travelling can never be environmentally friendly

National Geographic content straight to your inbox—sign up for our popular newsletters here

A train glides past Switzerland's snowcapped mountains, one way travelers can see the world while reducing their carbon footprint.

6 Ways to Be a More Sustainable Traveler

Reduce your impact on the planet, support local economies, and protect wildlife.

The United Nations designated 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development —an opportunity to raise global awareness about how responsible tourism can act as a vehicle for positive change.

The three pillars of sustainable tourism are employing environmentally friendly practices (reduce, reuse, recycle); protecting cultural and natural heritage (restoring historic buildings or saving endangered species); and providing tangible social and economic benefits for local communities (ranging from upholding the rights of indigenous peoples to supporting fair wages for employees). Here are six things globetrotters can do to ease their impact on the planet:

Avoid the plane and take the train.

Become part of the emerging “slow travel” trend by going to fewer places and spending more time in each. Train travel is a good way to do this. Not only will you experience a deeper sense of place, you’ll also decrease your carbon footprint. Some of my favorite travel-by-train destinations include India , Southeast Asia, East Africa, and China .

Give, the right way.

Many well-intentioned travelers bring sweets, used clothing, books, and pencils to hand out to children and villagers in developing nations. Sadly, this kind giving often has unintended consequences—it can sow community conflict and encourage a culture of dependency and begging. I watched two Maasai women in Africa fight over a T-shirt that a smiling tourist had handed out; in some parts of Asia, the first English words children learn are “Give me sweet.”

It is better to give—be it money or goods—to reputable local organizations that work on social welfare programs, or to international groups that partner with them. A good one is Pack for a Purpose .

Say no to plastic.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch , a swirling mass of human trash stretching across thousands of miles of the ocean, includes gazillions of throw-away plastic bottles and bags that will take hundreds of years, if ever, to break down—all the while wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems.

Be a part of the solution by opting for locally purified water in recyclable glass bottles (in the tropics, I rely mainly on green coconuts to stay hydrated) and carrying tote bags in your luggage that you can use while perusing street markets and shops. Not only will this cut back on plastic waste, it will also reduce your carbon footprint–petroleum-based ingredients are a staple in manufacturing plastic bottles and bags.

Research your tour operators.

I explore on my own most of the time when I travel, but when I do seek out the services of a tour outfitter, I always ask three questions before signing on: What are some of your tour company’s environmentally friendly practices? Can you give me an example of how your trips help to protect and support wildlife or cultural heritage? Do you employ local guides on your trips?

These days, any outfitter that cannot provide a clear answer is behind the times. Find another one.

Support the real local economy.

Locally made crafts and souvenirs are not always cheaper, but purchasing them ensures your contribution to the economy will have a more direct and positive impact.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

In Cancun, for example, some gift shops sell “traditional” Mexican sombreros that are imported from China because they cost less, while village artisans who make the hats by hand charge more. The difference is not just in the price. Buying the real sombreros supports authentic cultural heritage and provides needed jobs for the locals who make them.

Never buy wildlife products—period.

On a trip to Vietnam’s Halong Bay, I watched a group of American tourists haggling with villagers who were selling some of the most beautiful sea shells I have come across in my travels.

Similarly, in Mongolia , I witnessed a couple of backpackers haggling at an outdoor market to buy a hand-stitched eagle hunter’s hat made from plush wolf fur. These travelers were inadvertently helping to support a growing marketplace for trafficking rare and endangered wildlife products as souvenirs. Just say no.

FREE BONUS ISSUE

Related topics.

• SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

You May Also Like

10 whimsical ways to experience Scotland

Looking for a truly remote, off-the-grid adventure? Try Panama.

10 of the best UK destinations for spring travel

They inspire us and teach us about the world: Meet our 2024 Travelers of the Year

Exploring the UK's wild isles: 5 of the best new nature travel books

• Perpetual Planet
• Environment
• History & Culture
• Paid Content

History & Culture

• Mind, Body, Wonder
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Your US State Privacy Rights
• Children's Online Privacy Policy
• Interest-Based Ads
• About Nielsen Measurement
• Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
• Nat Geo Home
• Attend a Live Event
• Book a Trip
• Inspire Your Kids
• Shop Nat Geo
• Visit the D.C. Museum
• Learn About Our Impact
• Support Our Mission
• Advertise With Us
• Customer Service
• Renew Subscription
• Manage Your Subscription
• Work at Nat Geo
• Sign Up for Our Newsletters
• Contribute to Protect the Planet

Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

• Share full article

How to Travel More Sustainably

Don’t skimp on doing your own research, and be aware that ‘green’ certificates aren’t always all they’re cracked up to be.

Credit... Gabriel Alcala

Supported by

By Paige McClanahan

• April 22, 2021

So you’re vaccinated and eager to — finally — plan a real summer vacation after a rough year, but you don’t want to add to the problems you might have read about: overcrowding, climate change, unfair working conditions in the tourism industry. What’s a thoughtful traveler to do?

For those who want to travel responsibly, it comes down to this: You, the traveler, have to do your homework.

Looking for a hotel or tour operator that has earned a sustainability label might seem like a good place to start, but the reality isn’t so simple. There are around 180 certification labels floating around in the tourism industry, each purporting to certify the green credentials of a hotel, restaurant, tour operator or even a destination. And while some of those labels are well enforced, others might better be described as greenwashing — when a company portrays itself as an environmental steward, but its actions don’t match the hype.

“The range is enormous — from rigorous, impartial and excellent to, frankly, poor,” said Randy Durband, the chief executive of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council , a nonprofit organization that establishes and manages global standards for sustainable travel. “We strongly believe in the value of third-party certification, when it’s done right,” Mr. Durband added. “But the way the word ‘certification’ is used in tourism is out of control.”

Still, while the labels might be all over the map, many businesses are waking up to the importance of improving their environmental and social performance, said Andrea Nicholas, the chief executive of Green Tourism , an Edinburgh-based certification body with more than 2,500 members. The pandemic has brought the concept of sustainable tourism forward by five to 10 years, she said. Before, she added, many businesses saw sustainability as an “add-on.”

“What we’re seeing now, from the interest we’re getting, is that it’s a must-have,” she said.

There are some promising signs that consumers, too, are waking up to the consequences of their vacations. More than two-thirds of respondents to a recent seven-country global survey for American Express Travel said that they “are trying to be more aware of sustainability-friendly travel brands to support.” Another poll, this one for the digital travel company Booking.com, found that 69 percent of the more than 20,000 respondents “expect the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options.”

What does “sustainable travel” mean, anyway?

Given the diversity of destinations and contexts that a traveler might encounter, there’s no universal answer to what sustainable travel means. A hotel’s water efficiency is a lot more important along Spain’s dry Mediterranean coastline than in rain-soaked western Scotland, for instance.

But experts say that the concept is about a lot more than just reusing the towels in your hotel room or buying a carbon offset for your flight, although those are good places to start.

Sustainability is also about the wages and working conditions of the people who are waiting tables on your cruise ship or schlepping your bag up a trail; it’s about the additional pressure you might be putting on an already-crowded city , heritage site or natural area ; it’s about whether your hotel buys its produce from a farm down the road or from a supplier on the other side of the world, or whether the money you spend goes into the community you’re visiting — or into the distant account of a multinational.

“What you need to do is marry the corporate social responsibility with an informed tourist consumer who knows what they’re asking for, and then demands it,” said Freya Higgins-Desbiolles, an adjunct senior lecturer in tourism at the University of South Australia. She listed some questions that travelers should ask themselves before they take their next trip: How can I travel in an off-peak time? How can I go to places that aren’t overcrowded? How can I ensure that the money I spend ends up in the local economy?

Johannah Christensen, a nonprofit executive and longtime concerned traveler, says that she always looks for some sort of reliable certification when she books a block of hotel rooms for an annual professional event. The Green Key label — a certification program that is headquartered in Copenhagen, where Ms. Christensen lives — is one that she has used in the past, but she is always sure to do some digging on her own. (This 2016 guide to some of the major tourism certifications can be a good starting point.)

“You can look for those green check marks, but understand what’s implied in them,” she said. “What does the hotel actually have to do to earn it? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

How to do your homework

Asking questions — both while you’re traveling and, more important, before you book — is one of the most powerful things that travelers can do, said Gregory Miller, the executive director of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Responsible Travel . He recommends people start by looking closely at the websites of the tour operators, hotels and destinations that they’re considering. If they don’t find any language about sustainability, “that should be a flag,” he said.

Beyond that, he suggests that travelers check his organization’s list of responsible travel tips , which include recommendations like hiring local guides, asking permission before taking photos of people, staying on designated trails in natural areas and thinking twice about handing out money to children. While they’re traveling, Dr. Miller said, people shouldn’t be afraid to ask difficult questions of their service providers, or to call out waste or abuse when they see it — whether directly to a manager or in an online review.

“Certification can be a tool in the toolbox, but don’t be limited by that,” Dr. Miller said. “It’s about choices, and travelers do have the choice.”

Susanne Etti, the environmental impact specialist at Intrepid Travel , a global tour operator based in Australia, had other tips for travelers. She said they could start by checking the list of the more than 230 travel organizations that have joined the Tourism Declares initiative, members of which have pledged to publish a climate action plan and cut their carbon emissions.

Another reliable indicator, she said, is whether a company has been classified as a “B Corporation” — a rigorous sustainability standard that’s not limited to the tourism industry. Her company, Intrepid, has achieved the distinction, as have the apparel company Patagonia and ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s. The B Corporation website lists some three dozen companies in the “travel and leisure” sector — from a paddle sports company in Hawaii to an Ecuadorean tour bus operator. A number of other tourism businesses are listed under “hospitality,” including Taos Ski Valley and Orlando-based Legacy Vacation Resorts.

Dr. Etti also shared some of the advice that she follows in her own travels. “When you fly, make it count,” she said, adding that, before the pandemic, when she would travel from her current home in Australia to her native Germany, she would do the long-haul flight, but then choose trains or other less-polluting ways to get around Europe, even when cheap short-haul flights were readily available.

Dr. Etti also recommended that travelers learn to slow down. “Stay in one location longer,” she said, “to really understand how life works in that community.”

Rethinking what travel means

Many travelers also need a shift in mind-set, said Dominique Callimanopulos, the head of Elevate Destinations , an international tour operator based in Massachusetts that has won a number of awards for its commitment to sustainability. People should learn to see their travels as an opportunity for exchange with a host community rather than a simple consumer transaction. Ms. Callimanopulos said that even her sustainability-inclined clientele rarely do their homework: She has received more questions about the availability of hair dryers than about the company’s environmental or social practices.

“People can make a shift from thinking just about what their personal experience is going to be to looking at the impact of their experience on the ground, on the destination and on the community,” she said.

Lindblad Expeditions , which operates adventure cruises in destinations like Alaska, the Antarctic and the South Pacific, has also won awards for its approach to sustainability and for giving back to the communities it visits. Sven-Olof Lindblad, the company’s chief executive, said that he continues to see people spending up to $40,000 on an Antarctic cruise without doing any research on the practices of the company offering the trip.

“You wouldn’t just buy a car from an ad without understanding what it was and how it compared,” he said. “I’m absolutely amazed at how little diligence people sometimes do in relationship to travel.”

Mr. Lindblad recommended that, in addition to doing their own research, travelers could speak to a travel adviser or travel agent who can help them dig for answers that might not be readily available on a company’s website.

“When people choose to travel, they should really understand what they’re getting into,” he said, “because there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors in this business.”

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2021 .

Explore Our Style Coverage

The latest in fashion, trends, love and more..

An Unusual Path to Hollywood:  Sobhita Dhulipala has taken on risky roles in her acting career, outside of India’s blockbuster hits . Now, she’s starring in Dev Patel’s “Monkey Man.”

These Scientists Rock, Literally: The Pasteur Institute in Paris, known for its world-altering scientific research , has been making advancements in another field: the musical arts.

JoJo Siwa Grows Up:  Siwa, the child star turned children’s entertainer, who at first modeled her career on Hannah Montana, is now after her own Miley (Cyrus) moment .

Jill Biden Makes an Entrance:  The first lady was glittering in crystals — days after Melania Trump stepped out in pink at a Palm Beach fund-raiser. Together, the pictures offer a harbinger of what is to come .

Creating Works of Ephemeral Beauty:  A YouTube rabbit hole led Blanka Amezkua to a small Mexican town and the centuries-old craft of papel picado  — chiseling intricate patterns into colorful paper flags.

New York Bridal Fashion Week:  Reimagined classic silhouettes, a play on textures and interactive presentations brought fresh takes  to the spring and summer 2025 bridal collections.

Advertisement

Top 10 Tips for Sustainable Travel

Tourism is at a crossroads, facing the challenge of balancing growth with sustainability. Over the past two decades, the number of international tourist arrivals more than doubled, surpassing  1.4 billion  in 2019. While this tourism boom promoted economic growth and personal fulfillment, it often came at the expense of the environment and local communities. As tourism surged, it came hand in hand with gentrification, crowded streets, pollution, and habitat loss.

In recent years, destinations began implementing measures to combat the burdens of unsustainable tourism: Hawaii banned the sale of reef-toxic sunscreens, Dubrovnik limited the number of cruise ships that can dock each day, Palau protected 80% of its waters, and Barcelona cracked down on illegal vacation rentals. While these are certainly steps in the right direction, there’s still much more to be done.

According to research by Booking.com, 76% of travelers say they want to travel more sustainably. While this shifting mindset is a promising sign many travelers don’t know where to begin.

You can be part of the solution by adopting more responsible travel habits and supporting companies that are taking action. In this blog post, we offer guidance on what sustainable travel looks like in practice. By rethinking the way we travel, we can realize a future where tourism protects and respects our planet and its cultures. Read on to discover our top tips for eco-friendly and socially conscious travel.

Free Resource: Download our Sustainable Travel Tips List and keep it handy when planning trips to engage in more responsible travel. 

What is sustainable tourism?

Before we go any further, it’s important to clarify what we mean by sustainable travel.

While people often think of sustainability as minimizing our environmental footprint, it is much broader and all-encompassing than this. Sustainable tourism is all about achieving a balance between economic growth, human well-being, and environmental health. It focuses on reducing tourism’s negative impacts  and on  maximizing its positive benefits  for communities, cultures, ecosystems, and the planet. Sustainable tourism accounts for both the immediate impacts felt today as well as those longer-term impacts that will be experienced by future generations.

You’ve probably seen other buzzwords such as “ecotourism,” “regenerative travel,” “community-based tourism,” “ethical travel,” or “nature-tourism” and wondered how they differ from “sustainable tourism.” Without getting into the nuances of each, these terms tend to be narrower in scope and focus on specific applications or aspects of sustainable tourism. For instance, ecotourism specifically focuses on responsible travel to natural areas, while regenerative travel focuses more on leaving places better than they were before and repairing damage that has already been done.

How to start traveling more sustainably

While it’s one thing to understand what sustainable travel means, it’s another to actually put it into practice. That’s why we’ve rounded up our top ten tips for sustainable travel to help you be a more eco-friendly and socially conscious traveler .  As you read, think about which practices you can adopt when you travel.

1. Get off the beaten path

Prior to the pandemic, many destinations were literally being loved to death as they became victims of their own popularity. Historic cities, beaches, and other tourist hotspots were being overrun by hordes of visitors, a phenomenon that is now known as “overtourism.”

As a traveler, you can help prevent a resurgence of overtourism by skipping tourist traps and getting off the beaten path. While it may be tempting to go to the same bucket list destinations that everyone is Instagramming, it can be even more rewarding to explore less traversed places. The reality is that many tourist hotspots don’t live up to their expectations – you may have to spend hours standing in line, only to discover that the destination doesn’t look the same in person as it did online.

Getting off the beaten path allows travelers to have a more unique and authentic experience while avoiding the crowds. This doesn’t mean you have to pitch a tent in the middle of nowhere, but it does require that you do some extra research. Look beyond the “Top 10” destinations and attractions lists, explore Google Maps, or ask locals or other travelers for recommendations. Instead of staying in major tourist centers, visit smaller cities or head to a more rural area. Doing so will reduce the burden on over-visited destinations, while spreading tourism benefits to other local communities. If you travel by cruise, opt for a small ship cruise line. Because these boats carry less passengers and are able to visit smaller ports, they alleviate pressure on common cruise destinations. If you are dying to go to a popular destination, consider scheduling your trip during the off-season. Check out  this website  which helps predict the best times to avoid the crowds.

2. Slow down and stay awhile

It can be easy to get caught up trying to cram as much as possible into a trip. After all, this may be the only time you visit the destination. Though a packed itinerary may seem ideal on paper, you’ll likely spend the majority of your vacation rushing from one place to another. While you may tick off lots of bucket list sights, you’ll miss out on actually getting to know the destination. Not to mention, this fast-paced “hit and run” style of tourism is a surefire recipe for stress.

Do yourself a favor and give yourself more time to explore the destination. Instead of taking multiple shorter trips each year, opt for just one longer vacation. Once you’ve reached your destination, park yourself in one area for a while instead of hopping from one place to the next.

Slowing things down will allow you to really experience the place you are visiting. When you aren’t rushed, you can take time to immerse yourself in the culture, build deeper connections with local people, and get to know the destination’s unique charms. Take a cooking class to taste the local flavors and learn how to make traditional dishes. Spend a day walking or cycling around town and you’ll be sure to discover hidden gems like a quirky local coffeehouse. Meander through a museum and arm yourself with a mountain of fun facts.

Spending more time in a destination makes for more authentic, memorable, and meaningful travel experiences. At the same time, it reduces pressure on the cities and communities you visit while creating greater benefits for the local businesses you support. An extra bonus: slow travel is also better for the environment since it reduces the amount of carbon emissions generated by flying or driving between destinations.

3. Use efficient modes of transportation

In addition to traveling slow, there are other ways that you can reduce the carbon emissions produced by your trip. Approximately 8% of the world’s carbon emissions are caused by travel and tourism. As such, the travel industry is a significant contributor to climate change, which is one of the  gravest threats  to the future of tourism, people, and the world.

Air travel, driving, and other forms of transportation make up the largest part of  tourism’s carbon footprint.  Though all modes of transportation require energy, some are more efficient and cleaner than others. How you get to/from and around your destination makes a difference.

In general, planes and cars tend to be the least efficient modes of transportation. When vacationing to closer destinations, travel by train or coach to cut your emissions while soaking in the scenery. Once you’re in your destination, consider taking the bus, traveling by rail, or cycling around town instead of renting a car. If you do rent a car, opt for an electric, hybrid, or smaller model.

Keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all guideline for which method of transportation to use since the carbon footprint also depends on the type of energy being used. The most sustainable option will vary from one destination to the next. Trains in the Netherlands are powered by wind energy, Washington D.C. has zero emissions buses, and some of Thailand’s infamous tuk tuks are going electric. Research the different transportation options in the destination you are visiting to make an informed decision.

> Discover more ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Conserve water and energy

Beyond transportation, tourism also relies on energy for heating, lighting, and electricity. This along with intensive water use by tourists can put great strain on local water supplies and energy infrastructure. Tourists often consume significantly more water and energy than local residents and many destinations struggle to keep up with the demand. As global temperatures rise and the population grows, it will exacerbate this problem even further.

