How to Travel Sustainably: Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Travelling

It’s no secret that tourism takes a toll on the environment.

Tourism relies heavily on burning fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change. Tourism is projected to generate 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions by 2050.

The environmental issues caused by tourism cannot be overlooked.

Many of us are ‘binge flying’ – that is flying far more often than is necessary just because we can.

We have the time, the money, and the desire to travel abroad.

But what does slow travel actually mean?

Can you still get a great holiday experience if you reduce your carbon emissions?

How to Travel Sustainably – Tips for Eco-Friendly Traveling

If you’re looking to travel in a more sustainable way, there are plenty of things you can do to make your travels more eco-friendly.

Here are some tips:

Slow down and immerse yourself in the local culture

When you travel slowly, you have a chance to really experience the local culture and get to know the local people who live there. This is one of the best ways to reduce your impact as a tourist.

Take public transportation whenever possible, take public transportation rather than hailing a taxi or renting a car. This will help reduce your carbon footprint as well as help you save money!

Public transport also gives you a chance to sit back and enjoy the natural environment without stressing over the sat nav!

Find out how the local community gets around the city, you will get much more into the local vibe by say, visiting the local market on foot rather than dropping in for 10 minutes in a taxi.

Seek out sustainable accommodation

If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint when traveling, seek out sustainable accommodation options. These days, there are a number of hotels and Airbnb that offer sustainability features, such as solar power, energy-efficient appliances, and recycled materials.

Staying in one of these accommodations can help you offset your travel emissions and make a positive impact on the environment.

Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy all the amenities of a conventional hotel or Airbnb without sacrificing sustainability.

Eat Local

One of the best things about traveling is trying all the different food that each destination has to offer. And a great way to make your travels more sustainable is to eat local.

Not only will you be supporting the local economy, but you’ll also be cutting down on your carbon footprint by eating food that hasn’t been shipped from halfway around the world.

As local residents where they eat, by avoiding the tourist traps you will probably have a much more environmentally friendly culinary experience with local food!

Use public transport or walk or cycle where possible

Public transport is often the most efficient way to get around cities, so make use of it where possible! If you’re traveling short distances, walking or cycling are also great options – not only will they help reduce your carbon footprint, but you’ll also get to see more of your surroundings.

When possible, try to use public transportation instead of renting a car. This is not only better for the environment, but it’s also a great way to get to know a new place.

In many cities, you can even find hop-on, hop-off bus tours that will take you to all the major sights. I actually always make it a mission to book these as I find that you get the best tours on hop on/off buses.

Research sustainable things to do in the area

When you’re planning your trip, try to find sustainable tour operators and activities. There are a number of companies that offer eco-friendly tours and experiences, such as safaris, snorkeling, and hiking.

Choosing one of these options will help you offset your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment. It’s vital that we consider the environmental impacts of our activities, and ensure that we are not damaging the natural environments we are visiting.

Research Alternative Transport

Air travel is one of the most carbon-intensive forms of transport – so, if you can, take the ferry, train, or bus instead. Not only will this help reduce your carbon footprint, but it will also give you a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery.

If you do have to fly, try to offset your emissions by planting trees or investing in other carbon-reducing projects. You can also fly direct whenever possible, as this will help reduce your total emissions.

Avoid single-use plastics

One of the best ways to reduce your impact when traveling is to avoid using single-use plastics. Instead of reaching for a plastic water bottle, bring a reusable one with you. And, say no to straws, plastic bags, and other disposable items.

By making a few small changes, you can dramatically reduce your impact as a traveler and help make the world a more sustainable place.

You can also consider packing a shampoo bar, or solid shampoo bar and reducing the need for other single-use plastics such as conditioner, face wash, soap, and makeup remover. This will also help lighten your load when packing!

But for families, this can also mean swapping out disposable diapers for reusable diapers. Perhaps washing diapers on holiday isn’t exactly the relaxing holiday activity you had in mind. But consider, do you really want your child’s disposable diapers to still be in their holiday destination in 500 years’ time?

Places like Vanuatu have actually banned disposable diapers because of their huge environmenal impact.

Shop at local markets

When you’re traveling, try to shop at local markets for souvenirs and gifts, rather than at big chain stores. Not only will you be supporting local businesses and local communities, but you’ll also get a more authentic experience. And, you’ll help reduce the environmental impact of your travels by avoiding unnecessary packaging and shipping.

Local guides or residents can often let you know where the best local markets are, and one of the most important aspects of eco friendly travel is to support local communities.

Pack Lightly

As much as we all love to travel, it can be really tough on the environment. Airplanes, trains, and cars all produce emissions that can damage the ozone layer and contribute to climate change.

But there are ways to be a sustainable traveler! One of the best things you can do is to pack light.

Packing light may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s actually really important. The lighter the aircraft, train, car, or boat, the less energy is needed.

That means less emissions and a smaller carbon footprint.

So next time you’re packing for a trip, think about what you really need. Do you really need 5 pairs of shoes?

Or can you get by with just 1 or 2?

