Sustainable Travel Guide: How to Explore Responsibly in 202
As the freshness of the new year has worn off, many of us are looking for travel destinations to decompress and relax. However, over the past few years, as travel has returned and even exceeded pre-pandemic levels, many luxury travelers are prioritizing sustainable tourism. As climate change continues to change the ecosystem and the environmental degradation of popular hot spots, as well as the threat of over-tourism, it is more important than ever to travel responsibility. Whether you are looking to relax on idyllic beaches far away or explore a new city closer to home, here are seven ways you can travel the world more responsibly while reducing your environmental impact.
Look for Alternative Destinations
Some destinations are popular for a reason, whether it is due to the natural landscape of the area or the rich and diverse history. However, popular locations such as Venice in Italy, Bali in Indonesia, and Santorini in Greece (among others) are suffering from over-tourism. This has led places like Venice to ban large tour groups and impose a daily entry fee in an effort to curb visitor numbers and encourage local residents from moving out of the island.
Instead of traveling to these destinations, seek alternatives that still provide you with the history and landscape of these popular cities, but with less environmental strain on the local area. Instead of Venice, visit Annecy in France, dubbed the “Venice of the Alps,” featuring charming canals like Venice. Or if you want to head to Southeast Asia, instead of Bali, travel to The Gili Islands for a quieter alternative. If a Mamma Mia! inspired summer is on your radar, skip Santorini and visit some of the other islands such as Folegandros.
Travel in the Shoulder or Off-Seasons
If your schedule allows you, consider traveling during the shoulder or off-seasons. Traveling during these periods will not only help you save money and face less crowds, but it also gives you a unique perspective of the area, while reducing your overall impact. Take it one step further by staying in less crowded areas and supporting local businesses and restaurants, far away from the major tourist areas.
Embrace Slow Travel
While slow travel may not be for everyone due to travel preferences and time, traveling slower significantly reduces your carbon footprint. With slow travel, you often reduce the number of flights and other transportation methods you take, reducing carbon emissions and your environmental impact. Instead of visiting five countries in two weeks, consider one or two countries during this same time. Not only will you be able to immerse yourself deeper in the local culture and support the local economy, but you also reduce your environmental footprint and gain a better understanding of where you are visiting.
Consider Your Carbon Footprint
It is no secret that flying is a huge contributor to travel-related carbon emissions. Where possible, elect to take trains, buses, and other forms of public transit to get from point to point. Design your itinerary to reduce or eliminate the number of flights you will need to take, and when you do fly, consider offsetting your carbon footprint by donating to environmental and conservation initiatives.
Additionally, reduce or eliminate single-use plastics including plastic water bottles, shopping bags, straws, and utensils. Some areas of the world lack the infrastructure to properly dispose or recycle these materials, leading them to live in landfills indefinitely. Instead, bring a reusable water bottle you can refill frequently (for areas with unsuitable for drinking water, invest in a Grayl bottle or other product designed to safely filter water for drinking), a reusable shopping bag for your souvenirs, and reusable straws and utensils.
Shop & Stay Local
Traveling should benefit the individuals who live in your destination. Opt for homestays or locally run hotels and guesthouses versus large multinational chains for a more authentic experience for you and financially beneficial experience for the residents. Take tours with local guides who know the area best, shop in locally owned stores, and dine in small restaurants.
Explore Your Own Backyard
Sometimes travelers are focused on exploring places far away from home that they neglect to experience the hidden gems right in their backyard. Many have state or National Parks within a few hours from home that are begging to be explored and loved. Instead of traveling halfway around the world to swim in a clear, spring-fed lake, look online to see what options are closer to home. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, but you also will support your local state or National Park which desperately need your support now more than ever.
Many state and National Parks have eco-lodges or retreats nearby, providing a luxurious experience while protecting our beautiful Mother Earth.
Support and Respect the Local Natural Habitat
While traveling, be sure to be conscientious of the local habitat. Recycle when possible and if not, dispose of any trash in the proper receptacle. When hiking, stick to well-defined and marked paths to protect the fragile ecosystem. If visiting wildlife, be sure to do your research and avoid attractions that exploit or hurt animals such as elephant rides, dolphin swims and shows, and unvetted wildlife sanctuaries and zoos. Ensure that any wildlife sanctuaries are dedicated to responsibly conserving and protecting wildlife in their natural habitats.
Sustainable travel is not just a catchphrase or a TikTok trend. It is about making more intentional choices to explore the world while also protecting it for future generations to come. Taking even a few of these tips and applying them to your 2025 trips and beyond ensures that these beloved places are still accessible decades in the future.
If you are ready to plan your 2025 eco-friendly vacation, contact the team at Avondale Travel today to get started!