When you’re on vacation, do what you can to conserve local water and energy resources. Turn off the lights, TV, and any other electronics when not in use. When leaving your hotel, turn off the AC or set the thermostat a few degrees higher. Take a shower instead of a bath and keep it as short as possible. Handwash your own clothes and hang up the “Do Not Disturb Sign” to prevent unnecessary laundering.

You can also reduce your environmental footprint by staying in a low impact accommodation. This could either be a smaller, more basic accommodation or a higher-end property that utilizes renewable energy and water/energy efficient technologies.

Free Sustainable Travel Tips List

5. Offset your carbon footprint

While you should always do what you can to minimize your energy usage, some carbon emissions will remain unavoidable. You can compensate for these inevitable greenhouse gas emissions through a process known as “ carbon offsetting .”

Carbon offsetting allows you to balance out the carbon footprint of your trip, by reducing emissions somewhere else in the world. All you have to do is  calculate your carbon footprint  using an online carbon calculator, then purchase offsets equivalent to the amount of CO2 you produced. The money from your offset purchase will be invested in  projects  that reduce carbon and other greenhouse gases. For instance, one project may protect a tropical rainforest from being cut down, while another might build a wind farm or convert cow manure into energy. Carbon offset projects can also create benefits that go beyond emissions reductions, such as creating local jobs, improving sanitation, or conserving endangered species.

When offsetting your footprint, just be sure to go through a  reputable provider  to ensure you’re creating the greatest impact.

>  Get started offsetting your carbon footprint. 

6. Keep your dollars local

Many communities are hurting from the lack of tourism over the past year. You can help them bounce back by making sure your dollars stay in the local economy.

The best way to ensure host communities reap the benefits of tourism is by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. Consider staying in locally-owned homestays and guesthouses rather than expat-owned hotels or international chains. Dine at local restaurants and savor traditional dishes made with locally-sourced ingredients. Get out of your comfort zone and have some fun navigating the local market – buy spices grown by a local farmer or purchase jewelry made by a local artisan. Although haggling is expected in many cultures and okay to do, don’t be stingy and pay a fair price. Book excursions led by local guides or learn a new skill from a local expert by signing up for a weaving workshop or surfing lessons. If you book a packaged tour, choose an operator that prioritizes local suppliers.

While it may be tempting to give money to beggars, it’s best to avoid this practice as it often causes more harm than good. At its worst, begging can be a form of human trafficking and travelers’ well-intentioned gifts can perpetuate a system that keeps children out of school and forces them onto the streets. Even if this isn’t the case, giving money to beggars can fuel a dependence on tourist handouts. A better alternative is to make a contribution to a local charity that empowers people through skills development, education, micro-loans, or access to social services. You can help promote the equitable distribution of wealth by patroning businesses that are owned or managed by marginalized groups such as women, indigenous populations, or minorities.

7. Respect local communities

One of the incredible things about travel is that it offers a glimpse into other traditions, beliefs, and ways of life. Seize this opportunity to expand your horizons by embracing the differences and soaking up the local culture.

Begin immersing yourself in other cultures by reading up on the local history, traditions, and etiquette before visiting. Download a language app and learn a few phrases in the local language. Be aware that certain gestures, clothing, or words are considered offensive in some destinations. Be especially mindful when visiting religious or spiritual sites. Only go to sites where tourists are welcome and adhere to any protocols. At some sites, this may mean taking off your shoes, covering your shoulders, keeping your voice down, or not taking photos.

Wherever you go, remember that the destination you are visiting is someone else’s home. Obey the local laws and guidelines, from traffic rules to health and safety precautions. Do your best to leave places like you found them so that future generations of travelers and residents can enjoy them too. A little bit of respect goes a long way – be considerate of local people and treat them with dignity. This includes honoring their privacy and asking permission before you take their photo.

8. Avoid single-use plastics

Every year,  8 million  metric tons of plastic ends up in our oceans. This is equivalent to one garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the ocean every single minute of every single day. In recent years, a growing number of consumers, companies, and governments started rejecting single-use plastics. But over the past year, single use plastics made a comeback as the pandemic led to an increased reliance on plastic gloves, takeout containers, packing bubbles, and grocery bags. As tourism recovers, many hotels and tour operators are reinstituting disposable plastics as an added hygiene precaution. But many countries lack sufficient waste management infrastructure to keep up with the amount of plastic trash that is produced by tourists and locals. As a result, plastics end up in overflowing landfills or dumped in the environment where they can remain for hundreds of years. With the increased reliance on plastics due to COVID, it’s even more important to cut down your own consumption when you travel.

One of the most common plastic items used by tourists is single-use beverage bottles. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: bring your own reusable water bottle on your trip! If you’re worried about the water quality in the destination you’re visiting, bring a water bottle with a built-in purifier. Refillable toiletry bottles are another eco-friendly item to add to your packing list.

Another easy way to reduce plastic waste is by changing your eating habits. When going to a restaurant, dine-in rather than getting takeout which typically comes with plastic bags, containers, cups, and utensils. Hit up the local street food scene, but opt for vendors that dish up their goodies in biodegradable alternatives. Some travelers also choose to bring their own reusable container and utensils. In general, it’s best to eat fresh, local foods or drinks instead of imported ones which tend to use more packaging. Even something as simple as asking the bartender to skip the straw can help trigger larger operational changes.

9. Visit parks and protected areas

National parks, marine sanctuaries, and other protected areas play an important role in protecting our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity. Many countries rely on tourism fees such as entrance fees, operator permits, or bed levies to preserve these special places and animals. Every year, more than  8 billion  people visit the world’s protected areas, generating about $850 billion in spending. These dollars help fund the conservation activities necessary to protect these areas while also providing income to local communities.

The pandemic essentially cut off this revenue stream, putting many protected areas and endangered species in jeopardy. Over the past year, there have been an alarming number of reports of increased poaching and illegal deforestation around the world. Rising poverty has only compounded the problem as local communities resort to destructive activities for income and sustenance.

As you’re planning your post-COVID travels, look up the protected areas in your destination and add one to your itinerary. When visiting any natural area, be sure to minimize your impact by acting in a responsible manner. Avoid degrading sensitive environments or disturbing wildlife, comply with all visitor guidelines, and follow the  Leave No Trace Principles . Along with paying any usage fees, be sure to support local communities by booking local accommodations and service providers.

> Learn more about how tourism benefits nature and wildlife. 

10. Choose sustainable accommodations and operators

Our final tip focuses on how you can drive businesses to change their practices and help to mainstream sustainable travel. The best way you can influence the industry is by seeking out businesses that are lessening their environmental impact and contributing to the well-being of local communities.

While many companies have embraced sustainable travel, there are still plenty of businesses that don’t see the value. Let them know that sustainability matters to you by putting your money where your mouth is. Keep in mind that just because a company markets themselves as ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ doesn’t mean they necessarily are. Look for information about the specific practices and policies that they’ve implemented, and ask questions to show that you’re factoring sustainability into your purchase decisions. What energy and water conservation practices do they have in place? Have they eliminated single-use plastics? How do they promote diversity and inclusion? Do they hire local people for management roles? Do they prioritize local suppliers and producers? Do they promote responsible interactions with wildlife?

If you notice other practices that the business could adopt, be sure to share your feedback. You can also write online reviews or share your experience  in our  Travel Better Facebook Group  to help other travelers identify sustainable businesses.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and are feeling inspired for your next trip!  Click here to sign our Travel Better Pledge and join the sustainable travel movement.

• March 9, 2021
• Blog , Climate Change , Nature & Wildlife , People & Culture , Sustainable Travel , Waste & Pollution

Recent Posts

Climate impact update – 2024 portfolio 2, what is biochar and how is it a tool for sustainable tourism, biochar carbon removal training in thailand, kudos carbon offsetting feature demo, kudos travel technology partners with sustainable travel international to implement its climate impact apis to scale carbon mitigation efforts, climate impact update – q4 2023 and 2024 portfolio 1.

• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• January 2023
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• November 2020
• October 2020
• August 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• October 2018
• September 2018
• February 2018
• December 2017
• November 2017
• October 2017
• September 2017
• August 2017
• February 2017
• October 2016
• September 2016
• February 2016
• November 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015
• September 2014
• © 2024 | Sustainable Travel International
• Privacy Policy

Download Our Sustainable Travel Tips List

Subscribe to get your free tips list, plus sustainable travel emails and content

Check your inbox for our Sustainable Travel Tips.

How to Be a Sustainable Traveler: 18 Tips

These sustainable travel tips will help you become a more responsible traveler

• Chapman University

• Harvard University Extension School
• Sustainable Fashion
• Art & Media

Being a sustainable traveler means keeping your ecological footprint low while supporting ethical economic development in local communities affected by tourism. That means everything from minimizing plastic consumption and making greener transportation choices to eating at locally owned restaurants and booking eco conscious accommodations.

The goal of sustainable travel is to meet the needs of the tourism industry without harming natural and cultural environments. If not managed properly, tourism can have incredibly negative impacts, from the loss of a destination’s cultural identity to the depletion of natural resources, pollution, and degradation of ecosystems. In many cases, tourism can be a valuable tool to help support communities and give back to nature.

1. Make Smarter Flight Choices

Air travel emissions make up a whopping 20% of a tourist’s carbon footprint. If you must fly, be sure to pack light to lessen the plane’s load and try to book a non-stop flight. On average, non-stop flights reduce carbon emissions by 100 kg per person compared to connecting options. Not only do connecting flights usually require flying greater total distances, planes use more fuel during taxi, take off, and descent.

Londolozi Images / Getty Images

2. Switch to Reusables

Rather than buying plastic water bottles on your travels, bring along a reusable water bottle instead. If you’re heading to a destination with questionable water quality, look into a water purifying system or tablets. Bring along reusable utensils, tote bags, containers, and straws so you can say no to single use plastic while shopping or eating out.

3. Skip Travel Size Toiletries

Single use travel size toiletry bottles are a huge source of tourism-related plastic pollution and help contribute to the nearly 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution dumped into the oceans annually. Switch to refillable and reusable bottles made of glass, silicone, or even recycled plastic material and fill them up with products from your larger sized bottles at home. Even huge chains like Marriott have begun to phase out single use travel toiletries, citing the fact that their properties send 500 million mini plastic bottles into landfills each year.

4. Be Mindful of Local Resources

Pay attention to how much water you’re using while on vacation by opting for short showers instead of baths and turning off the water while brushing teeth or shaving. Fill up your refillable and reusable travel containers with an eco friendly biodegradable soap and shampoo, especially while camping.

Local resources can also include necessities like emergency services and hospital beds. Always research weather conditions and terrain before hiking or taking a road trip to avoid getting lost or injured and having to get rescued, which can drain important public resources and tax dollars.

5. Do Your Research

Look for accommodations, destination, products, and tour companies that have been deemed sustainable by a legitimate certifying body. In the sustainable tourism world, that means organizations like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council , The Rainforest Alliance , and Earth Check .

Sustainably-minded travelers should always be on the lookout for greenwashing in the travel industry, as well. Any company can call themselves sustainable or “green” in an attempt to attract eco-minded customers, so it is important to research ahead of time to find out what specific sustainable actions they’re taking. If a company has done the work to develop responsible tourism policies that include environmental and social impacts, they’ll have the information displayed on their website. If not, don’t be afraid to ask.

6. Respect Natural Places

Ronda Kimbrow / Getty Images

Remember that marked hiking trails are there for a reason, usually to help preserve the surrounding environment and keep native flora out of harm’s way. Take out what you brought in and don’t litter. Keep your distance from wildlife and never feed or touch wild animals, for your own safety and for the safety of the animals themselves.

In beach areas, use reef safe sunscreen without harmful ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, and never step on coral or stir up sediment (which can also cause damage to the ecosystem).

7. Support Locals Directly

Seeking out local experiences like homestays and hiring local guides is the best way to learn about a new culture — while also ensuring that your money goes directly toward stimulating the local economy.

Purchasing handmade souvenirs and art created by indigenous artisans can help preserve authentic cultural heritage and provide jobs. Food that is grown locally and businesses that are owned and operated by local families are often better quality and more budget friendly, all while helping keep money in local pockets.

8. Go Low Impact

Choose vacations that demand less resources and make less of an impact on the environment, such as camping or even glamping . If you go the more traditional vacation route, opt for low impact activities that will have zero to minimal impact on the environment, such as kayaking or hiking. 

9. Find Ways to Give Back

Consider the ways that you can contribute to the local community and give back while traveling. This can be as simple as picking up a piece of trash in the park or volunteering for a beach clean up. If you’re planning a trip where volunteering is your primary objective , make sure that the charity has strong links with host communities and isn’t taking jobs away from local people. There has been a lot of debate as to whether or not “voluntourism” does more harm than good, and in many cases, you’re better off donating money or goods through a reputable organization.  

Pack for a Purpose helps connect travelers with charities to provide supplies needed for specific communities.

10. Don’t Support Unethical Wildlife Tourism

If you want to view wildlife, see them in their natural habitats or go to accredited wildlife sanctuaries that work to rescue and rehabilitate animals. When it comes to ecotourism, check with advocacy groups like the International Ecotourism Society for organizations that follow strict sustainable tourism practices.

Supporting activities like cub petting and elephant riding helps encourage abusive industries that often illegally capture animals from the wild. Never buy products made from wildlife parts, as this helps support marketplaces for animal trafficking.

11. Don’t Leave Your Sustainable Habits at Home

If you’re a regular Treehugger reader, chances are you already have plenty of sustainable practices you use every day, so continue to use them while traveling. Turn the lights off and the air conditioning down when you leave a room, and ask your hotel about their recycling program. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean your sustainable lifestyle has to fly out the window. 

12. Respect Local Culture and Traditions

Do some research on the culture and traditions of a destination before you travel; it will not only help you make a connection to the place, but also help ensure that you honor the local customs. Even better, learn the language or a few important words and simple phrases such as “please,” and “thank you.” If you run across a local ceremony while on your travels, keep a respectful distance.

13. Stay Longer

Tourism transportation demands affects energy use and CO2 emissions, but also puts pressures on infrastructure and land. Shorter lengths of stays that focus on restricted time budgets can lead to high concentrations of tourist flows in “must see” attractions, while tourists who stay longer are more likely to visit more small businesses in locations outside of main tourist areas. Instead of planning trips where you try to visit as many places or see as much as possible in a short amount of time, consider staying in one spot for longer and really getting a feel for the area.

14. Be Adaptable and Understanding

One of the best parts of traveling is seeing new things and having new experiences. Keeping an open mind and not demanding everything that you’re used to in your own country will put less pressure on your destination and its people. Not to mention, you’ll probably have a better time.

15. Travel Shorter Distances

Tourism is responsible for about 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation accounts for nearly half of global tourism’s carbon footprint. That doesn’t mean you have to give up your lifelong dream of visiting the Eiffel Tower, just don’t count out the unique experiences available in your very own country or closer to home. If you do want to visit popular tourist destinations, go during off season or shoulder season .

16. Walk as Much as Possible

A majority of tourism’s environmental footprint can be attributed to transport, but that doesn’t just include airplanes. A tourist’s first stop after arriving at a new destination is often the airport car rental counter, so that they can get to their accommodation or head off to see the sights. Instead, sustainable travelers use every opportunity to walk, bike, or utilize public transportation in order to avoid those transportation related emissions. Check if your destination has a bike sharing program or has an easy-to-navitage train system, you might even save some money at the same time.

17. Look Into Carbon Offsets

Sustainable travelers should always try to reduce their carbon footprint first, but offsetting can be a useful tool in situations where reducing your footprint might be more difficult.

Carbon offsetting involves compensating for generated greenhouse gas emissions by reducing emission elsewhere. For example, TerraPass lets users calculate their carbon footprint from vehicles, public transit, air travel, and home energy before providing ways to contribute to sustainable projects like water restoration and wind power.

18. Share What You’ve Learned

Share sustainable travel tips with friends, family members, and fellow travelers; even small changes can make a huge difference. Travel teaches us how to better understand the world by introducing us to new cultures and customs different than our own. Plus, humans are innate explorers, so traveling will always be a massive industry. If we can share ways to make travel more environmentally friendly, respectful, and sustainable, we can highlight the valuable aspects of tourism and reduce the negative ones.

Start with switching up your modes of transportation. Take ground transport instead of flying when possible and public transport instead of your own vehicle. For shorter distances, try walking or cycling. It also helps to travel slower, focusing on one destination or city instead of trying to explore an entire region.

Regenerative travel is a step above sustainable travel. It means traveling in a way that not only produces no impact but is actually beneficial to local communities and the environment. You might do this by volunteering or staying at an agritourismo.

Look for the Global Sustainable Tourism Council certification. GSTC is an independent, neutral organization that establishes and monitors global standards for destinations and tourism companies all over the world.

Debbage, Keith, and Neil Debbage. " Aviation Carbon Emissions, Route Choice, and Tourist Destinations: Are Non-Stop Routes a Remedy? " Annals of Tourism Research , vol. 79, 2019, pp. 102765, doi:10.1016/j.annals.2019.102765

" Fuel Conversation Strategies: Takeoff and Climb ." Boeing.

" Breaking the Plastic Wave ." Pew Charitable Trusts.

" Marriott International To Eliminate Single-Use Shower Toiletry Bottles From Properties Worldwide, Expanding Successful 2018 Initiative ." Marriott International.

" Is Your Sunscreen Killing the Coral Reef? " Ocean Conservancy.

Gossling, Stefan, et al. " Global Trends in Length of Stay: Implications for Destination Management and Climate Change ." Journal of Sustainable Tourism , vol. 26, no. 12, 2018, pp. 2087-2101, doi:10.1080/09669582.2018.1529771

Lenzen, Manfred, et al. " The Carbon Footprint of Global Tourism ." Nature Climate Change , vol. 8, 2018, pp. 522-528, doi:10.1038/s41558-018-0141-x

• Regenerative Travel: What It Is and How It's Outperforming Sustainable Tourism
• What Is Sustainable Tourism and Why Is It Important?
• 'The Last Tourist' Film Will Make You Approach Travel Differently
• What Is Ecotourism? Definition, Examples, and Pros and Cons
• 10 Ways to Be an Eco-Conscious Tourist
• Best of Green Awards 2021: Sustainable Travel
• What Is Overtourism and Why Is It Such a Big Problem?
• How to Become a Geo-Traveler
• 5 Easy Tips to Make Travel More Sustainable
• These Travel Companies Offer Tours for a Post-Pandemic World
• Some Advice on How to Travel More Intentionally
• Philadelphia Urges Residents to Be Tourists in Their Own City
• Should All Travel Companies Adopt Carbon Labeling?
• 22 Sustainable Swaps to Make at Home
• Can Down Be Ethical or Green?
• Responsible Travel Plans to Ban All Short-Haul Jet Flights

Traveling Tulls

Eco-Travel in Retirement – Nature and Sustainable Luxury Travel

35 Tips for Responsible Tourism: a Complete Eco Travel Guide

Sustainable Travel … Is it possible to be both an environmentally responsible world traveler? Can we explore the world without causing harm to the planet and its cultures? The answer lies in the concept of responsible tourism, which seeks to strike a balance between fulfilling our travel desires and safeguarding the environment and culture for future generations. In this article, we’ll delve into the essence of responsible tourism, its significance, and discover changes we can make to travel in a more eco-friendly way.