Every little bit helps when it comes to sustainability. So pack light and travel smart!

Support sustainable businesses

When you’re traveling, seek out sustainable businesses and host communities to support. These businesses often have eco-friendly practices, such as using recycled materials, renewable energy, or biodegradable products.

By patronizing these businesses, you can help reduce the environmental impact of your travels.

Leave no trace

When you’re finished with your trip, make sure to leave no trace. This means packing out all of your trash, respecting wildlife, and not damaging any vegetation. Leaving no trace is a great way to show respect for the environment and ensure that future generations can enjoy the same travel experiences.

If you’re planning on doing some sightseeing, hiking, or any other type of activity that will require you to stay hydrated, be sure to bring a reusable water bottle with you. This will help reduce your reliance on plastic water bottles, which are one of the biggest culprits of pollution.

Coffee lovers, rejoice! You can also ditch disposable coffee cups by bringing a reusable one with you. Most coffee shops will happily fill up your cup – just make sure to ask for a “for here” cup, rather than a “to-go” one.

Educate yourself about the local culture and customs

Before you travel to a new place, take some time to educate yourself about the local culture and customs. This will help you avoid offending anyone and will make your trip more enjoyable. It’s also a great way to learn more about the world and the people who live in it.

Offset Your Carbon Footprint.

If you’re looking for an easy way to be more sustainable on your travels, consider offsetting your carbon footprint. This can be done by investing in carbon offsets, which help to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

There are a number of different companies that offer carbon offsets, so do your research to find one that aligns with your values.

Visit Fewer Places for Longer

If you’re looking to travel more sustainably, one way to do so is to focus on visiting fewer places for longer periods of time.

This approach has a few key benefits. First, it cuts down on air miles, which is great for reducing your carbon footprint.

Second, it ensures that more of your travel budget goes to local businesses and communities, rather than being spread out among multiple destinations.

And lastly, it can actually lead to a more relaxing and enjoyable trip, since you won’t be constantly on the go and can really take the time to explore your surroundings.

Of course, not everyone can or wants to take this approach to travel. But if it’s something that interests you, there are plenty of great ways to make it happen.

Here are a few tips:

• Start by brainstorming a list of places you’d like to visit. Then, narrow it down to your top 2-3 destinations.
• Do some research to find out the best time of year to visit each place. You may want to avoid peak tourist season in order to get better deals and avoid crowds.
• Look for flights and accommodation that allow you to stay for an extended period of time. For example, many hotels offer weekly rates that can save you money.
• Finally, be sure to take the time to really enjoy your surroundings. Slow down, explore, and savor the experience!

Respect the environment

1. Do your research before you go find out about the local area and what sustainable tourism initiatives are already in place.
2. Try to support local businesses when you travel this includes everything from accommodation and food, to souvenirs and activities.
3. Be conscious of your carbon footprint consider offsetting your flights or taking other steps to reduce your impact on the environment while traveling.
4. Limit your water usage try not stay in hotels with extravagant water features, avoid using single-use plastics where possible, and only drink bottled water if absolutely necessary.
5. Finally, be an ambassador for change – tell others about the importance of sustainable traveling practices!

Sustainable travel is important for so many reasons – it helps to protect the environment, supports local economies, and can even be more enjoyable than traditional tourism.

Give Back to the Local Community

When traveling, it’s important to remember that the local community is what makes the destination unique – without them, there would be no tourism industry.

There are many ways to give back to the local community and ensure that your travel dollars are going where they’re needed most.

Here are some ways to give back to the local community when you travel:

1. Support local businesses
2. Volunteer your time
3. Donate to local causes
4. Be respectful of local customs and culture
5. Educate yourself about the destination

When you take the time to give back to the local community, you’re not only helping to support the destination, but you’re also making a positive impact on the people who live there.

Green Travel Vs. Greenwashing

These days, “green” and “sustainable” have become popular buzzwords in the travel industry. But what do they really mean?

And how can you be sure that a travel company is actually walking the walk when it comes to sustainability?

Unfortunately, “greenwashing” is all too common in the travel industry. Greenwashing is when a company falsely promotes itself as environmentally friendly or sustainable in order to gain a competitive advantage or to boost sales.

So how can you avoid being greenwashed when planning your next trip? Here are a few tips:

Do your research:

Don’t just take a company’s word for it that they’re sustainable. Look for independent certification from organizations like Travelife or the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Ask questions:

If you’re unsure about a company’s sustainability claims, don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good company should be able to provide you with specific details about their sustainability practices.

Look for red flags:

Be wary of companies that make vague or unsubstantiated claims about their sustainability. If a company can’t provide specifics about its sustainability practices, it may be greenwashing.

By following these tips, you can help ensure that your next trip is truly sustainable with real environmental benefits —and not just a case of greenwashing.

There are many positive benefits to having more sustainable practices when it comes to traveling. Unsustainable tourism can have a negative impact on the environment, local communities, and economies, so by making some small changes to the way we travel, we can help make a big difference.