There are so many holiday destinations available to us; vibrant cities of India and China, forests for Costa Rica, historic buildings of Rome, culture of Spain and Tuscany, and the so many other beautiful landscapes all around the world. With the variety of different cultures, cuisines and traditions to explore, it’s not difficult to find a spellbinding holiday destination.
There is a way to explore the wonders the world has to offer and support a local economy while also keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum.
Whether you’re looking to explore somewhere for a long weekend, or a family holiday, here are some sustainable travel tips that will help you contribute to sustainable tourism and slow travel while leaving a positive impact.
Food/Activities
Water – When it comes to drinking water, I know from experience whenever I go to India that I can’t drink the tap water there which means the safest option is to drink bottled water. But last thing you want to do is opt for single-use plastics. A great way to avoid contributing to plastic pollution is to get yourself a reusable water bottle. You’re making a conscious effort to reduce your negative impacts on the environment and that can only be a good thing.
Food – One of the best things I love about being abroad is immersing myself into the local culture and local customs and the best way to do that is to try out the different food they have available. Many local businesses especially local restaurants rely on tourism from the travel industry so don’t be afraid to ask what is available and only take what you will eat. Food waste is a real problem for many countries and has a negative environmental impact.
Accommodation
Where to stay – Tour operators can be a really helpful when it comes to deciding where you want to stay. Many chain hotels are becoming more aware of the concept of sustainable travel and responsible tourism so places encourage recycling, and building upgrades include using electricity from renewable energy sources and supporting the local community. They want to do their bit to when it comes to climate change. There are so many countries that have a ban on plastic bags – check out the article here. Social media is a great way to source out great accommodation, especially if you’re on a budget – but make sure you do your research!
Air BnB – This is a really good option if you’re tight on a budget. Ensure you thoroughly research the place and get recommendations from people who may have stayed there. Some of these places may be on the outskirts of a city where travel links are good.
What happens when you absolutely fall in love with a place?
This does happen!!
You visit a country and everything about the place ticks all the boxes; the food, the weather, the people, the culture, the way of life. But what can you do for a living? Have you thought about teaching English? It’s a skill you already have, why not teach it? If this sounds like your bag, you may want to check out What is TEFL
Also, if you work while you travel, you may want to think about how to keep yourself safe online, a VPN will really help with this.
Transport
Public Transport – One of the best ways to reduce your carbon emissions when you’re travelling is to take public transportation, countries will vary on the options available. Some are really easy to use, like the metro system in Paris, in some other countries, public transport is few and far between. Ensure you do a little research on how you are going to travel when you’re out an about. Sleeper trains are a really great way to travelling overnight and waking up a wonderful places.
Walking – The cheapest way, and the most sustainable way to travel, is by foot. If this a viable option for you, I would highly recommend it. There’s a good chance that many of the places you want to visit are going to be close to each other, and there are some areas that are probably pedestrianised, which makes it perfect to walking around and immerse yourself in the rich history, cultural heritage, local market, national parks or explore the local marine life.
Clothes
Clothes that last – Ensure you pack good quality clothes and footwear. Sometimes, this may mean that you may have to spend a little more on that item of clothing but at least you know it will last longer and, in the long-run, it will be cheaper because you won’t have to replace it as often. There’s nothing worse when you’re on holiday and need to find a replacement, you’d probably prefer to spend your money on food or activities. Charity shops are a really great place to find some good quality items, you’ll be surprised at what people donate and you’re supporting a charity too. If you really want to make your clothes unique, you can try custom patches to bring out your personality.
Souvenirs
I know we absolutely love our souvenirs – whenever my mum goes away, she will buy a fridge magnet for my daughter. These actually come in handy because, as any parent would know, the kitchen is pride of place for artwork our little ones have created. Think about what you’re buying. It’s easy to get carried away buying mass produced items that will inevitably sit in the drawer when you get back gathering dust. A great way to support local people and local communities is look for handcrafted gifts made from sustainable materials. There’s a good chance that something handmade has been made with sustainable practices. A tip I have for spotting these is to avoid anything with plastic and look for natural materials like wood / bamboo.
When you’re exploring a new country, you can make a significant difference by being more aware of green travel. It’s so important that we look after Mother Earth so future generations can enjoy what this beautiful planet has to offer.