I love travel and I love nature, so I’ve always tried to travel ‘green’. But years ago I learned what responsible travel really is. While staying at an eco-resort, I looked for gifts to bring home. The shop’s manager kept suggesting baskets made by the local people, but I chose bracelets (easier to pack). I remember her displeasure but didn’t really understand until we were leaving the country and I saw these same bracelets in every shop in the airport. Those bracelets were imported just for the tourists. My purchase hadn’t supported the local community at all. How was this wildlife reserve to be sustained if the community didn’t profit from tourism?

Table of Contents

Travel will always have an impact on a destination .

Many people ask if it’d be better if we all just stayed home and reduced the carbon emissions from travel? Though this seems logical, in fact tourism is one of the most significant incentives towards preserving the natural and cultural treasures of the world. Without the travel industry most of the nature reserves throughout the world would have been converted to farmland.

The impact of travel on destinations cannot be denied, but whether this impact is beneficial or detrimental depends on how we travel. Irresponsible tourism can damage fragile ecosystems, exploit local communities, and lead to cultural dilution. However, when done responsibly, tourism can bring economic benefits to an area, improve the standard of living for locals, and ensure the protection of natural and cultural treasures.

Examples of sustainable tourism show promise in many countries around the world. In these countries, the tourist industry has committed to high standards of environmental development, education, and coordination with the local communities. And the results have been remarkable. Since Costa Rica began its sustainable development programs, unemployment has fallen below 10%, and the quality of life in the country has risen to among the best in the world.

What is Responsible and Sustainable Tourism?

• The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable travel as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,”
• The World Tourism Organization defines it as the “management of all resources in such a way that economic, social, and aesthetic needs can be fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity, and life support systems.”
• From the Global Sustainable Tourism Council : “Responsible travel refers to the behavior of individual travelers aspiring to make choices according to sustainable tourism practices. The behaviors usually align with minimizing the negative impacts and maximizing positive ones when one visits a tourism destination.”

Responsible tourism definition in simple words

For our purposes, responsible tourism means travel that is a positive experience for both the tourist and the local community. Responsible tourists plan their travel (and behave on the trip) to support sustainability.

Sustainability occurs when three factors – Social justice, Environmental protection, and Economic viability – are in balance. These factors are often called the three pillars of sustainability. Tourism that is sustainable protects the natural environments and the cultural heritage, addresses climate change, minimizes plastics and waste, AND expands economic development in the area communities. Responsible tourism doesn’t make life more difficult for the local community.

Easy Eco-Friendly Travel Tips

It can be overwhelming to look at the challenges of our world and try to figure out how we can address them. We can’t ‘fix’ things ourselves, but if we work on our own ‘little bit of good’, together we will make a positive impact. This wisdom from Reverend Tutu is as relevant to traveling as to everything else.

Start where you are. Make a small change in your travel style today, and, when you’re ready or can afford it, make a bigger change later. Every step towards being a responsible tourist helps.

Here are our sustainable travel tips, beginning with the easy, inexpensive, and often FREE (🐸) things you can do:

Sustainable Travel Tips: Baby Steps

Eliminate/reduce single-use plastics.

• Carry a reusable water bottle.
• Avoid plastic bags by bringing your own shopping sack from home. 🐸
• Remove packaging from products (& recycle) before leaving home. (Some locations don’t have resources for recycling.) 🐸
• Fill reusable containers with your preferred shampoo/conditioner from home. 🐸
• Say no to plastic straws and plastic bottles🐸 Bigger Steps : purchase (or assemble) a packable cutlery set. pack some reusable straws, eliminate items that contain microplastics from your travel AND home cleansing routine.

Save water with small changes

• Take shorter showers 🐸
• Turn off water when brushing teeth, or shaving 🐸
• Reuse bath towels and linens (put the Do Not Disturb sign on hotel doors)🐸

Conserve electricity

• Turn off lights when you leave a room. 🐸
• Raise (or lower) thermostat when possible. 🐸

Don’t Litter!

• Carry out all your trash and dispose of it responsibly.

• Every pound of luggage adds to your airlines fuel expenditure and airplane emissions. National Geographic breaks down the cost of everything you carry on a flight here: The Hidden Costs of Flying
• Bigger Step : as items in your wardrobe and gear wear out, replace them with travel-friendly options made with sustainable fabric materials . Clothing that is lightweight and odor resistant will reduce the weight of your luggage and the necessity or doing laundry

Research potential activities

• Respect the local cultures and traditions- look for authentic opportunities to interact with locals. Dress respectfully and adhere to local customs. Remember, we’re guests in their home.
• Avoid unethical wildlife experiences – enjoy the area or observe wildlife at a respectful distance. Wildlife lovers, look for ethical travel experiences to enjoy, such as visiting the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya , where orphaned elephants are raised before being reintroduced to the wild.
• Avoid tourist attractions that lack authenticity, such as factory tours disguised as selling opportunities. Often these activities do not represent the local culture.

Be camera smart

Don’t be photo obsessed. Travel is about more than the photos you post on social media. Take time to enjoy the surroundings with all your senses. But when you’re ready to take a picture:

• Be aware while taking pictures. Don’t stand in the middle of the street to take a picture. Don’t take selfies with wild animals.
• Be respectful. Don’t take selfies at somber memorial sites.

Support LOCAL

• consult and hire local guides – check online for recommendations on local tour operators. We found a guide for a bird watching tour in Portugal by consulting a Lisbon birding club online.
• buy from regional artisans to support the local economies rather than hitting the tourist kiosks where the majority of items are imported.
• Be aware of the food resources in the area you’re visiting and eat as the locals do. Importing food to suit a western diet is expensive and unsustainable. Visiting Argentina? have a steak! Visiting Bermuda? skip the steak and have seafood instead. Making conscientious choices to eat what is local and available is one of the best ways to travel green AND eat great food.

Respect the local people

It might seem like common sense but apparently many people forget their manners when they’re traveling. Responsible travelers don’t make the locals’ lives more difficult.

• Learn a few words in the local language.
• Always ask permission before taking a person’s picture. And ask if it’s OK to share to social media. Be particularly respectful of children’s images.
• Respect the locals’ privacy. Don’t use drones or other annoying technology in neighborhoods or on crowded streets.
• Learn about the region’s cultural norms before you leave home.

Basically follow the golden rule – ‘do unto others as you’d want them to do unto you.’ If you wouldn’t want someone filming social media reels on your front yard, don’t do it on theirs.

For help finding eco-sustainable travel products consult our gift guides, Eco-Friendly Gifts for Travelers and Stocking Stuffers for Travelers .

Sustainable Travel Tips: Big Steps

For a step-by-step guide to planning a responsible trip (and our case study); read How to Put Together a Sustainable Travel Plan

Deciding on your destination

• Avoid over-tourism spots, and areas where human rights are threatened. over-tourism puts a huge strain on the resources of an area, raises prices for locals, and sadly is often destroying that which brings travelers to the area. Research your destination to find better places to visit.
• Choose slow travel. Traveling slow means you stay in one destination for a long time. This is a great way to really learn about a country and its people, and it’s much more eco friendly as you’re not continuously moving and changing lodgings.
• Travel in the off-season if you are heading someplace suffering from over-tourism. Added bonus- this ensures income for local communities during what may be their lean times.
• Travel is an opportunity to ‘vote’ with your wallet. If you have reservations about a country’s policies or human rights issues, don’t go.

Choosing your lodging

• Skip the all-inclusive resorts. Staying (and paying) for the all-inclusive aspect of these resorts discourages the traveler from patronizing local restaurants and shops. There is also a significant amount of food waste at these resorts.
• When possible, stay at a locally owned hotel, rather than and international chain hotel, to bring benefits to the local economy. (Avoid tourism leakage )
• Investigate whether your lodging choice employs local people.
• Many hotels and lodges are committed to green practices, have signed the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge, and certification programs acknowledge this. Check their website, and user reviews, before booking. Beware of greenwashing, where a business spends more on marketing their green practices than actually putting them into action.
• Book through a website like bookdifferent.com which monitors hotels for sustainable practices

Choosing your transportation option

• M- minimize – can you reduce the distance? can you combine trips to save repeat journeys?
• A – active – can you reach your destination, or explore at your destination on foot or bicycle? 🐸
• P- public transport – can you take public transportation to, or around, your destination? Trains are the most sustainable form of long distance travel.
• S- share a ride. Not usually possible on a trip, so I’d change S to sustainable vehicle. Check to see if there are sustainable options like electric or hybrid cars if you’re renting a vehicle away from home.

Fly direct whenever possible

• The most airline fuel is used for takeoff and landing. Direct flights may be more expensive but spend a little bit extra to lower your carbon footprint and your travel time!

Cruising – Do or Don’t?

• Research cruise lines carefully before booking. Some small ship lines have invested in more efficient engineering and have adopted environmentally friendly practices to lessen the negative impact of their cruises.
• Add a few days to the beginning and or end of your cruise to support, and enjoy, the country.
• Patronize local restaurants and artisan shops on shore days.
• Consider booking a shore tour directly through a local agency. We’ve done this many times when we’ve traveled with friends (shared the expense). Added bonus is you can organize the tour to your interests and avoid the tourist traps. See our posts on Dubrovnik and Rhodes .

🐸 – free (or almost free!) and easy ways to be a responsible traveler.

Offset some of your travel by reducing your carbon footprint at home .

Responsible Tourism Examples – the good news

Several countries have made strong commitments to developing responsible tourism. Here are just a few responsible travel examples that illustrate areas of success:

• The Republic of Palau requires that visitors sign a pledge promising to respect and protect the island’s natural environment and culture. This pledge, signed on arrival, is addressed to the children of Palau.
• Sweden ranks #1 for sustainability by Euromonitor. Its programs for renewable energy and water sources are very successful.
• Slovenia has won many sustainability awards and was rated the best place for green travel in 2019. Ljubljana won a sustainable tourism award as part of the selection for the 2019 European Capital of Smart Tourism. We visited Slovenia several years ago and were impressed by how completely litter free it is!
• Costa Rica’s certification of sustainability process is being adopted around the world. Additionally, Costa Rica leads much of the world in reforestation.
• The United Republic of Tanzania has dedicated 38% of its land to conservation.

Care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility – Wendell Berry

Getting the Tourist to Travel Responsibly

In most cases people travel to enjoy a different part of the world. Whether they are looking for a pristine beach or anticipating walking in ancient ruins, the tourist has placed a value on their chosen destination. Recent studies reveal that a vast majority of people want to be more responsible in their travel. They are increasingly conscious of the potential harm caused by over-tourism and the environmental impact of carbon emissions from travel. While the desire to travel more eco-friendly is strong, many travelers are challenged to do it.

According to a survey conducted by Booking.com survey the primary concern regarding eco-friendly travel was the perceived cost. 42% of the respondents said that the added expenses associated with sustainable travel were keeping them from adopting green travel practices.

Following closely behind was the lack of knowledge about sustainable tourism practices. Nearly a third of respondents shared their desire to travel in a more responsible way but felt they lacked the necessary know-how to do so.

Let’s take advantage of people’s desire to travel responsibly and share practical ideas on how sustainable options can be both easy and budget-friendly! Learning to travel responsibly is just the beginning. Once we’ve made positive changes to our own journeys, we need to share the experience with others. Help them to see that it’s easy and rewarding to travel in an environmentally friendly way. Together we can be a positive force in making travel more sustainable.

Additional Information on Responsible Tourism – definitions, and challenges

Ecotourism: is sustainable travel the same as ecotourism.

The term eco-tourism was coined in the 1970s and is loosely defined as responsible travel in natural areas. Thus, eco travel is a type of sustainable travel, focused on nature. Promoting responsible eco travel in natural areas, e.g., safaris in Africa, or trekking in National Parks , is the most effective way to ensure that these natural areas, and the wildlife living there, will survive.

Irresponsible tourism

Irresponsible tourism can happen anywhere but is on the rise with over-tourism. When travelers seeking the perfect Instagram shot climb on a historic fountain, or stray off the trail in a National Park, the fountain or the environment can be damaged. Likewise, when travelers leave trash or graffiti behind, the sought over destination is spoiled for the next visitor.

• Unintended irresponsible tourism happens when travelers take risks which can end up requiring their rescue. Check the weather before heading into the mountains, keep a respectful distance from wildlife, follow the guidance of rangers, etc.

Mass Tourism

Mass tourism is a somewhat negative term for affordable group travel. This includes inexpensive group tours, cruising, etc., anything that has opened the door of travel to most people. Before the onset of mass tourism, travel was a luxury of the wealthy. The grand tour was a fixture in ‘upper-class’ families, a coming-of-age adventure for (primarily) young men. But when companies like Thomas Cook began offering reasonably priced group tours, the world became accessible to ‘regular’ people. To my mind, this is a good thing, but it is not without its negative effects.

• on many mass tourism trips, the revenue stays with the operator. Travelers don’t stay at locally owned hotels, or frequent local restaurants. If you do choose to cruise, or book a group tour, make sure to have a meal or two at a local restaurant. You’ll have a more authentic experience and give back to the host communities.

Over-tourism

Over-tourism happens when popular destinations gets more tourists than they can accommodate sustainably. The experience is detrimental to the tourist and the destination. The tourist can’t enjoy the view of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice with a hundred selfie-sticks in the way. And the people of Venice can’t go about their regular life with so many people jamming their pathways, and local shops turned into tourist traps. This is a major issue for the city. In fact, over-tourism often leads to the locals being displaced from their communities due to rising costs of rent, essentials, and utilities.

• over-tourism often centers the traveler on the big attractions while missing the genuine city they’re visiting. For example, visitors to NYC crowd Times Square and miss the fascinating neighborhoods of the city. They come away feeling that NYC was just tall buildings and neon lights, rather than a living city.

Regenerative Travel – the sustainable future of travel?

With all of us doing our part to travel in a responsible way, the tourism industry can begin to generate regenerative travel – travel that actually improves an area for nature and the local population. We have an opportunity to make our favorite places in the world even better for future generations.

Tourism leakage

Tourism leakage is when the money generated by tourism actually leaves the country, with little benefit to the local communities. The infrastructure of tourism – roads, airports, etc. – are maintained by the local economy which in some cases may only get 10-20% of the tourism revenue. For more information read What Is Economic Tourism Leakage? How to Prevent Its Negative Impact

It’s gratifying that many destinations, and businesses, have committed to sustainability, but it is essential that we, as tourists, do our part by being responsible travelers. By making simple changes in how we plan our trips, what we pack, and how we engage with the local communities, we can have a huge impact in protecting what we love .

Please share your eco-friendly travel tips in the comments. But also share with your friends and family. Spread the word on how easy and rewarding it can be to travel sustainably.

Amy Tull and Team

• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Nature and Birding in Costa Rica: a World of Strange & Wonderful Beauty
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ How to Survive a Long Flight: be comfortable even in Economy Seats (2024)
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Best Time to Travel to Machu Picchu, Peru: a traveler’s guide (2024)
• Amy Tull and Team https://travelingtulls.com/author/gramma2chance/ Undercover Birding: how to enjoy birdwatching while traveling with friends

Amy, a writer on responsible bucket list travel, is your reliable source for insightful travel advice. With a career background in libraries, and a degree in biology and mathematics, Amy's approach to travel is rooted in meticulous research and planning, and her commitment to eco-conscious adventures.

Amy’s dedication to sustainable travel practices, including efficient packing techniques, ensures that every adventure leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the traveler's well-being. Trust Amy to guide you towards meaningful and eco-friendly travel, making the most of your retirement years.

A lifelong New England resident, Amy is also the source for insider tips on travel in the Northeastern U.S.

• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ 25 Tips to Conquer Travel Anxiety: How to Make Travel Easier (and almost stress-free!)
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Easy Elegance: 3 Capsule Wardrobe Templates for Travel Planning
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Navigating the Amazon and Caribbean with Viking: An Honest Review (2024)
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Elegance at Sea: An Authentic Viking Ocean Cruises Review

Share this:

26 thoughts on “ 35 Tips for Responsible Tourism: a Complete Eco Travel Guide ”

An overview of sustainable travel. Thank you 😊🌍

This is such a great guide! I’ve been trying to focus on sustainable travel by staying in eco lodges, taking sustainable modes of transportation and eating from small local farmers. I love all of the recommendations you include for both small and big steps!

Eating locally sourced food is such a huge benefit to the community. Thanks!

Love these tips! I definitely need to start doing more research on the green practices of the the places I’m staying at

This is such an interesting read. As someone who travels frequently I try to do my best to reduce the impact I have, but it certainly isn’t always easy. I love the idea of regenerative travel and this is something I’ll definitely look into more. Thank you for providing such a useful resource.

It really can be a challenge.

Thank you so much for this post. It’s so important that we travel sustainably and responsibly. I loved learning about what destinations are doing for sustainability. I had no idea that Sweden and Tanzania are doing so much to do good for the planet. Thank you again!

It’s wonderful to see countries stepping up like this, isn’t it!

I’ve recently been trying to travel in a more sustainable way, so I really enjoyed reading your post! Thanks for sharing all these tips!

Great tips, and love that you graded them from easy, beginner steps to upgrades – it does reflect that change is not an overnight process.

On all-inclusive resorts, I rarely choose them because indeed, you never get out of them once you’re in! But one context when I would be on board, is if I’m going to a place that’s remote, such that the lodge or resort has to plan to supply you in advance, and where keeping you mostly contained in the resort is a good thing for the environment (for example, in a protected habitat).

Definitely! Most ‘Eco-lodges’ are contained as you’re in a remote location. I guess When I hear “all inclusive” I’m thinking beachy all-you-can-eat resorts…

An in-depth post supplying great information. I have also been to Ljubljana and noticed its “green credentials”. I try to find hotels and lodges that take sustainability seriously. One I recently stayed in had done away with individual shampoos etc and converted to refillable containers. A small step but a good one to reduce plastic waste.

All these little steps are great. Though recently I was frustrated in getting paper straws at a restaurant where everything else was swallowed by plastic.

Great guide! Whenever I read any posts on sustainable tourism I pick up more that I could do & this is one of the better posts I’ve read. I particularly like your comment at the start about tourism being essential for the sustainability of culture & historic monuments. So much to consider, thanks for sharing.

Thanks Sue!

I loved this thoughtful and well researched post. I particularly loved how you laid it out in attainable goals for travelers. thanks.

• Pingback: Celebrating 15 Awesome Mature Bloggers in 2021 to inspire you | The Silver Nomad
• Pingback: 1 Day in San Diego Itinerary - AprilCoxTravel

Thank you for a great guide! As someone who is disabled, I wish there were more easy ways to combine eco tourism with accessible travel. I focus on what I can, but it would be nice if the two were easier to combine.

Hi Kristin, yes that is definitely a challenge. I know the U.S. National Parks are making an effort but most ecotourism destinations are not accessible.

There can never be enough said about sustainable travel. It is such an important topic and we have such a great chance to make an impact here. Lovely post, very comprehensive!

This is a thorough and super helpful post for understanding a complex issue – balancing the benefits of travel with the concerns of over-tourism and destruction of natural resources. I learned many new things from reading this: greenwashing was a new term for me.

Thank you for so much information it is fantastic… as we travel more…I am mindful of all the things mentioned here and moving us to travel more sustainably… thank you for your help

These are all such great sustainable travel tips! I always try to support locals when I travel and bring reusable toiletries with me.

