Sustainable Travel Tips – 10 Easy Tips for You to Use Now!

Sustainable travel is traveling in a responsible way by reducing environmental impact. Moving around has never been easier, which has given us all the opportunity to see the world. As such, tourism has boomed! However, mass tourism can create problems for communities, cultures, wildlife, and nature. So how can we keep traveling in a way to better preserve our planet? Here are some handy tips to make a positive impact on your destination and keep travel sustainable!

1. Pick a sustainable travel destination instead of a popular one

A good way to travel sustainably is to choose a smarter holiday destination. Many countries are working towards becoming carbon neutral and Bhutan is the first country to become carbon negative!

It’s better not to follow the latest travel trends, based on popular movies or series. As an example, the Game of Thrones brought fame to Dubrovnik, Croatia. This caused problems for a destination that was not prepared for mass tourism. For instance, increased traffic, deterioration of historical sites, and increasing prices that are driving locals out.

2. Research before booking

Research accommodations and tours, that you’re planning to book, based on how ‘green’ they are. You can normally find this kind of information on their website. Booking responsibly is a positive way to travel sustainably.

Hotels supporting sustainable travel

Many hotels are now involved in green travel programs or donate a percentage of their profits towards environmental action. For instance, Marriot is only using bulk dispensers in bathrooms, to eliminate single-use plastic. Even better, bring your own environmentally-friendly toiletries rather than using the hotel’s products at all.

Tour companies

A jeep ride through the desert or feeding eagles may seem harmless. However, these practices can be damaging to the eco-system, nature, and wildlife. Seek advice from reviews, and via the company’s website, to find out if a tour service is practicing in a responsible way.

3. Pack light – Easy Sustainable Travel Tip

Packing lightly and thoughtfully is a small, yet effective way, of helping with sustainable travel. The more we pack, the more fuel planes, trains, and automobiles will need. It’s also easier to carry lighter luggage. Try to halve what’s in your bag by carefully thinking about what you’re packing. For example:

Pack a refillable water bottle, or a water purifier, to save you from buying single-use plastic.
Try to pack eco-friendly products, or go completely plastic-free, by using shampoo bars, tooth tabs, deodorant bars, etc. They use up less space, are much better for the environment and are allowed in your hand luggage.
Bring your own food on the flight. Airplane meals are generally served with a lot of single-use plastic.