beautiful communities that become our temporary homes.
Sustainable travel tips
Here are some sustainable travel tips that can help you to enjoy your trip while making a positive impact on the environment:
- Opt for eco-conscious accommodation
In recent years, eco-friendly accommodations have come on leaps and bounds and all the credit goes to changing the attitude of customers towards the planet. People are becoming more cognizant of what’s good for the planet therefore hotels are starting to attain serious eco-credentials. Eco-friendly accommodations are the best as they have come a long way, built a system that is regenerative and cyclical.
However, if you can’t find an eco-conscious stay at your destination, opt for smaller-scale options like villas, homestays, lodges, farmhouses, etc.
- Pack reusable items
The easiest way to reduce waste output is to produce less. Many people are switching to sustainable options in their daily lifestyle, they can incorporate the same ways for travelling as well. Use reusables like coffee cups, water bottles, bamboo or steel straw, and collapsible food containers. By this, we can ensure that there is less plastic waste in the ocean and other habitats.
- Avoid flying whenever possible
How will you reach your beautiful destination? Is it by planes, trains, or automobiles? Most of us prefer to travel by plane as it is quite convenient but do you know what damage it brings for the environment? Travelling by plane is the natural enemy of eco-friendly travelling as it wreaks havoc on the environment. Flying is a nasty business when it comes to climate change.
Unfortunately, flying is non-negotiable. If you live in New York and are planning to visit Shanghai, you aren’t going to take the slow boat to China. So, the best solution is to reduce the number of planes you jump on and travel by train or car if possible.
- Spend your money locally
Apart from your accommodation, there are numerous ways to make your dollar have a positive effect. Eating locally is the biggest one! (if you see a Starbucks at the destination, oh for the love of God, please try somewhere else).
Stay at local accommodations, eat at independent cafes and restaurants, buy locally made products, and book local guides and cultural experiences. If you do all these things then you are the best kind of traveller: one mindful and supportive one for the destination they are visiting.
- Be ‘water-wise’
Altogether, tourists use far more water than the local residents. With a growing number of cities experiencing water scarcity, the choices you make can help ensure that the local residents have adequate amounts of water for future use. So, watch your shower times and ensure that your taps are turned off. By preceding a daily change of towels and sheets during hotel stays, we can save tons of water yearly.
- Use an ethical operator
People often choose your operations like transportation, logistics, vendors and people. Each link in this chain can have a positive or a negative impact on the environment. Be sure to pick an operator who prioritises the environment, respects local cultures, and uses resources efficiently
Conclusion
Wrapping it up, the best way to travel sustainably is to install these sustainable travel tips and be more mindful. ‘Respect that you are holidaying at someone else’s home and think about ways for creating a positive impact there’. Combining your travelling with sustainability by visiting beautiful sustainable destinations, doing good for the environment in their own special way.
Also, if you want to know more about sustainable practices and drive a moment towards a sustainable world, join our sustainable brands community.
Prachi, an accomplished Chief-Editor at The Sustainable Brands Journal, has 15+ years of experience in Europe, the Middle East, and India, managing 90+ global sustainable brands. She’s a prolific writer in sustainability, contributing to various publications. Prachi’s unwavering passion and expertise make her a recognized authority, driving positive change and inspiring a sustainable future.