• Pingback: The Ultimate Guide to Green Trip Planning Tips for Eco-Friendly Travelers – Clean Vacation
• Pingback: Sustainable Travel: How to Explore the World Responsibly - Crystal Mast's Travel Site

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from traveling tulls.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

A Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel

By Katherine LaGrave

Being a responsible traveler sounds simple in theory: Just go green. Take care of the environment. But when it comes time to actually taking action, it can get a bit overwhelming. Where to start? And what to pack?

With this in mind, we’ve compiled 26 actually doable steps to be an eco-friendly traveler. Some—like ditching single-use plastics—will have an effect on the environment, while others—like bringing a journal—will help hold you accountable and contribute to a culture of awareness. Others will require you to spend more, but many cost nothing at all. Don’t sweat it if you can’t tackle all 26 on the next trip, or the next, or the next. Even a few small changes to your travel lifestyle will lead to a better trip for you and Mother Earth, whether you're heading to Senegal or Sweden .

A is for avoiding the buffet

Put down that spoonful of soggy eggs in the hotel buffet line and order à la carte instead. Though there have been improvements in recent years, buffets are still incredibly wasteful. The U.S. alone generates 63 million tons of food waste annually, with an estimated 40 percent of that from consumer-serving businesses like hotels and restaurants, reports the New York Times . Only 10 to 15 percent of that food can be donated or repurposed because of food safety regulations. It comes down to this: Hotels are worried about seeming like they don’t have enough food, so they overcompensate—and waste. By avoiding the buffet, you’re casting your vote—one bite at a time.

B is for bringing your own amenities

All those little toiletries tubes? Yep, they’re terrible for the environment because they generally aren't biodegradable, which is why you’ll see more and more hotels adopting containers secured to the wall instead of ones that are largely useless after one wash (hey, we’ve got a lot of hair). Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in reusable bottles, and better yet, take the unused samples, donate them to your local homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, or community non-profit. Then encourage the hotel to adopt more eco-friendly policies.

C is for choosing a green destination

Supporting places that are working to combat climate change and preserve their local ecosystems is a big step in protecting the planet. Just a few of these destinations? Slovenia , Portugal, Lake Tahoe, and Sani Isla, Ecuador, all of whom were singled out at the 2018 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards for their focus on going green, whether it be showing innovation in sustainable tourism (Portugal) or protecting their natural habitats (Sani Isla).

Overpacking has more consequences than just putting stress on your suitcase's zippers.

D is for dropping pounds

Packing efficiently for a flight not only helps you narrow down what you truly need, it also reduces an aircraft’s carbon emissions. To lighten your load, cut out clothes that aren’t multipurpose and get rid of paper weight by downloading books on an iPad or e-reader . The next time you feel that familiar urge to complain about baggage rules and fees, remember that the lighter the aircraft, the less fuel it burns. The airline matters, too: A 2017 study from the International Council on Clean Transportation shows that Alaska Airlines continues to be a fuel-efficient leader; Frontier, Spirit, Southwest, and Hawaiian rounded out the top five.

E is for employing e-tickets

Scan your smartphone, save a tree (not really, but almost).

F is for flicking off the lights

Sure, some bulbs are more affected by the number of times they’re switched on and off than by the length of time they’re left on, but a good rule of thumb is to turn off the lights you don’t need. Reducing energy use = decreasing power plant emissions = protecting the air = preventing climate change.

G is for getting by without a car

Using Uber Pool and Lyft Line to share a ride may make you feel a little better, but the reality is that cars in general are still not ideal: they pollute the environment, lead to congestion, and compete with public transportation for the affection of travelers. Public transportation is good; walking is even better.

H is for hitting up hotels

“Aside from air travel, properties have some of the greatest impact in terms of energy use, food, and being LEED-certified,” says Jim Sano, the World Wildlife Fund's vice president focused on tourism and conservation. Check a hotel’s website for a "Responsible Travel," "Environment," or "Good Stewards" section—if they’ve spent time, energy, and money to be low-impact, says Sano, they’ll likely have this information displayed. For a list of global vendors, destinations, and hotels that abide by certain sustainability standards, explore the database at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council . Here, too, are a few of our favorite eco-friendly resorts .

I is for Instagramming

Resist the urge to pick up your phone and geotag everywhere you go. Social science shows that traveling for the ‘gram is on the up and up, and that it’s changing how we “discover.” Consider Wyoming: Last year, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board asked travelers to stop geotagging , saying the flood of visitors to little-known places meant that trails were being eroded. It also just means less engagement in the ways that actually count. “We want people to have a real connection to nature, not just a page with a pin on it,” Brian Modena, a tourism board member, told the New York Times .

J is for journaling

We’re not perfect, and it’s easy for travelers to want to splurge, to indulge, or to still visit Santorini , even as it struggles under the weight of overtourism . We get that. Bring a journal on your trip, both because it helps you remember things better , and because it helps hold you accountable to ways in which you could be more eco-friendly. (We’ve got a list of our top picks here , but journaling on a phone or tablet will save you paper.) Look back at your entry from the day before: What’s something you can do better today?

K is for keeping it local

Part of being responsible when you travel is making sure you’re not perpetuating any negative cycles. Eat in locally owned restaurants, and stay in locally owned lodges, hotels, and B&Bs. Buy locally made handicrafts and products that double as practical, everyday items, so you're not stuck with a dust-inducing souvenir you never use. Never buy crafts or gifts made from protected or endangered animals.

Heading out for the day from your hotel or Airbnb? Hit the lights before you leave.

L is for leaving no trace

Take a cue from leave-no-trace camping, where the goal is to have as little effect as possible on the destination: anything you carry into camp, you should carry out. Carry your own reusable bags, straws, utensils, and takeaway containers whenever you can, and you’ll be making a small but mighty change. “Although we all like to treat ourselves to bits and pieces before we travel, be aware that in many places recycling, or waste disposal full stop, is tricky. So leave packaging at home,” says Justin Francis, CEO of U.K.-based travel agency Responsible Travel .

M is for making sure you follow local recycling rules

Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you can—or should—skip on separating your plastics from your papers. Staying at a hotel? Ask about their recycling program. Talk to your Airbnb or vacation rental host, too, to see what local rules or best practices you need to follow.

N is for navigating responsibly

Remember those selfie-taking tourists who were wandering off of wooden walkways in Croatia’s Plitvice National Park and causing damage to the park’s waterfalls and forests? Or the woman who ignored signs to stay on trails and headed off to take a selfie with a crocodile in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park? If there’s a lesson here, it’s that selfies are so 2018, sure, but also that venturing off designated paths is dangerous for both you and the environment. There’s a reason trails exist where they do, after all.

O is for offsetting your impact

To find out how much carbon you “produce” on a trip, crunch the numbers and donate the monetary value to any number of organizations including Carbonfund.org and TerraPass . Some airlines even have a carbon offset option when booking your flight—any money donated will go toward reducing the emissions you're adding somewhere else. Plus, if you use Goodshop coupons to purchase anything from luggage to currency, a portion of what you spend can be donated back to an environmentally focused organization, like the Natural Resources Defense Council or Conservation International.

P is for putting up a fuss

Got a favorite airline? Grand. Are you a status member with that airline? Even better. Research their policies and be vocal about changes you'd like to see, whether it's ditching plastic on their flights or partnering with companies to offset their carbon. Same goes for hotels and tours of choice: by communicating with them that this is a priority for you, you're helping hold them accountable to more environmentally friendly options. In your correspondence, don't forget to mention other airlines or brands that are doing good things—nothing gets things moving like a little competition, after all.

Q is for quitting single-use plastics

Globally, almost 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually—half of which is single-use—and more than 8 million tons of that plastic are dumped into the ocean, according to the Plastic Oceans Foundation . Read up on countries and travel companies that have phased out single-use plastics , and think about how you can do so when you travel, by declining plastic straws, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic bags, and plastic cutlery.

R is for raising responsible travelers

Find opportunities to get younger members of your traveling pack involved where you can—perhaps it’s helping you sort recycling, or picking clothes they want to donate. Raising responsible travelers only helps the next generation, and the next—especially since they'll have to live on this planet long after you're gone.

Alex Erdekian

Jessica Puckett

Chemicals in traditional sunscreen are credited with bleaching our coral reefs—so swap in a reef-safe option on your next beach vacation.

S is for slapping on safe sunscreen

In July 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been found to increase coral bleaching . Make sure you’re slathered up with the good stuff, no matter where you're traveling: here’s a list of reef-safe sunscreens that we love .

T is for touring smartly

Choose companies that utilize the best environmental practices—even if it takes work, or added expense. “You’re paying for people who live and breathe this space and have thought about how they're going to do it in a way that has the least amount of impact,” says Sano. Doing so can also strengthen local communities: "Many of the tour operators who are best in class make an effort to leave a fair chunk of the money that travelers pay in-country—upwards of 60 percent.” Utilize a trusted travel specialist to help you sort the details.

U is for using that same towel again (and again)

We know, we know—this is a hot topic (so hot we’ve debated it ). But when it comes to what’s better for the environment, there’s no question that using the same hotel towel throughout your stay is the right choice: Laundry generally accounts for 16 percent of a hotel's water bill, according to Circle of Blue , which reports on water issues around the world.

V is for vowing to protect the destination

In 2017, Palau made history when it began requiring tourists to sign a stamped pledge at immigration that reads, "I take this pledge as your guest, to protect and preserve your beautiful island home. I vow to tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully.” Iceland, too, has an unofficial "oath" for tourists, as does New Zealand .

W is for welcoming the right kind of water bottles

We’ve already established that single-use plastics are terrible for the environment. If that doesn’t get you, consider that the average price of a water bottle at an airport is around $5—and that’s $5 you could have spent on Auntie Anne’s, we say. Here’s our list of the best water bottles to help you stay hydrated while traveling , from silicone glass-covered ones to insulated stainless steel tumblers.

X is for x-factoring

Francis of Responsible Travel says that the best thing you can do for a destination depends on, well, that destination. Research where you’re going, and see what part of your trip you can change to help—we’ll call this the X-factor. An example? “Using water sparingly in areas that experience droughts , or if you are going to see wildlife, then make sure this is done responsibly where the wildlife is put first, not the tourist,” he says.

Y is for yielding with a fuel-efficient car

Ok, ok. Say you skipped over “G” and have to have a car. So do Mother Earth a solid and reserve one of these fuel-efficient options , won’t you?

Z is for zooming out

When planning your next trip, look at the big picture, says Samantha Bray, Managing Director of the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) . “One of the biggest misconceptions is that traveling responsibly somehow puts a damper on your trip or is difficult. I would argue that the opposite is true. Traveling responsibly doesn’t mean giving something up. It means appreciating the place you are visiting and acting in a way that ensures it is taken care of for the community that lives there and future generations.”

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Sustainable travel: 6 simple tips to make a positive impact on your next trip

Apr 6, 2022 • 6 min read

Bring reusable bags for shopping © Imgorthand / Getty Images

Sustainable travel is about making smarter choices in every aspect of the trip. It starts at the beginning, when booking transport and accommodation, and comes into play when seeking out local experiences and being conscious of where you're investing your tourist dollars.

But that doesn't mean you need to totally overhaul your vacation. We've put together a list of practical tips that will help you along the way, even if you're just getting started on your sustainable travel journey. 

1. Travel off-peak or off-beat

In recent years, the global phenomenon of overtourism has begun straining infrastructure and ecosystems, and pricing locals out of communities. For a time it appeared that this trend wasn't slowing down, but then the  pandemic hit and holiday hotspots suddenly went from overtourism to no tourism.

As travel rebounds, many people are rethinking how they explore. Taking the road less traveled and visiting under-the-radar spots to avoid crowds is one way to be responsible.

But if you can't resist the lure of the big tourist districts, Justin Francis, CEO of activist travel company Responsible Travel , says you should travel off-peak . "If you really want to see the canals of Venice , or La Sagrada Familia of Barcelona , then consider traveling outside of summer or school holiday," he advises. "There will be far fewer people around, and the money you spend will help businesses that can struggle outside peak season."

The Points Guy:  Carbon offsetting: How to calculate your carbon footprint when you travel

2. Go by road or rail

Trains, planes and automobiles. Which one is best? Air travel is the natural enemy of sustainable travel because it wreaks havoc on the environment. The Swedes have even coined a new phrase, ' flygskam’ or ‘flight shame,’ to refer to the feeling of environmental guilt travelers have over flying. Unfortunately though, sometimes flying is non-negotiable. If you live in New York and need to visit Shanghai , you're not going to take the slow boat to China . So the best solution is to fly less.

9 best sleeper train journeys to take in Europe in 2022

"Instead of taking three or four short city breaks by air each year, aim to take one, longer trip by plane and a few ‘staycations’ or trips where you go by road or rail," recommends Francis. He notes that travelers should always choose economy class (as first class can have a much higher carbon footprint ) and fly direct where possible. "You can also look into which airlines have the lowest emissions per passenger mile . And wherever you can, travel overland in a destination instead of taking domestic flights."

I'm a Lonely Planet writer and I gave up flying. Here's what happened

3. Opt for eco-conscious accommodation

Eco-conscious accommodation has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, thanks to changing attitudes among consumers. Now the industry knows what's good for the planet is good for profit and hotels are starting to rack up serious eco-credentials. There are CO2-neutral stays on offer in places like The Brando in Tahiti, the Olakira Camp in the Serengeti , Vienna's Boutiquehotel Stadthalle and Hotel Kong Arthur in Copenhagen , part of Arthur Hotels, which was the world's first carbon-neutral hotel group. You can even try Zero Island, a tourist-friendly island in Sweden that managed to go carbon neutral in one year.

When it comes to plastic waste, the Angama Mara in Kenya follows a strict plastic-free policy and EDITION Hotels launched the "Stay Plastic Free" campaign to remove single-use plastics from the hospitality industry. Companies are also giving back, like AccorHotels who are financing smart-tree planting schemes for local farms. In 2016, the international hotel group planted nearly 17,000 trees in the UK as part of its global Plant for the Planet program, financed by the £233,000 saved by guests reusing towels rather than sending them to the laundry.

16 stunning eco-hotels for the environmentally conscious traveler

4. Pack reusable items

The best way to reduce your waste output is to produce less. Vicky Ellmore from Reusable Nation says pack light and purposeful. "Stick to the basics and take reusables like a water bottle, coffee cup, steel or bamboo straw, food container (collapsible ones are great for traveling) and bamboo cutlery or a spork so you can avoid single-use plastics," she advises. "Take a reusable shopping bag and produce bags so you can shop plastic-free, and take zero waste toiletries, such as shampoo bars, deodorant paste and tooth tablets. You'll create a lot less waste and you won't have to worry about liquids and aerosols."

Bea Johnson, the author of Zero Waste Home recommends repurposing everyday items you use at home for vacation use. "I bring my own earbuds and a peshtemal, which I use as a towel at the beach, a picnic blanket in a park or a scarf when it gets cold, but also a blanket on the plane, so I don't have to use those provided by the airlines which are wrapped in plastic."

Innovative sustainable tourism attractions around the world

5. Spend your money locally

If you choose locally-owned accommodation, eat at independent restaurants, buy locally made products and choose local experiences you can make a positive impact. Travel social enterprises such as I Like Local use tourist dollars to create sustainable incomes for local guides and hosts in 19 countries across Asia and Africa . Founder Sanne Meijboom tells Lonely Planet, "As many local people in Asia and Africa are not benefiting from tourism in their country and more travelers are looking for authentic travel experiences, we connect the dots. A traveler like you can join local life and the local person earns 100% of the money he asks for the experience."

Colombian tour company Impulse also has a social enterprise mission and harnesses the power of tourism to generate a market-driven peace movement. "We do this by creating experiences travelers love and which actively involve local communities thriving for peace in the business. This generates economic and cultural empowerment that supports social transformation and helps break material and psychological poverty cycles within the communities," says Impulse's Nikola Kelch. "Our passion is to help communities get back on their feet, one tour at a time."

6. Choose your animal experiences carefully

Even 'harmless' selfies can be threatening to wildlife. According to the charity World Animal Protection (WPA), animals in the Amazon “are being torn from the wild so tourists can take selfies for Instagram and other social media”.

How to be a responsible wildlife tourist

Animals shouldn't be used for human entertainment and they need to live as free from human interference as possible. If you are keen to see wild animals in their natural habitat, choose places that offer ethical and sustainable animal interactions such as elephant sanctuaries and marine conservation volunteer projects. Elephant rides should always be given a miss and avoid all experiences where animals are behaving unnaturally.

The best way to travel sustainably is to be more mindful. As Responsible Travel's Justin Francis sums it up, "There is just one key point to keep in mind: respect the fact that you’re holidaying in someone else’s home, and think about how you can make a positive impact while you’re there."

7 easy tips for eco-friendly travel on a budget

You might also like: 'Why travelers need to rethink their attitude to travel' Into the green: eight destinations for an eco-friendly escape You can be a part of worldwide coral regeneration schemes – here's how

This article was first published June 2019 and updated April 2022

Explore related stories

Sustainable Travel

Jan 16, 2024 • 8 min read

Rolling forests, saw-toothed mountains, bridges spanning river gorges - these European train rides put on quite a show.

Jan 9, 2024 • 5 min read

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

Nov 1, 2023 • 4 min read

Oct 19, 2023 • 8 min read

Sep 12, 2023 • 9 min read

Aug 4, 2023 • 3 min read

Jul 5, 2023 • 5 min read

Mar 29, 2023 • 5 min read

Jan 3, 2023 • 7 min read

How to Be More Eco-Friendly While Traveling

We know travel has a significant environmental footprint. In some cases, travelers may even be ruining the sites they travel to visit . However, it's possible to reduce the environmental footprint of your travels. Much of that footprint is created by transportation. So for the past three weeks we've considered the basics of carbon offsetting , airlines that offer carbon offsetting programs and how to select carbon efficient airlines and flights. This week, in the last piece of this series, we consider how you can be more environmentally friendly while traveling.

Destination Matters

A staycation or visiting a nearby location often has a smaller transportation-based environmental footprint. Traveling to an area with a massive water shortage may put unnecessary strain on already limited resources, but traveling to an area recently hit by a natural disaster could infuse the local community with needed income and support.

Use Efficient Transportation

Consider the trade-offs of different transportation modes. Some airlines and aircraft are more carbon efficient than others. If you're traveling as a family, driving an electric or hybrid car may be more carbon efficient than flying. Likewise, trains, buses and ferries can provide environmentally-friendly alternatives to renting a car or flying. Walking or biking in a new city can can decrease the number of vehicles on roads and also be a great way to see the sites while getting exercise.

Some hotels tout sustainability initiatives, such as solar power, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, composting, recycling and low-flow toilets. Look for hotels that have certifications, such as LEED, to back up their claims.

It has been argued that hotels and Airbnbs take real estate and resources away from local communities . If you believe this is the case, consider home exchanges or renting Airbnbs where the host is renting extra space within their home or legitimately renting their entire home while traveling. Avoid hosts that manage many properties, as they likely own the properties solely to rent them.

Reduce the amount of items you use, even if you plan to reuse or recycle them. In particular, avoid single-use items such as paper cups, maps, brochures, take-away containers and plastic bags. Bring your own multi-use razor, toothbrush and shower cap instead of using those provided by hotels.

Reuse items whenever possible. In particular:

• Reuse towels and sheets for multiple days by leaving a note for housekeeping or putting the "do not disturb" sign on your door .
• Consider wearing your clothing multiple times until you have enough dirty laundry for a full load.
• Carry a reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug. Fill the bottle with tap water when safe. When drinking tap water isn't recommended use a Steripen or similar device to treat tap water or buy large jugs of water to refill your bottle multiple times. Reusable bottles are also great for refilling after security so you stay hydrated on flights.
• Carry a reusable bag for shopping. I carry a nylon bag that folds to smaller than a coin purse.
• Carry a reusable camping fork. This helps for street food and can be bought for less than $1 at a sporting goods store.
• Reuse your amenity kits. I use one as a pouch for foreign currencies, one as a travel sleep kit and one as protective case for my traveling robot .

When you're done with an item, recycle it if possible. Many hotels and cities have prevalent recycling bins and some hotels even recycle unused soap and toiletries. Unfortunately, in some cities you may struggle to find recycling bins. In these cities, ask a local or specifically look at parks, grocery stores and public transportation hubs.

Besides traditional recycling, consider donating jackets, umbrellas, shoes and other items you don't want to take home. Many cities have donation bins, but you can always ask your Airbnb host or front desk.

Support Local

Shopping and eating locally infuses money into the community and minimizes the transport costs of goods and foods. Another way to support the community and meet people is to get involved in a local volunteer day . Projects such as beach or river clean-ups often occur in attractive locations, require limited skills and commitment and can always benefit from additional manpower.

Be Wary of Animal Tourism

Although there are some high quality and ethically operated sanctuaries, such as Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, FL and Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, it can be difficult to evaluate individual facilities while traveling. In general, don't visit or support facilities that allow activities such as walking with tigers, riding elephants and holding animals like tigers or sloths. Avoid these activities since they often feature drugged, cruelly trained and/or overly stressed captive animals.

Tours and attractions that allow or involve feeding of wildlife should also generally be avoided, as this can alter the animal's natural diet as well as the surrounding ecosystem.

Tread Carefully

When enjoying the great outdoors, follow Leave No Trace principles . In particular, don't litter (even gum and apple cores) and leave everything you find including flowers, rocks and leaves. When hiking or driving, stay on the road or trail and avoid trampling plants and other foliage. When diving or swimming, don't touch or step on coral and determine whether your sunscreen might affect the local ecosystem.

Conserve Energy

Just like at home, there are many ways to be energy-efficient while traveling. For example:

• Turn off lights and heat or air-conditioning when going out
• In an Airbnb or multi-room suite, only heat or cool rooms you're using
• Wash clothing in cold water
• Hang dry clothing instead of using a dryer
• Only run water heaters when needed
• Use blinds or shutters to help with temperature regulation

Conserve Water

Especially in areas where water is in short supply, follow local advice and:

• Take fewer or shorter showers
• Turn off water taps when not in use
• Don't use hotel or laundry services unless you have a full load, as they often wash every guest's clothes separately
• Don't expect lush lawns in desert or drought-prone areas

Bottom Line

Travel will almost always create a bigger environmental footprint than staying at home because you're away from your normal routine. This doesn't mean we shouldn't travel, though, as thoughtful travel can provide many benefits to us and the communities we visit . Many of the suggestions in this article are relatively simple to adopt, so consider giving some of them a try on your next trip; you might find they soon become second nature.

Featured image by Image Source/Getty Images. All other images by the author.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

11 ways to be more eco-friendly when travelling

By Juliet Kinsman

In this era of armchair slacktivism, thinking about where we go, how we travel and what we leave in our wake is an essential way of making our journeys inspire the change we want to see in the world, says Juliet Kinsman.

To quote Ray Mears, ‘it’s so important to step outside your comfort zone because that’s usually when you learn best.’

There's being greener by leaving that cutesy teddy bear on the bed as a signal not to change our sheets, and then there’s signing up for hands-on workshops, which equip us with the knowledge to live more ecologically. To really work for that gold star, improve your sustainability credentials, spend time with permaculture pros and conservationists and learn from eco crusaders around the world. Then use your voice to promote positive impact.

11 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO BE MORE ECO-FRIENDLY WHILE TRAVELLING

• Seek out on-the-ground experiences

Conservation isn’t just about safeguarding biodiversity. On a wider level, it needs to empower people to take responsibility for their resources and educate them about the dynamic between humans and nature. ‘We love working with community-based organisations such as the Milgis Trust , which protects not only thousands of acres but also the way of life of northern Kenya’s pastoral people,’ says Henry Comyn, co-founder of Joro Experiences . The company is applying for B Corp’s rigorous certification for its social and environmental practices. ‘Walking with the Samburu and their camels along ancient nomadic herding paths provides a rare chance to see this land in a way that few visitors ever do. We make sure every penny spent stays in the area.’

• Have meaningful engagement

Touring Sri Lanka ’s smartest stays can go hand in hand with supporting the island’s communities. ‘Private safaris to see wild elephants in a national park are more enjoyable when you know the local guide is being paid properly,’ says Amy Welfare of AW Private Travel . She prides herself on plotting routes that honour a circular economy and provide income through meaningful cultural experiences. Her trips work with Ayu in the Wild , which runs a classrooms outreach scheme. So through a farm-to-table visit with a Sri Lankan grower on his smallholding, you might also be contributing to the education of his children. It’s about having a commitment to human sustainability, too.

• Educating the next generation

Katie Terrington ’s Colombian itineraries focus on a number of causes: reforestation in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains; youth work in Cartagena ; healthcare in the Andes . She recommends Corocora, a camp in the wildlife-rich savannahs of Los Llanos, because of its work with a nearby nature reserve. ‘As well as helping to protect this highly vulnerable ecosystem in the Orinoco floodplains, it educates local children about the flora and fauna to impart the importance of conservation and encourage them to consider careers as specialised guides, biologists or naturalists,’ says Terrington. Encounters with llaneros, meanwhile, give travellers a taste of the life of these traditional cowboys, who are also coached into being agents for change in their communities.

• Keep it local

As an alternative to bespoke trips planned by companies such as those above that are part of the Conscious Travel Foundation, Responsible Travel is excellent for affordable, family-friendly, charity-funding breaks across the world. It follows sustainable tourism policies for all its itineraries, with a focus on supporting locals. Book its dolphin conservation holiday in Greece , for example, and you’ll join marine biologists collecting data to help protect the National Marine Park of Alonissos and its population of rare seabirds, dolphins and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.

What is sustainable travel? All the terms you need to know

• Cultivate new habits

Taking home more sensitive ways of being is a powerful legacy from any holiday. The Earth Labs at Six Senses properties are all about engagement and education. They share information on the work they’re doing to reduce consumption and support local communities, their data on water, energy and waste, and their news on marine conservation and forest restoration, then aim to give visitors simple life hacks to take home, such as how to make compost or chemical-free detergent. At Inhabit in London's Paddington , they get guests thinking about issues such as leftovers by partnering with food waste-fighting apps Karma and Too Good to Go – at ‘happy hour’ perfectly edible bargains from the hotel’s Yeotown Kitchen, which would otherwise have been thrown out at the end of the day, can be picked up for a snip.

• Soak up permaculture wisdom

Nature has things figured out, and permaculture is when an ecosystem is designed so that humans can work entirely in rhythm with nature, as opposed to against it – from growing food to planning a garden, producing rich soil or achieving zero-waste status. Tune into this way of being at Green Camp in Bali , where you can learn the principles of alchemising waste into wealth, achieving eco-warrior black-belt status. Another pioneer is The Datai in Malaysia . See permaculture in action at its outdoor classroom and learn about how saplings and seeds are saved and stored, and hear about how the hotel manages its zero-waste organic-food production line – self-guided walks give further insight. Or you could choose to spend time in the new workshop for a hands-on upcycling session. The Datai has also partnered with local educators to create a Youth for the Future initiative – school programmes, activities and events to educate local young people on sustainability and conservation.

• Encourage junior conservationists

Keen to enlist kids in the cause so that they’re not only nature lovers but active protectors? The author of The Blue Economy , Gunter Pauli, once told me that if you really want to have a positive impact, you should tell a surprising and inspiring story to a child every single day for the rest of your life. Have them pick up ranger skills on a safari from African Bush Camps. The family-friendly Ngwana camps ( ngwana is a Setswana word for ‘explorer') teach children about the importance of conservation, with an emphasis on fun, and at the end they can even qualify for a junior guide certificate (kids up to age 15 stay free at any of their camps from December until the end of March 2021). At Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia 's Greater Blue Mountains, meanwhile, they run a Junior Rangers programme in their 6,900 living, breathing acres of bush, with bugs, fossil-hunting and gathering yabbies (freshwater crayfish) on the activities list.

• Learn bushcraft survival skills

Those who learn how to survive in the wild are likely to intuitively be kinder to it. Alladale is a vast sprawl of rewilding and reforestation in the Scottish Highlands, and the location for Bear Grylls Survival Academy , a gruelling five-day course in how to live off the land. Wild Spirit Bushcraft courses in South Wales impart knowledge by instilling age-old skills through hands-on experience in a woodland setting. The courses have you trying your hand, Bear Grylls style, at everything from shelter building to water purification. Another place you can brush up on your survival skills is Home Farm Glamping in Hertfordshire, five minutes from the end of the Jubilee and Northern Tube lines. Scout leader Justin Blacklaws teaches fire lighting, knife craft and more in half- or full-day experiences for everyone aged 10 and up.

• Build with better bricks

If you’d rather be the piggy that makes a more solid, wolf-proof construction while helping save traditional Cornish masonry skills, head to Brickfield near St Austell. By hosting free brick-making workshops in Blackpool China Clay Pit, this experimental community enterprise is conserving a centuries-old local craft and putting together a sustainably built community centre. Take part in a two-and-a-half-hour workshop in September and then again in 2021.

Lily Bonesso

Mary Lussiana

Sophie Heawood

Monica Mendal

• Get involved with some citizen science

Working holidays hosted by conservation charities, such as The Wildlife Trusts or the National Trust , invite participants to contribute to citizen-science projects while getting close to nature. Data collection can be the most time-consuming part of conservation, so helping makes you green as can be. One straightforward way to be an active volunteer whenever you’re out and about in forest or field is to download the iNaturalist app. Snap to add photographs of animals and plants, and as well as learning to identify species you'll be helping map out biodiversity for Forestry England, who’ve partnered with the app to allow volunteers to add to national records.

How to travel more sustainably in 2020

• TALKING OUR WALK

Often we can feel helpless in the face of global change but individually what we do, however small it feels, can help make a big difference. When we’re on the move, it's not about packing our placards, ready to march – simply asking more questions and giving friendly feedback to businesses along the way is meaningful activism.

It’s not often we come across a plastic straw any more, but a little more pester power could see us getting even more of the stuff out of sight. Gently mentioning to a manager how their hotel’s imported Polynesian mineral water in plastic bottles is really not what you’d like to see might result in them ditching the shipped stuff and replacing it with a local alternative in refillable glass containers. (It’s always worth a try – I’ve had this happen after saying something at an outpost of an elegant Japanese restaurant.)

Social media has been a powerful tool for amplifying voices and disseminating messages, but beyond retweeting motivational ditties or advocating reform through your Instagram feeds, engage in real human-to-human chinwags. When I'm away, I love chatting to local business owners about issues on their minds. In Upstate New York , a local innkeeper alerted me to the perils of fracking almost 15 years ago. At a Hampshire hotel, a chance conversation with an arborist made me aware that ashes and elms are among the more than half of Europe’s native trees threatened with extinction, yet not much is said about how disease, pests, pollution and development are putting so many of our trees in danger. You can help by signing up to the Conservation Foundation’s Great British Elm Projects and logging leaves through their app, as well as planting seedlings yourself. Jonny Bealby of Wild Frontiers Travel recalls speaking with a member of the Kalash indigenous people in Pakistan, who revealed he'd had attempts made on his life for trying to stop the illegal logging trade: 'It taught me how delicate the balance is between humans and their environment in these remote parts of the world. Logging not only deprives this, the last pagan tribe to inhabit the region, of its ancient ancestral heritage, it also causes soil erosion and leads to flooding and problems growing crops.' It inspired Jonny to always speak up about deforestation in the Hindu Kush so that more people might challenge the few unscrupulous businessmen cutting down trees to make a quick buck.

It’s a reminder that instead of spending precious time away poking at our smartphones, one of the best things we can do is have meaningful exchanges that leave us truly enlightened.

Like this? Now read:

What is 'greenwashing' and how can we avoid it while travelling?

Why sustainable travel is as much about humanity and diversity as it is about the planet

The biggest sustainable travel breakthroughs from the past 50 years

More From Forbes

7 ways to travel more sustainably.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Sustainable travel can be fun, rewarding and not at all challenging

Sustainable travel is surging in popularity, but what does it mean? The vague term can refer to traveling in a way that’s conscientious of the environment and local communities, leaving less of an impact on a destination and perhaps even bettering the location in the process. Sustainable tourism, in many ways a reaction to overtourism, helps protect the planet, to ensure destinations are liveable and worth visiting for years to come. And while travel can certainly takes its toll, creating carbon emissions, waste and more, responsible tourism is an essential step in protecting the planet.

Sustainable Travel Tips

Responsible tourism helps the environment by limiting ecological impact, supporting indigenous wildlife, respecting cultural heritage, and not taking away from a destination as a visitor, be it removing a shell from a beach or littering on a hiking trail. Plenty of responsible travel itineraries are easily replicable, but many trips can be adapted to be more sustainable. There are so many ways, big and small, to travel more responsibly and sustainably. Here’s how to start:

1. TSA-Friendly Doesn’t Need To Be Earth Hostile

You can buy single use and tiny versions of pretty much every care product these days, but do you actually need to? Opt for refillable travel bottles to decant your normal products into, and you’ll always have TSA-friendly bottles of shampoo, lotion, whatever you need at the ready. If you prefer to travel without liquids, consider switching to bars of shampoo and conditioner toothpaste powder and other products, which are eco-friendly wherever you are.

Planning ahead can be a major factor in sustainable travel

2. Opt For Public Transit

Public transportation — buses, trains, light rail, etc. — is always more sustainable than a private ride. If possible, use public transit to get to and from your destination and learn your destination’s public transit system to navigate while you explore. Not only will you likely save money as well as lower your carbon footprint, you’ll get a taste of how locals live. If public transit isn’t an option, consider booking shared rides to the airport and excursions, or renting an electric or hybrid vehicle if driving solo is the only option.

Bitcoin Suddenly Braced For A 35 Trillion Halving Price Earthquake

New google play biometrics warning issued to all android users, apple watch series 9 hits all time low special offer price, 3. pack for low waste experiences.

A bit of planning ahead can save considerable landfill waste. Bringing a reusable coffee cup for morning coffee runs and reusable water bottle will hopefully cut down the amount of single-use items you purchase on the go. Other easy to pack items including a reusable travel utensil set, reusable straws and reusable earplugs can help avoid creating more waste on the road. If you’re someone who discards beach reads, consider switching to an e-reader. Pack tote bags to carry souvenirs or other items purchased on the road that won’t require disposable plastic bags.

4. Eat Conscientiously

Eating local is the best way for your diet to support local eco-systems. Not only does dining at independent, small businesses (e.g. not chains), support local business people, but can often have lower environmental impact than major franchised restaurants that ship ingredients and supplies across the country. Making lower impact choices, including eating mostly plant-based, when possible, can also make travel a bit greener. If you don’t have anything to do with leftovers, consider ordering with a bit more restriction so you aren’t creating an excess of food waste.

Local culinary experiences can be healthy, fulfilling and sustainable

5. Book A Sustainable Hotel

Staying at a property dedicated to sustainability can make a big impact, especially by showing the travel industry that this is a priority for hospitality. Hotels are offered various certifications to prove their sustainable status, which can be achieved as a remote eco-lodge or luxury property in a major city. Several hotels are seeking LEED certification , the Green Hotels Association has a collection of vendors who prioritize sustainability, and the Leading Hotels of the World has a sustainability collection of five star properties.

6. Buy Carbon Offsets

While we technically can’t undo the damage we cause to the environment, there are initiatives to at least mitigate it. Carbon offsets allow consumers to compensate for their carbon footprint by funding projects that reduce carbon dioxide pollution. CoolEffect.org can help you decide how much to give, based on trip itinerary and logistics. For example, to offset air travel, a roundtrip, 6-hour flight would add about 1.89 tons of CO2 per passenger, and $31.17 of carbon offsets would help mitigate that.

Some airlines offer the option to purchase carbon offsets alongside airfare

7. Slow Down Your Travel

Slow travel is a buzzword that’s emerged in the 2020s, when work and leisure travel aka bleisure have melded more than ever, and the concept of working and even socializing remotely is totally normalized. Rather than a quick jaunt back and forth, slow travel emphasizes taking your time with tourism, be it living in a rental property for a month and enjoying the sights on the weekends, going backpacking, biking or hiking for an extended off the grid period, or traveling via train instead of air. Slow tourism has been proven to have a positive environmental impact .

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Five ways to make air travel more sustainable

1 minute read, as travel restrictions continue to ease and many passengers longing for holidays abroad, we ask, is there a more sustainable way to fly.

International air traffic accounts for around 2.5% of total carbon emissions globally. With air traffic volume set to rise globally over the next 10 years, it’s important that the aviation industry mitigates its climate impacts.

In fact, air travel is the first industry with a global emission management system that seeks to guarantee that international air traffic emissions will not increase after 2020, even if passenger numbers do. The aim is to halve emissions by 2050, relative to 2005 levels.

But what can individual passengers do to counteract climate effects when they choose to fly? Here we take a look at four simple tips:

• Fly as direct as possible Research shows that airplanes use the most fuel and produce the most harmful emissions during take-off, and take-off can use as much as 25% of an airplane’s total fuel supply in the example of a short haul flight. By choosing a direct flight rather than making one or more stops, you are ensuring that your airplane only takes off once and is therefore much more fuel efficient.
• Offset your carbon emissions Another way to mitigate the impact of flying is to voluntarily offset the CO2 emissions of your flight. After carbon reduction methods reach their limit, offsetting carbon can mitigate the remaining impacts. When you pay to offset your carbon emissions, you are funding projects that work to reduce greenhouse gases by, for instance, planting new trees or increasing the energy efficiency of modes of transport.
• Choose more efficient airlines or planes The largest contribution to emissions reduction in aviation comes through technology. The latest aircraft models are already miles ahead of their predecessors in fuel efficiency: ATAG estimates that CO2 emissions per seat kilometre have halved since 1990, and each new generation of aircraft improves fuel efficiency by roughly 15% . We must also consider that the fuel consumption can not possibly be reduced further than 60% of the fuel consumption we have now, if in the future energy is still obtained from fossil fuels.
• Pack light Packing light also makes a difference, as the total weight of the aircraft directly affects its fuel consumption. According to airline calculations, if all passengers on all flights lose one kilogram of luggage for one year, the fuel savings are sufficient to fly 20 times from Helsinki to Tokyo.
• Go paperless This might sound like an obvious place to start, but you’d be surprised how many of us still opt for paper copies of our boarding pass. If you have a smartphone, download your boarding pass and limit the extra paper usage, time and ink that goes into printing millions of boarding passes each and every day. Here at BagsID we have made it our mission to remove traditional paper baggage tags from all journeys and help airlines reduce CO2 emissions. As an added benefit you are less likely to lose a digital pass.

If we all play our part then we can all have an effect on the impact flying has on the environment whilst still enjoying exploring the world.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Please let us know your preferences.

Please read our Cookie policy .

How to Be An Environmentally Conscious Traveler

Being an environmentally conscious traveler can make a big difference. Photo: Beau Blake

Traveling and sustainability may sound like a juxtaposition, but with a little planning and some smart choices doing both is definitely within the realm of possibility. Before booking a trip, take into consideration how you’ll get there, where you’ll stay, and how you’ll get around. The environmentally conscious choice may not always be the obvious one and oftentimes it will take a bit more effort on you end. To make things a little easier, we’ve rounded up six tips for being an eco-friendly traveler — because there’s more to travel than simply scoring great surf.

Travel Light

Planes, trains, and automobiles are some of the biggest sources of carbon emissions, with airplanes being the top offender. When traveling overseas, lighten the load by packing just the bare essentials — the lighter the plane the less it emits. Re-wear your clothes, rent a board at your destination, and leave your laptop and other gadgets at home. It might not seem like much, but every little bit counts.

Stay at Eco-Friendly Accommodations

With eco tourism on the rise, eco lodges and green hotels are popping up across the globe and are available at a number of popular travel destinations. While both focus on environmental responsibility and minimizing negative impact, eco lodges are typically found in more remote, natural environments where green hotels are often found in towns or cities. For example, The Harmony Hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica composts, uses environmentally friendly pesticides, uses solar panels to provide energy, provides all-natural bath products in guest rooms, offers bamboo straws, includes native plants in the landscaping, supports local projects that promote sustainable development, and participates in the “Plant a Tree” program to offset carbon emissions.

Minimize Plastic Waste

What’s the best part about traveling via plane? For many, it’s the complimentary beverages, pretzels or peanuts, and occasionally meals. It’s definitely fun to dine at 30,000 feet, but have you ever given much thought to the amount of plastic waste that is used in one flight alone? Beverages are poured from small single-use containers into small, single-use plastic cups. Every snack and drink comes with a paper napkin and every meal comes in a throwaway container and plastic cutlery. One option is to choose Hi Fly , a company that wet leases aircraft in Portugal and Malta. In December 2018, the company became the first plastic-free flight by replacing plastic containers and cutlery with bamboo and compostable alternatives. Hopefully more airlines will follow suit.

Until they do, flying with Hi Fly may not always be a realistic option but a simple solution is to bring your own reusable containers, cups, and silverware to not only use on the plane, but throughout the entire trip.

Choose a Sustainably Made Board

If you’re traveling locally, brining your own board is a good option but if you’re traveling overseas, renting is probably your best bet. Depending on your location, rental options may be limited but when possible, choose a sled with an ECOBOARD Project logo on it. A solid option is NSP’s line of CocoMat surfboards and stand-up paddleboards, all of which are Level 1 Verified ECOBOARD Project boards. There are an ever-growing number of sustainably made boards available, so do your research and ask around to find an eco-friendly board that is best suited to your needs.

Take Public Transportation

When traveling, a lot of people automatically rent a car as a means to get around — but you don’t have to. If you plan out your location ahead of time, you may be able to score a place where the water and food are all within walking distance. For the times when you want to go explore or visit somewhere that isn’t accessible by foot, try taking the local bus or train system. It’s cheap, it’s a chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, and it’s running anyways, so you might as well hop on.

Choose a Sustainably Minded Destination

Choosing a destination based on how sustainable the country is definitely is a unique way of laying out your travel plans. But, it’s one that could greatly lessen your carbon footprint. According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) , Denmark, the United Kingdom, Finland, Malta, and Sweden are currently the most sustainable countries in the world, in that order. The EPI quantifies and numerically marks the environmental performance of a state’s policies and is a good marker to go by when selecting a travel destination. Next time you’re deciding where to go, do a quick Google search and try basing your decision on how environmentally friendly the location is.

Only the best. We promise.

Join our community of contributors.

25 sustainable travel tips to be more eco-friendly

Sharing is caring!

We’re all aware of it – traveling is not the most eco-friendly activity to take part in. But hey, this planet is still too beautiful to not explore, right? That’s why eco-friendly travel is always a priority for us. We want to keep the planet as beautiful as possible for future generations to enjoy. That’s why we thought of these 25 sustainable travel tips to help you be more eco-friendly anywhere in the world.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

Table of Contents

Why eco-friendly travel is important

The sad truth is that today, a lot of places are drowning in plastic , and are not as beautiful as they used to be. If we keep going this way, this beautiful planet will not have unspoiled places left to offer travelers and future generations.

In the “western” world, we have been told for years that we need to reduce, reuse and recycle. We have started to compost in major cities, and overall, we’re fairly aware of the toxic effects of using single-use plastic , plastic in general, and the effects of consumerism. Of course, we aren’t perfect by any means, but we generally understand the consequences of our actions on the environment. In developing countries, where such infrastructures don’t exist, and there are bigger concerns like daily survival, recycling and keeping our earth clean are just not priorities.

When you travel, it’s easy to “take a break” from being the usual eco-conscious green person that you are at home. But, the truth is, it’s a lot easier than you think to keep up the good habits. So here are some simple sustainable travel tips and tricks you can use to stay green and keep the planet clean. If we all chip in, we’ll make a far bigger impact together.

Sustainable travel tips for your next trip

So you want to head out and explore the world? Cool, this is the first place to start thinking green!

1. Be more eco-conscious by skipping the plane… if you can

I know! Easier said than done. But this is the first place you can cut your carbon footprint. The carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a plane is incredibly damaging. So if you can, take a bus, a boat, a train , a bike or your legs to go explore that crazy beautiful place you have in mind. Whatever way you can to produce fewer greenhouse emissions is the best way.

This is probably not the easiest rule to put into practice, but if you can do it, please do! Often, the alternate means of transportation will probably offer more scenic views too, so it’s a double win.

If you can’t avoid taking a plane, there are still other ways you can be more eco-friendly like paying Carbon Credits to offset your flight’s emissions. Or, you can also take a direct flight to your next destination. Truth is the takeoff and landing are the most damaging to the environment, so reducing the number of flights to get somewhere is a great solution.

2. Join the daily commute to reduce your carbon emissions

Once you make it to your destination, travel like an eco-conscious local. Avoid taking cabs, Grabs, and Ubers. Instead, take the local bus or subway, trains or ferries to get around. The more people take public transportation, the better it is. Not only will there be less traffic on the road, but governments will invest more in these infrastructures, offering better service and reducing the number of cars on the road. Often, it’s also a cheaper way to get around than to cab it all the time. Or better yet, pick a central hotel where you can walk to the main attractions.

If you have to take a cab, try to split the fare with others going to the same location. Ask around your hotel/hostel. It’s a cheaper, more eco-friendly and fun way of getting around anyway!

Sustainable travel tips for your stay

Finding a place to stay isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but there are a ton of things you can do to make your stay eco-friendly. Here are some sustainable travel tips to help you.

3. Choose to stay in an eco-hotel or an eco-resort

This is a no-brainer. If you want to splurge and stay in a hotel, pick one that is eco-friendly and sustainable. Nowadays, a lot of places around the world are putting in efforts to be more green. As eco-conscious travelers, it’s important that we support them so that other hotels follow suite.

It can be small and simple things like being an eco-building, using recycled materials or not washing towels every day. Or it can be a truly green place that doesn’t offer anything plastic, that does trash clean-ups, that practices sustainable activities in their community. All you have to do is some research and you’ll see, these places are easier to find than you think! Our favorites so far have been Babel Guesthouse in Siem Reap and Hotel Penaga in Penang .

4. Stay with locals to be more sustainable

Ok, so I can already hear some people thinking this is crazy but Couchsurfing is an awesome way to travel. You get to stay with locals, exchange ideas, and connect with people on a whole new level. We couchsurfed quite a few times when in Asia and Europe, and we loved it. We know we have made friends for life.

So obviously, staying with a local is a lot more eco-friendly than staying in a hotel, especially because you don’t take up much more energy in the powering of the place. If you’re not comfy with this idea (although we highly encourage you to try it at least once), you can always opt for shared accommodations in an Airbnb .

5. Skip on getting fresh towels every day

Let’s be honest here. Back home, you don’t wash your towels after every use. So why would you do it on the road?

Most hotels will offer to wash your towels and bring you new ones each day, but this creates a lot of wasted water. Not to mention all the detergent and chemicals that end up in the waterways. So just leave your used towel on the rack. Usually, the hotel staff knows not to replace it. If you’re unsure about their policy, just ask at the front desk or leave a note asking that your towel not be switched out. Easy peasy!

6. Skip on room cleaning to be more eco-friendly

Here’s another no-brainer. Again, do you clean your room every day back home? Nope! So avoid doing it when you travel… well unless you’re a super messy person!

Usually, when they clean your room, they spray a whole bunch of chemicals in there, which is not good for your health or the environment. Then, they give you new trash bags (plastic, of course) and all those tiny plastic bottles of soap and shampoo and lotion (damn, more plastic). Once you realize that this cleaning is just creating more plastic waste, you’ll want to avoid it.

Many hotels will offer to clean your room only when you need it to, so go for this option. If not, just hang the “do not disturb” sign on your door, and voilà!

7. An easy way to be more sustainable is to avoid plastic bottles

Most hotels in South East Asia will give you complimentary water bottles every day during your stay. Avoid them!  How? Well, that’s easy!

Either carry around a reusable water bottle that you can fill at refill stations (usually, your hotel will be able to do this) or get a Lifestraw Go as we have. We can refill it with tap water anywhere in the world and make the water drinkable! WIN!

Eco-friendly travel tips for eating out on your trip

If you’re like us, you like to eat. A LOT! I mean, we eat insane amounts of food. Derek is 6 foot 4, so that’s a lot of man to feed. But when we do, we follow these simple sustainable travel tips to reduce the amount of waste we create.

8. Markets are delicious but so trashy, so be eco-conscious

We LOVE eating local food. The best place to do this is in local markets. Unfortunately, this is a place that creates huge amounts of waste. They put your food in polystyrene containers. Don’t get me started on polystyrene/styrofoam . It’s a killer and should be banned everywhere. It should not exist… damn, I got started! Sorry!

Not only is this plastic bad for your health (chemicals seep into your food) but it’s terrible for the environment too. It always ends up floating into our oceans and killing our marine life. Avoiding it is easy. Just bring your own containers to the market. Mason jars, reusable containers, whatever you have that will help you take your hot food home to enjoy.

A trick to remember to bring a container is to pack fragile things in it. When we arrive at our destination, we remove the items and use the container.

9. Ditch the plastic utensils while you travel

If you’re already bringing your own container, take it a little step further and bring your own cutlery too. 

As travelers, we always have our cutlery with us – it’s perfect when you just feel like having an impromptu picnic or you feel like making yourself a snack with some local groceries. If you don’t have your own set of travel cutlery, you can always take your meal back to the hotel and ask them for metal cutlery. This will make you a total environmental champion (and we love champs like you!)

Just remember that you can’t travel with a metal knife in your carry-on luggage, so make sure you don’t keep it there. If not, you can opt for bamboo cutlery instead.

10. Avoid fast-food restaurants while you travel

This may be another “easier said than done” solution, but if you can avoid it, please do. We totally get that eating the same type of cuisine day-in and day-out is not the most thrilling part of traveling and that sometimes, you just want some golden fries that taste like home. 

Just know that massive fast-food chains tend to generate a lot of waste and pollution. Just think about the transport of that frozen food, the tons of plastic and styrofoam used to wrap it all, the single-use plastic utensils… it all adds up. And really, don’t you prefer eating a local dish to support a local family and economy? Yes, yes you do!

11. Don’t use a straw to be more eco-friendly

This is probably the easiest thing you can do. And it will go a long way as most straws, especially in beachside locations, end up in the ocean and kill our wildlife. 

Call us selfish, but since we just started scuba diving , we want to keep the underwater world as clean as possible. So next time you order a drink, make sure you specify you don’t want a straw. If you absolutely need a straw for your smoothie, bring a reusable one with you made from bamboo or stainless steel. See how easy that is?! Don’t you feel better about saving the planet? Yes, you do!

12. Avoid snacks with plastic packaging

Who doesn’t love a good snack? We all need a little sugary pick-me-up once in a while. Instead of heading to the convenience store to get your favorite treat, why don’t you opt for something Mother Nature created for you? 

One of the best things about traveling is getting to eat fruits and veggies that you don’t have access to at home. So skip out on that heavily-packaged, sugar-filled fake-food, and go enjoy a local delicacy.

13. Eat more plant-based or vegetarian meals

This is probably the simplest step people can take at home, or while traveling to be more eco-friendly and sustainable. Keeping cattle and growing it until it ends up as a slab of meat on your plate takes up a lot of water and resources. Cutting down on even one meat meal a day will make a huge impact on the environment.

This is the main reason Carine is a vegetarian and Derek has reduced his consumption by a lot (he’s about 85% vegetarian now). When you can, opt for a vegetarian meal . They often have the vegetarian options of traditional meals in restaurants.

Sustainable travel tips to teach locals how to be more eco-conscious

These sustainable travel tips are easy to follow and are one of our favorite things to do. We really urge others to do this as much as they can. It can be as easy as refusing the plastic bag and showing that you can put it all in your backpack or it can get a little more complex. Either way, education is key!

14. Pick up trash when you see it

Yup! It’s that easy. If you see trash, pick it up. It doesn’t matter that it’s not yours. If it’s on the ground, chances are, it’s going to end up in waterways, in your food (because your food will eat it. Unless you’re a vegetarian or vegan, in which case, we love you!) or it’s just going to make a super beautiful place look like a dump.

People may question what you’re doing, or say it’s useless, but if everyone picks up 3 pieces of trash each day, we’ll have one hell of a clean planet real quick! This is another example of how every bit helps. So regardless of where you are (traveling or not), please just pick it up and throw it out in the bin, or recycle it if you can. Thank you!

15. Educate others to be more eco-friendly

Sometimes, people don’t know any better. And it’s not their fault. Not all countries have access to this type of education. I mean honestly, only a few years ago (ok, like 10-15 years ago), people were littering the streets back home and no one would flinch.

So it’s understandable that people with fewer means and less education don’t understand the impact of littering or of single-use plastic. So let them know, in a kind and friendly way. No need to be berating or condescending. Sometimes, just a quick line about how plastic is bad or useless is enough to get them thinking. If you have a better relationship with the person, then you can get into the details of explaining why it’s bad.

16. Always BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag) to be sustainable

One of the best ways we’ve found of educating people is simply by setting an example for them. In this case, it’s bringing our own bag – to the market, to the grocery store, to the fruit stand, wherever. These are places where they are always keen on giving you some toxic plastic bag you don’t need. 

We always joke (but we’re not actually joking) and tell the cashier we’re out to save the world, and that we don’t need plastic. It puts a smile on their face and they acknowledge that they don’t need to automatically offer it. Often, the people behind us in line will end up refusing a bag too, and that’s one domino effect we love to see!

Sustainable travel tips for shopping & activities

One of the best things to do when you travel is to get gifts (for yourself or others) or live crazy once-in-a-lifetime experiences. We won’t stop you from doing that, but before you do it, just think about this.

17. Shop locally to be an eco-friendly traveler

This is something they tell us back home, and you should also try to do it when you’re traveling. Shop local. Get something from a local artist or artisan, handmade with love and craftsmanship. Whatever it is, try and support a local family and the local economy. At least, try to make sure the product is produced in the country, as tons of things are made in China but sold as being local.

And if you haggle the price, which is sometimes half the fun, make sure you are being fair. If the vendor starts to get upset, you’ve gone too far – that dollar that you are saving may not be much to you, but it could be a fortune to the vendor.

18. Don’t shop at all to be more sustainable

This is something that we can do as long-term travelers. To be honest, we have not bought a single souvenir since we have started this year-long trip (sorry, not sorry friends and family!). Why? Well, space and weight are big things, but it’s also because we don’t want things. Before we left, we started living a more minimalist lifestyle, realizing that we prefer to live experiences over having things. 

We’ve carried on with this mentality during the trip, and you can do it too. Sure, people may think you’re selfish for not bringing back a gift. But instead, you can learn how to cook the local cuisine and invite them over for a traditional feast when you’re back. Buy some local herbs or spices you can’t easily find at home. Make a donation to a local charity in their name. There are tons of creative ways to offer “travel” gifts without buying things.

19. Avoid animal exploitation to promote sustainable tourism

So you’re half-way around the world and you have a chance to see some pretty awesome animals that you’ve never seen back home. Yeah, freakin’ cool! But before you do, make sure you look into the company that is offering this.

Are they harming animals? Chances are that if a wild animal will do tricks for you or that you get to ride it, they are harming them. We opted to go see elephants at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, because they were an ethical sanctuary for these gentle giants and we didn’t ride them.

Are you taking a picture with an animal that would usually bite your head off if you saw it in the wild? Yup, avoid this as well. For example, in Thailand , we saw many offers to go hang out with tigers. What people don’t know is that those tigers are drugged to keep them docile.

Is the activity ruining the natural ecosystem or instincts of the animal? Then avoid that as well! For example, in the Philippines, you can go swimming with whale sharks. How awesome… except for the fact that this makes the whale sharks forget their natural hunting instincts and ruins the balance of the ecosystem they live in because they are being fed instead of “hunting”. Instead, we got to see a whale shark in its natural habitat in Koh Tao , where it took us by surprise. A much better experience overall for everyone!

20. Eco Tours, an easy way to promote eco-friendly and sustainable tourism

Whatever tour you decide to do, try to find one that is eco-friendly. In most places, tour operators now understand that if they don’t start taking care of the environment, they will not have a job in a few years. This is exactly what happened to Maya Bay in Thailand, which closed its beaches to tourism. Same as some islands in the Philippines.

So when you’re looking for a way to explore that cool place you’ve been dying to go to, find an operator that has higher environmental standards, one that promotes eco-friendly and sustainable tourism. We found Visit.org which does great work offering eco-friendly tours and activities around the world that support the local community.

21. Use coral-safe sunscreen to be eco-friendly

Recently, there have been many studies showing that using certain types of sunscreen can kill corals . Again, we’re super selfish, and since we started scuba diving, we want to see the corals at their best. This is why we’ve opted for wearing sunscreen that doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, Butylparaben, octinoxate or 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. 

Another way to avoid killing coral is to put your sunscreen on 30 minutes before heading into the water. Or better yet, cover up with a rash guard or wetsuit if you’ll be in the water for a long time (aka snorkeling or scuba diving).

Sustainable travel tips for health and beauty

This section may be more for women, but we thought it was important to include it. These steps can easily be done at home too, so it’s really a double win.

22. Avoid disposable makeup remover wipes

We all love the convenience of these wipes. Makeup just magically disappears with one swipe. But the truth is, not only are they full of chemicals, they are often not biodegradable.

Instead of disposable wipes, opt for a reusable one like Face It by Cloth in a box . Just use water to wipe the makeup off, then rise it and let it dry until you need it tomorrow. Eco-friendly, and travel-friendly because you’ll never need to carry makeup remover with you.

22. Menstruate better

Ok, ladies, not sure about you, but there are a few days each month when I hate life. You know what I’m talkin’ about: periods. Cramps, pain, discomfort, and the only thing I want to do is crawl up and sleep for those 3 days. Add to that the often uncomfortable and annoying pads or tampons, and you have a recipe for disaster.

I’m not just talking about disaster for our planet with all the plastic waste, but also for our health. Tampons have harsh chemicals and bleaches, pads have glue and more chemicals, and they’re bulky AF. So how do you avoid all this?

Today, there are a ton of fun options, like Mme L’Ovary or Thinx . These companies make a range of comfy and stylish period underwear. Yeah, you can actually look good as you bleed! What I love most, is that they care about the environment, people and tell you like it is. On most days, I can just walk around in their underwear, without any other protection, which is awesome in the hot, hot heat we’ve experienced. They have been a savior on this trip!

24. Kick it old school with bars

We all grew up with soap bars, but one day, it all changed and now we’ve gotten used to cleaning up with liquid soaps and shampoos. What we forget to consider is that liquids are actually a lot more expensive than bars, you get fewer washes out of them, and they come in plastic that ends up sticking around longer than we want it to. Especially when traveling, these bottles are bulky and heavy to carry around.

So what’s the solution?

Going back to the good old days of bars. They have come a long way themselves – more natural options are available, softer on sensitive skin and longer-lasting. And their packaging is easily biodegradable which is great considering many countries don’t recycle. We’re loving this bar shampoo by Lush that can give you up to 80 washes, or replace 3 medium bottles of shampoo. And another perk is that you can bring them in your carry-on.

25. Wash your clothes in an eco-friendly way

We got so excited when our friends told us about the Scrubba . This innovative bag helps you wash your clothes as you travel. It also doubles as a dry bag, if you love spending time on the water.

Basically, you fill it up with water and eco-friendly biodegradable soap and drop your clothes in. You scrub them thanks to the little bubbles on the inside of the bag. Then you rinse your clothes and hang them to dry.

This way, you use less water and fewer chemicals. You save money not only on laundry fees but since this allows you to wash often, you don’t need to bring as many clothes. Ultimately, you could travel with a smaller suitcase, also saving you travel fees.

To recap, here are 25 ways to be more sustainable and eco-friendly when you travel

• Skip the plane if you can
• Commute using public transportation
• Choose an eco-hotel 
• Stay with locals or share accommodations
• Skip the fresh daily towels
• Skip on getting your room cleaned daily
• Avoid plastic bottles
• Bring your own containers to markets
• Ditch the plastic utensils
• Avoid fast-food restaurants
• Don’t use a straw
• Avoid snacks with plastic packaging
• Eat more plant-based or vegetarian meals
• Pick up trash
• Educate others to be more eco-friendly
• Bring your own bags
• Shop locally
• Avoid shopping
• Avoid animal tourism
• Go on eco-tours
• Use coral-safe sunscreen
• Avoid disposable makeup remover wipes
• Menstruate better
• Use soap and shampoo bars
• Wash your own clothes

Have you found innovative or easy ways to be a more eco-friendly traveler? Let us know in the comments. We’re always looking for new ways to be more green!

We put a lot of time and effort into the content we create. Please like, comment and share, every action on your part helps us out tremendously and is very much appreciated.

You can also help us by pinning it for others to find.

You Might Also Like:

31 easy ways to go plastic-free

24 amazing eco-friendly travel products to be more sustainable on your next trip

12 amazing hikes near Montreal, less than 2 hours away from the city

Reblogged this on .

Thanks, much appreciated!

The most amazing and complete guide we’ve read on how to become an eco traveler, you guys covered everything! Thanks for educating others and turning this beautiful world in a better place 😀

With love and sunshine, Patricia & Miguel

http://www.freeoversea.com

We are so glad that you liked it and we hope that it can make a difference with others. Keep spreading the love guys!

Great article! Thank you guys! Eco-pads and cups are another great tool when girls need some protection for their periods without risking the environment.

Absolutely, we recommended products that we actually use, but those are great alternatives as well.

Thanks for such a great round-up on sustainable travel tips! I was glad to see that we are focusing on the same things! I actually use a menstrual cup, was one of my favourite switches! I haven’t tried the undies yet, but am willing to try them at some point, glad to hear they are working for you!

Thank you so much! It is really encouraging to see so many people working toward a common goal! I tried a menstrual cup years ago but it wasn’t great for me. I think I need to try a different one. The undies have really been a game-changer for me! Hope you enjoy them too!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

• Episode 11: Eco-Friendly Travel Tips - Green Junkie Podcast - […] https://wediditourway.com/sustainable-travel-tips-eco-friendly/ […]
• Episode 11: Eco-Friendly Travel Tips - Good Girl Gone Green - […] https://wediditourway.com/sustainable-travel-tips-eco-friendly/ […]

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

We’re Carine and Derek, two Canadians in love with each other, the environment and this world. We left our old routines behind to discover all the wonders our planet has to offer. We want to inspire everyone to chase their dreams and leave a positive impact on Earth.

Let’s keep in touch!

Sign up for our newsletter to get our free e-book as well as our latest updates, travel recommendations, eco-friendly advice, inspiration, good vibes and so much more.

Thanks, see you in your inbox!

How to build a micro-influencer media kit – Step-by-step instructions for new content creators

Big or small, every influencer or content creator needs a media kit. They’re a part of the essential tools you need if you want to collaborate with brands. All too often, they're poorly made and lack the important information brands need to know that they HAVE TO work...

For July, we joined hundreds of million people around the world to go plastic-free. Our goal was to avoid all plastic for #plasticfreejuly. During the whole month, we shared our tips with our Instagram community to help them ditch plastic too. These are our 31 easy...

Your ultimate 2-week Honduras itinerary – The best things to do on vacation in Honduras

Welcome to the most underrated and under-visited country in Central America, Honduras. If you’re here, you’re probably thinking about visiting this beautiful country, and we’re here to tell you that you’re in for a real treat! Most people avoid Honduras, thinking it’s...

Follow us on Social Media

Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits

• August 14, 2023
• Transportation

In an era characterized by escalating environmental concerns and climate change , the need for sustainable and eco-friendly transportation has never been more urgent. “Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits” delves into the various modes of environmentally-conscious transportation and explores the extensive benefits they offer. By transitioning from conventional transportation options to greener alternatives, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions, alleviate traffic congestion, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs):

Electric vehicles have gained remarkable popularity as a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. EVs run entirely on electricity, producing zero tailpipe emissions and significantly reducing air pollution. As advancements in battery technology continue, EVs are becoming more affordable and capable of longer distances, making them a promising choice for eco-conscious commuters.

2. Public Transportation:

Public transportation systems, including buses, trains, and subways, are essential components of sustainable mobility. By encouraging the use of shared transport, we can minimize the number of individual vehicles on the road, thus reducing congestion and emissions. Well-planned public transit networks provide an efficient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly means of commuting.

3. Cycling and Walking:

Active modes of transportation like cycling and walking are not only beneficial for personal health but also for the environment . They produce zero emissions and require minimal infrastructure, contributing to reduced congestion and improved air quality. Cities with well-designed bike lanes and pedestrian pathways promote a healthier lifestyle while decreasing reliance on fossil fuel-based transportation.

4. Carpooling and Ride-Sharing:

Carpooling and ride-sharing initiatives encourage the sharing of rides among multiple passengers traveling in the same direction. By reducing the number of vehicles on the road, these practices decrease greenhouse gas emissions, ease traffic congestion, and save participants money on fuel and maintenance costs.

Benefits of Green Transportation:

1. Environmental Impact:

The adoption of green transportation modes significantly lowers carbon emissions and reduces air pollution. Electric vehicles and other sustainable options release fewer pollutants, helping mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change and improving air quality in urban areas.

2. Energy Efficiency:

Green transportation modes are generally more energy-efficient compared to their conventional counterparts. Electric vehicles, for instance, convert a higher percentage of stored energy into actual propulsion, leading to reduced energy consumption and fossil fuel dependency.

3. Cost Savings:

While the upfront costs of some green transportation options might be higher, the long-term savings in terms of fuel and maintenance expenses often outweigh the initial investment. Public transportation, cycling, and walking are also budget-friendly alternatives.

4. Reduced Congestion:

By encouraging shared modes of transportation, such as carpooling and public transit, green transportation systems help alleviate traffic congestion in urban areas. This leads to shorter commute times and less stress for travelers.

5. Health Benefits:

Active transportation modes like cycling and walking promote physical activity, leading to improved cardiovascular health and overall well-being. Additionally, reduced air pollution from green transportation positively impacts public health by decreasing respiratory problems and related diseases.

we can conclude this, “Green Transportation for a Greener Future: Modes and Benefits” underscores the pivotal role of sustainable transportation in shaping a more environmentally-conscious and prosperous future. By embracing electric vehicles, public transportation, active modes like cycling and walking, and ride-sharing initiatives, we can collectively contribute to reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, and enhanced quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Through informed choices and concerted efforts, we can drive the transformation toward a greener transportation landscape.

1. What exactly is green transportation?

Green transportation refers to the use of environmentally-friendly modes of travel that produce minimal or no negative impact on the environment. It includes options like electric vehicles, public transportation, cycling, walking, and carpooling, all of which aim to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.

2. How do electric vehicles (EVs) contribute to a greener future?

Electric vehicles (EVs) operate solely on electricity, emitting zero tailpipe emissions. This means they don’t produce harmful pollutants that contribute to air pollution and climate change. By adopting EVs, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels .

3. Why is public transportation considered green?

Public transportation, including buses, trains, and subways, is considered green because it enables multiple passengers to share a single vehicle, reducing the overall number of cars on the road. This leads to decreased traffic congestion, lower emissions, and improved air quality in urban areas.

4. How can cycling and walking be effective modes of green transportation?

Cycling and walking are green transportation options that produce zero emissions and have minimal impact on the environment. These active modes of transportation not only contribute to reduced pollution but also promote personal health and well-being.

5. Are there financial benefits to using green transportation?

Yes, there are financial benefits to using green transportation. While some eco-friendly options might have higher upfront costs, they often lead to long-term savings due to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. Public transportation, cycling, and walking are also cost-effective alternatives compared to owning and operating a private vehicle.

Share this:

• Sustainable Transportation

Electrifying Change: The Era of Radical Transparency in Global EV Adoption

• October 30, 2023

How Aviation Achieves Speed and Sustainability Together?

• October 26, 2023

Protect Your Trip »

Sustainable travel: 6 ways to be an eco-conscious traveler.

Discover top things to consider while exploring the globe.

How to Be an Eco-Conscious Traveler

Getty Images

There are plenty of ways to put sustainability in focus for your next vacation.

Finding sustainable ways to travel doesn't need to be burdensome. Sustainable travel is easier than you may think, whether you start by supporting local businesses or taking small steps to reduce your carbon footprint. One of the simplest things you can do is fly less, but there are so many different ways to be more intentional and responsible as you traverse the globe. This guide – with plenty of tips from U.S. News travel editors and sustainable travel experts – will help you make your future travels more sustainable and meaningful.

What is sustainable travel?

Traveling to new and exciting destinations, whether a stone's throw from home or on the other side of the world, can be a deeply rewarding experience. You have the opportunity to soak in new cultures and landscapes as you learn about the world around you – but you'll also want to consider how your visit may affect the places you go and the people who live there.

Sustainable travel means not only minimizing harm to the environment but also respecting and supporting local communities and economies. "It's not exploitative or degenerative to the host's culture, community, wildlife, ecosystem or economy," says Nora Livingstone, co-founder of Animal Experience International, a certified B Corporation that provides travelers with ethical animal-related experiences. "From the root of its name, it sustains."

Susanne Etti, global environmental impact manager at Intrepid Travel (an adventure travel company and certified B Corp), believes that great travel goes hand in hand with great responsibility. "Sustainable tourism is all about making simple choices to lessen your negative impact on a given destination," she explains. "It stresses the importance of reducing your carbon footprint and encourages travelers to step off the worn path and linger longer, respect cultural differences and invest in communities, reconnect with nature, and support organizations that are protecting the planet."

Why is sustainable travel important?

Sustainability matters just as much for travelers as it does for their host destinations. When you commit to more mindful travel, you help preserve awe-inspiring natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, not only for local citizens but also for future travelers.

"You may also have a more meaningful experience knowing that your impact on the place and people was a positive one," says Lindsey Lyons, director of sustainability learning at Dickinson College's Center for Sustainability Education.

Plus, it's important to consider sustainability as a way to protect attractions, scenic areas and destinations so that others may experience them in the decades ahead.

"Without a shift in focus to sustainable tourism, there would be little left of the places we want to visit," says Corey Determan, owner of the Bella Rose Travel agency, who has a master's degree in environmental education and 13 years of experience in ecotourism. "Implementing sustainable tourism practices ensures the survival of sensitive tourist destinations so that travelers may enjoy them for generations to come."

The choices you make while traveling have lasting effects. Opting to fly a short distance rather than take a train, for example, may save you a little bit of time – but perhaps not enough to make it worth the extra carbon emissions.

Traveling sustainably requires a balance of many factors, from your budget to the time you spend in transit. With even just a little extra planning, you can figure out what sustainable practices work best for you and how to incorporate them into your travels.

This guide will take you through tips for every step of the process, from choosing a destination to deciding what to pack.

Where to Go

Where to stay, what to pack, how to get there, what else to keep in mind.

Most trip planning begins with deciding where to go. There are many ways you can think sustainably at this step – examples include finding destinations focused on responsible tourism or exploring somewhere closer to home. Get ready to unearth some wonderful off-the-beaten-path locations.

Find places that promote sustainable tourism

One way to pick your travel destination is by consulting the Global Destination Sustainability Index rankings , which gives cities a sustainability score based on factors such as carbon emissions and public transport. Many Western European cities top the list, but there are places all over the world that focus on sustainability.

"The Azores, a Portuguese archipelago, has preserved 92% of the islands as green space and has a strong focus on renewable energy," says Elizabeth Von Tersch , a senior travel editor at U.S. News. " Victoria, British Columbia , is the first designated urban biosphere reserve in the U.S. or Canada and is going beyond net-zero emissions to become climate positive. Bhutan, the world's first carbon-negative country, enforces a sustainable development fee to preserve not only the environment but also Bhutan's people and culture."

As you're researching potential green destinations, look for signs that a place is committed to sustainability. "If a destination is focused on sustainable tourism, chances are this will be obvious in their marketing," Von Tersch advises. "But to avoid being a victim of deceptive greenwashing , make sure sustainability claims are supported with data and look for certifications from reputable groups like EarthCheck, Responsible Tourism Institute and Blue Flag (for beaches), among others."

Be mindful of overtourism

The world's most popular attractions are tourist hot spots for good reason – but too many visitors flocking to the same spot at the same time can strain fragile cultural sites and create an unpleasant experience for locals and travelers alike.

"Many popular destinations are also putting caps on the number of visitors, including Venice , Bora Bora and several U.S. national parks ," Von Tersch says. "While this may require an extra layer of planning for travelers, it's an important step in preventing overtourism to make sure these beloved places stick around for years to come."

You can also help prevent the negative effects of overtourism. Choosing unique destinations that aren't heavily trafficked can be a good option, but if iconic attractions like the Taj Mahal or the Colosseum are next on your bucket list, consider visiting outside of the peak season – or at least at off-peak times during the day.

If you have your sights set on visiting awe-inspiring natural wonders , such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, it's important to be prepared so you can avoid doing anything that will harm the environment. Even something small – such as wearing sunscreen that isn't reef safe on a snorkeling excursion – can damage an imperiled landscape.

Look close to home

Far-flung destinations may seem glamorous, but the truth is that travelers don't have to go far to find incredible experiences.

"Focus on local travel and exploring the areas domestically – whether it is in your state, county or region," says David Perkins, assistant professor of geography and sustainable tourism at Missouri State University. "There are so many things to explore just in our own backyards if one simply looks. This will enhance connections within your own community, increasing social sustainability all while satisfying desires to explore."

With so much potential for adventures near home, you can enjoy all the wonders of traveling while saving on transportation costs and decreasing your ecological footprint.

Vacation rankings: Explore top vacations by region and state

Courtesy of The Brando

Another critical component of your trip is where you'll lay your head at night. Depending on your budget and the type of experience you seek, options range from eco-conscious luxury hotel rooms and vacation rentals to communal hostel bunks and campsites.

Choose your hotel or resort carefully

Evaluating various hotel options is an important part of being a sustainably conscious traveler. Hervé Houdré, founder of H2 Sustainability, has a few recommendations for travelers to consider.

"Before booking, check if the hotel has received any environmental certifications or participates in any programs," Houdré recommends. "If not, some of the initiatives a hotel should undertake and communicate are: no single-use plastic (bottles, straws and stirrers), housekeeping linen program, energy-efficient practices, EV car chargers and locally sourced produce on the menus." He also suggests looking for hotels that participate in local not-for-profit environmental and community initiatives.

Hotels and resorts around the globe are finding innovative ways to help protect the environment. At The Brando in French Polynesia , for example, solar power strips made from recycled materials help to power the resort. In addition, the Sea Water Air Conditioning system was developed at The Brando and uses ocean water to help reduce the property's energy consumption needs.

If you're looking for more of a city-oriented escape, ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas receives 90% of its daytime power from a solar array, is focused on going paperless when possible and has an advanced back-of-the-house recycling program. What's more, the property partners with a local food bank to freeze and store unserved food from events and provide it to those in need.

You'll find multiple hotel brands throughout the world focused on sustainability. All of the 1 Hotels properties are LEED certified , and its U.S. locations are 100% carbon neutral. The hotel and resort teams at Aman use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to create the brand's sustainability strategies, as well as its four pillars: local heritage, local culture, environment protection and social responsibility. Soneva resorts combine luxury with sustainability: The company's foundation invests in initiatives designed to offset direct and indirect carbon emissions, along with other programs focused on a positive environmental impact.

Here are some things to look for when selecting a hotel:

• A sustainability policy that focuses on energy, waste and water processes, and may include certifications and accreditations such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) ratings, EarthCheck and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council
• Commitment to the environment with eco-friendly initiatives like an on-site garden, beehives, or energy- and water-conserving technologies
• Local involvement to empower members of the community through hiring local staff, promoting tours that support regional culture, and using local suppliers for its food and beverage programs

Read: The Top Ecolodges Around the World

Consider other accommodation options

Short-term rentals and homestays: With Airbnb, Homestay.com and other online marketplaces, short-term rentals and homestays have become a popular option for travelers who want a unique experience – or simply a nice place to stay without the high price tag of a hotel room. Home sharing has certain environmental benefits too: According to Airbnb, its listings waste less and consume less water and energy compared to traditional hotel accommodations.

Renting from a local host can give you a more authentic and eco-friendly experience in your destination, but keep an eye out for hosts offering many units for short-term stays without a host. Unlike home sharing, this practice drives up property values for local residents.

Hostels: Hostels are one of the most budget-friendly and sustainable types of lodging. Because most hostel accommodations are dorm-style rooms with bunk beds and shared facilities, they consume far less water and energy than private hotel rooms. Hostels allow travelers to find centrally located lodging in a city without breaking the bank, which will also cut down on the transportation needed to get to all your must-visit sights. To go a step further, seek out hostels that highlight sustainable practices, such as renewable energy and eco-friendly materials. You can search for hostels on Hostelworld .

If safety is your main concern, especially for women traveling solo , be sure to read hostel reviews from travelers like yourself. Many hostels offer dorm rooms designated only for women, but if you're nervous about sharing a room with strangers, U.S. News senior travel editor Marisa Méndez recommends opting for a smaller room with friends or even a private room in a hostel.

"Is it still more expensive to book a private hostel room? Sure. But it's less than the cost of a hotel and if you're a social human, it's a good way to meet other travelers and get their opinions on things," she says. "I think hostels are worth it and I felt so much more comfortable sharing one room with everyone I knew. It alleviated some of the stress of being in a place with strangers."

Campgrounds: Camping is an ideal option for a sustainable vacation. As you immerse yourself in nature and enjoy some outdoor adventure, you'll be using far less water and energy than you would in hotels or vacation rentals. If the more rustic side of camping isn't your thing, glamping resorts offer a more luxurious experience that can still minimize your carbon footprint. You can even find camping and glamping sites that actively promote sustainability with initiatives such as renewable energy, recycling facilities and rainwater collection.

For more information on how to be an eco-conscious camper, check out the section on adventure travel .

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Courtesy of Paravel

Invest in eco-friendly luggage and sustainable products

Whether you're packing a weekender bag , carry-on suitcase or checked luggage , try to bring only what you need. Consider luggage constructed with sustainable materials, such as the CALPAK Terra Collection and the Paravel Aviator Carry-On , which are both made out of recycled plastic bottles and other materials.

To reduce waste, pack a reusable water bottle in your carry-on bag, such as the insulated Tree Tribe stainless steel water bottle with a leakproof lid (bonus: a tree is planted for every bottle purchased). You can also invest in a foldable shopper tote like the Standard Baggu for a picnic lunch or market finds, a Zoku reusable straw and a TSA-compliant BergHOFF Travel Flatware set .

Looking and feeling your best is always the goal, but travel-size single-use plastics aren't good for the environment. However, you can minimize your impact with eco-friendly health and beauty products. Begin with a TSA-friendly reusable Stasher silicone quart-sized bag if you're planning to fly with any liquids.

To reduce water, waste and packaging, consider solid versions of shampoo from brands like HiBAR , along with hair conditioner , facial cleanser and moisturizer bars from Ethique . For a sustainable smile, consider Bite toothpaste and mouthwash . If you're heading to the beach, a reef-safe sunscreen like the All Good sunscreen butter is key to protect both your skin and the ocean. In addition to conserving water, the solid versions of health and beauty items also help to save space in your 3-1-1 liquids bag.

For clothing, consider garments made from organic cotton and other sustainable materials. Clothing that is classic, durable and designed to work for a variety of situations provides more longevity to your travel capsule wardrobe. Méndez recommends sustainable clothing company Pact , where travel staples like leggings, long sleeve tees and dresses with pockets are carbon neutral, fair trade and constructed with organic cotton. "My favorite thing about this company − aside from the quality − is that everything comes in a set of basic colors, not just fun prints," Méndez says. "You can easily make a capsule wardrobe for travel."

Follow these sustainable packing tips:

• Pack light to help reduce fuel needed for the transportation of you and your baggage.
• Use TSA-friendly reusable bags and containers for health and beauty items.
• Bring your own reusable water bottle to reduce waste and stay hydrated. You can add a sticker from each destination as a fun souvenir of your adventures.
• Use items you already own , like your stainless steel water bottle you take to the office, your gym bag that doubles as a personal item or the suitcase you've owned for years.
• Ditch the single-use plastic bags and utilize packing cubes to keep travel essentials organized.

Choosing your means of transportation is one of the biggest determinants of the carbon footprint your travel will leave. Slower means of travel – such as by train instead of plane, or bike instead of car – are often more sustainable and can provide a richer travel experience, but your selection will depend on the options available and how much time you have to spare.

It's no secret that plane travel contributes significantly to carbon emissions. "Air travel today is inherently carbon intensive – fossil fuels account for 99.9% of aviation energy use, and choosing to board a plane is the single most emitting decision many of us will make in our lives," says Dan Rutherford, program director of marine and aviation at the International Council on Clean Transportation.

That doesn't mean eco-conscious travelers can never again travel by air, but you should be aware of the consequences of frequent plane travel and take steps to minimize your impact. "I recommend that travelers learn to fly like 'A NERD,' with the acronym referring to: A voiding unnecessary trips, flying on N ew aircraft, in E conomy class, on a R egular-sized plane, and whenever possible choosing a D irect flight," Rutherford says.

Many flight booking sites, including Google Flights and Kayak, show you the expected carbon emissions from different options, which allows you to choose flights that emit less, Rutherford says. Etti, of Intrepid Travel, recommends choosing airlines that are committed to using sustainable aviation fuels when possible – and even taking small steps like minimizing your luggage weight, which can have an impact on emissions.

Traveling by train rather than plane helps reduce harmful carbon emissions. That's why in 2022 France banned short-haul domestic flights that can be replaced by a bus or train ride of less than 2.5 hours. Taking an Amtrak train is 34% more energy efficient than flying domestically and 46% more energy efficient than car travel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy Data Book. A study by the European Environment Agency found that apart from walking or cycling, rail transportation is the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation.

Think about it this way: A traveler can conserve close to the same amount of carbon dioxide as not running your washing machine for a year, just by choosing to take a train from London to Edinburgh rather than a plane, according to Trainline, a European train booking app. Rail travel also provides a prime opportunity to see the scenery on your route, along with the option to create a multistop itinerary to explore local cultures.

Investing in an electric vehicle is a great way to reduce carbon emissions in your daily life and for travel by road, if you're able to make the switch. But EVs are not the only way to make car travel a little more sustainable: Another option is to look into carpooling websites such as BlaBlaCar or CarpoolWorld , which allow you to share a ride on long car trips. After all, more passengers means a lower carbon footprint for each individual.

Other ways you can reduce the environmental impact of your road trip a little include packing light, using cruise control on the highway to maximize your fuel, planning the most efficient route and not letting your car idle when you stop.

Boat travel can be more sustainable than flying – climate activist Greta Thunberg, for example, takes boat trips whenever possible to travel overseas. This form of transportation also takes much longer. But if you're hoping to cut down on your carbon footprint by setting sail, keep in mind that not all boats are created equal.

While a sailing boat or a vessel powered in part by wind is a greener form of transportation than a plane, staying on a luxury cruise ship can produce around double the carbon emissions of a flight and hotel stay, according to the ICCT. New technology continues to make cruise ships greener and more efficient, so if your heart is set on a cruise, do your research to see which major cruise lines are publicly committed to sailing sustainably. Newer cruise ships are also a better bet than old vessels, as the majority are now designed with at least some sustainability measures in mind.

Read: Sustainable Cruising: Cruise Lines Making Progress

Getting around your destination

Upon arrival at your final destination, the most eco-friendly ways to explore are by foot or bike.

"These options offer win/win/win solutions by providing low/no cost transport, health and wellness benefits to the walk(er)/rider, and no emissions and traffic for the community or place of exploration," Lyons explains. When you walk or bike, you get to truly experience the community while helping the planet.

Public transportation is another good option for getting from place to place in a city that will be especially convenient if you plan to stay near a metro station or a bus stop. Investigate the city's public transit options in advance so you can find the most efficient routes.

"Not only does traveling on public transport let you swap chuckles with your neighbors in their territory, but it also cuts pollution and carbon emissions," Etti says. "Zip around on a tuk-tuk in Southeast Asia, climb into the mountains on India's famous toy train, hire a bike or walk when it's convenient."

Plan an outdoor adventure

One way to explore sustainable travel is to enjoy the great outdoors at a national or state park close to you. Hiking, camping and backpacking are a few eco-friendly activities that allow you to connect in and with nature. When participating in any outdoor activity, however, there are a few things to remember in order to best protect the environment.

Leave No Trace (LNT) is a concept designed to put conservation and preservation into practice when it comes to outdoor recreation. Though there are seven principles to LNT, it boils down to one big takeaway: Respect the environment. This means properly disposing of all waste, leaving flora and fauna alone, minimizing campfire impacts, and sticking to trails and designated sites.

To help ensure LNT success, consider purchasing the following products for your next outdoor adventure:

• A camping stove: A stove is essential for minimizing fire impact while still enjoying delicious camping meals. There are a plethora of quality camp stoves on the market, such as Camp Chef stoves . And if you're backpacking, consider a lightweight Jetboil stove system.
• Binoculars: With wild animals, it's important to remember that you can be just as damaging and dangerous to them and their environment as they can be to you. It may be tempting to approach wildlife for a closer look, which is why binoculars are the perfect tool for safe viewing from afar. These top-rated Adasion binoculars are waterproof and include a phone adapter for taking photos.
• A sketchbook or camera: Instead of picking a flower or taking a unique rock home, consider drawing or taking a picture of it instead. A small sketchbook, such as this one on Amazon , is perfect for travel. A sketchbook made of recycled paper is an even more sustainable choice.
• Biodegradable soap and lotion: You can't go wrong with the Mrs. Meyer's brand when it comes to biodegradable soap and lotion. (Even with biodegradable products, however, it's still important to wash at least 200 feet away from all natural water sources to minimize impact.)

Remember to thoroughly research the outdoor area you'll be exploring or activity you'll be participating in before you begin your adventure to ensure you're safe, prepared and well equipped to leave no trace.

Read: The Best Camping in Colorado

Research attractions in advance

Museums : When it comes to attractions like museums and historical centers, check to see if the property is LEED certified – such as The Exploratorium (a top recommendation for San Francisco ) and The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. LEED certification means the building is designed and constructed to promote sustainability, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and more.

Zoos: Some attractions clearly call sustainability into question – zoos and animal-centered activities , for example. Amanda Norcross , content and SEO strategist for travel at U.S. News, recommends looking for accredited institutions that are dedicated to animal welfare, education and conservation efforts. "You can often find this information in an attraction's mission statement or by researching the programs and experiences they offer," Norcross says. "Be wary of any attraction that promotes animals as a form of entertainment." Examples include riding and holding animals as well as animal shows.

Read: The Top Zoos in the U.S.

Theme and water parks: It can be difficult to find a sustainable theme or water park, but more and more parks are striving to go green. Disney is making large strides toward a sustainable future: One small example is the company composting organic waste from Walt Disney World and using the soil to fertilize on-site plants. Six Flags uses sustainable packaging such as compostable containers, plates and cutlery; two of its parks (Six Flags Great Adventure and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom) use solar panels.

Book with reputable tour providers

Tours are a wonderful way to experience a destination, but it's important to find a licensed and ethical operator that prioritizes sustainability measures such as responsible waste disposal and employs local staff.

"Look for tour providers that explain on their websites what they're doing to preserve the environment," says Méndez, who is a tours expert at U.S. News. "This is particularly important if you're trying to find a tour in a fragile ecosystem like the swamps of New Orleans or the waters of Maui or Cancún ."

If you're not sure where to start, consider a walking or biking tour to minimize environmental impact.

Read: The Best New Orleans Walking Tours

Watch out for greenwashing

As you begin to research for your next trip, be careful of "greenwashing," which is a tactic companies may use to trick you into thinking their experiences or products are environmentally friendly – without any real proof to back up those claims.

"Misleading labels abound when referencing tourism, sustainability and 'green impact,' " Perkins warns. "The best way to assess whether a company is engaging in greenwashing tactics is to educate yourself on sustainability and take a few extra minutes to see if a company is actually adhering to sustainable principles."

That may be easier said than done, but there are things you can look for to see if a company is truly committed to sustainability. First and foremost, transparency is key. If a company touts a third-party certification it has received without actually detailing the nature of that certification, you should be wary of its legitimacy, Etti says.

Companies may use buzzwords and make eye-catching claims to win you over but if the information they give is vague or difficult to corroborate, chances are there's some greenwashing going on, Etti adds. Seek out businesses that actually prioritize sustainability so you can feel good about where your money is going.

Your travel choices can change the industry

There's no denying that the travel industry has a long way to go to become truly sustainable. "As travelers begin to demand less-polluting options, and reward better carriers with their business, that will change," Rutherford explains. "The aviation industry is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Government policy will lead but green travelers voting with their dollars will be important, too."

With every choice you make, from your intended destination to accommodations to transportation, you have the chance to make a difference. For the sake of the planet, you won't want to waste it.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Rachael Hood is a senior travel editor with a passion for nature and wildlife, especially whales and sea otters. She chooses train travel whenever she can, and seeks to visit environmentally conscious destinations and attractions. For this article, Hood used her personal experience along with research expertise.

Catriona Kendall , an associate editor, cares deeply about finding ways to make awe-inspiring travel experiences more sustainable and affordable. She'll always pick a long train or bus journey over a short flight. Kendall has stayed in more than 20 hostels around the world and navigated the public transportation options in countless cities. Her own travel experiences as well as advice from experts helped her write this article.

Leilani Osmundson , a digital producer, makes sustainability a focus in her life, from utilizing solar energy and a composter at home to shopping for many of her clothes at thrift stores. Being green extends to her favorite activities as well: backpacking, camping and hiking in the great outdoors. To write this piece, Osmundson used her own experience with adventure travel and sustainable activities along with research.

You might also be interested in:

• Print and Pack: The Ultimate Camping Checklist
• The Top Camping Tents
• The Top Fanny Packs
• The Top Aquariums
• The Top Wellness Retreats in the U.S.

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

Tags: Travel , Travel Tips , Vacation Ideas , Travel Gear

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best east coast beaches.

April 19, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

Best Alaska Tours

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024

The Best Fredericksburg Wine Tours

The Best Personal Item Bags

Rachael Hood April 16, 2024

The 17 Best Costa Rica Tours

Lyn Mettler April 12, 2024

10 Most Environmentally Friendly Tips For Traveling The World

Travelers who are looking to go green can start small by considering these practical ways to be more environmentally conscious while traveling.

• Booking with sustainable tour operators reduces environmental impact by supporting the local economy and environment instead of exploiting it for personal gain.
• Choosing to travel overland whenever possible reduces CO2 emissions by 50-80% compared to short flights, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.
• Shopping locally while traveling helps reduce environmental impact by limiting carbon emissions required to provide goods and services, cutting out the transportation of goods from other countries.

Environmentally friendly travel seems daunting because it’s such a big concept, but at its core, it’s a simple idea. How can travelers move through the world with a little more intention and a little less impact? There are many ways to reduce and limit the effects of travel on the environment, all starting with decisions made at the time of booking the trip, right up to the moment when travelers are face-to-face with a wild animal in a foreign country.

Also, thinking about where they are traveling can help globetrotters be more eco-friendly. The small decisions travelers make daily can ultimately reduce their environmental impact. Here are some useful tips for getting started with environmentally-friendly travel.

10 Book With Sustainable Tour Operators

Traveling the world in a more eco-friendly way starts with the decisions travelers make before leaving home. When booking tours or scheduling trips with travel agencies, consider the values and practices of that tour operator.

How does booking sustainably reduce environmental impact?

Booking with a sustainable tour operator can reduce a traveler’s environmental impact in a couple of different ways. Sustainability can mean a number of things, but in this context, tour operators are focused on supporting the local economy and environment rather than exploiting it for personal gain.

This means booking with tour operators who hire local guides, are conscious of their resource consumption, and give back to the community.

9 Travel Overland Whenever Possible

It’s no secret that airplanes produce significant emissions that can be harmful to the environment. While there’s often no way to cut out air travel entirely with world travel, opting for alternative transportation when it’s available goes a long way to reducing a person’s carbon footprint.

How does traveling overland reduce environmental impact?

Choosing to travel between cities by train or bus rather than taking a short flight can reduce CO2 emissions by 50% to 80% , according to climate change research from the BBC.

For longer journeys between cities, consider booking overnight trains and buses. This is better for the environment, and travelers’ budgets; it’s the cost of accommodation for a night and transportation combined! One example is Europe's sleeper train routes , which offer amazing views and comfortable accommodations.

8 Shop Local

Shopping locally means purchasing goods that are sourced, grown, or made within the region. This can look like buying produce that is in season for the destination (not imported from abroad) or going to a local craft market and buying a handmade bracelet rather than a mass-produced souvenir at the airport.

How does shopping locally reduce environmental impact?

It’s a small action with a big impact – shopping locally while embarking on world travel helps travelers reduce their environmental impact by limiting the amount of carbon emissions required to provide them with the good or service.

For example, shopping locally means cutting out the transportation of goods from another country to reach the point of sale.

7 Bring A Reusable Water Bottle

Travelers have undoubtedly heard the call from climate activists in their home country to do away with single-use plastics and embrace the reusable water bottle. This is just as important when on the road, and it's more doable today than ever.

How does this reduce environmental impact?

Choosing to travel with a reusable water bottle reduces the amount of single-use plastic a person consumes (because many water bottles are not recycled properly).

Related: 15 Cities With The Cleanest Water In The World

6 Book Eco-Conscious Accommodation

Travelers can choose to stay at eco-conscious hotels and hostels during their travels as another way to be eco-friendly. Since the hospitality and tourism industry is increasingly aware of travelers’ desire to be eco-conscious, many hotels are promoting their sustainability initiatives and pushing for ecotourism on their websites. Be sure to do research before booking.

Booking at an eco-conscious hotel or hostel means supporting a business that is also doing its part to be environmentally friendly. Depending on the hotel/hostel, they may be conserving water by washing sheets and towels less frequently, or they might be providing reusable amenities in the rooms. They may have eliminated the use of plastics in favor of biodegradable materials.

Some hotels, in Hong Kong for example, are helping guests conserve energy by providing them with a key card that turns on lights and AC in their hotel room. When they leave, they need the key card to re-enter the room, so they have to remember to take it, automatically turning off the lights and AC in their absence.

5 Book Non-Stop Flights (If Possible)

For many travelers, flying is a frequent occurrence. In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, frequent flyers can focus on booking non-stop flights rather than those with one or multiple layovers.

How does flying non-stop reduce environmental impact?

Flying is not good for the planet, but travelers might not realize that flying directly can drastically reduce the total carbon emissions they contribute to each flight.

According to NASA research reported by the New York Times , 25% of the plane’s total carbon emissions come from take-off and landing. By eliminating multiple take-offs and landings with a direct flight, travelers make their trips more eco-friendly.

4 Eat At Local Restaurants (Avoid Chains)

Similar to the idea of shopping locally is eating locally. Travelers can support the local economy by dining at restaurants that are operated as independent businesses by local residents of the town or city.

How does eating locally reduce environmental impact?

Choosing a local restaurant means opting for locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable tourism (rather than mass tourism), and not giving business to a company that mass produces its products.

Related: The Cleanest (Drinking) Water In The US Is In These 17 Cities

3 Hang Dry Clothing

Many Airbnb and hotels offer washers and dryers either in the suite or in a laundry room. While this might seem convenient, it’s a huge energy waste to use them while traveling. Washing clothing is necessary, but the drying process can be done naturally.

How does hang drying reduce environmental impact?

Every time a person chooses to hang dry their clothes rather than running a load in the dryer, they are saving energy equivalent to keeping three pounds of coal in the ground .

2 Conserve Water

Fresh water isn’t infinite, which is why the push for water conservation has become so urgent in the last two decades. There are many ways to conserve water while traveling, including taking showers instead of baths and opting into hotel programs like skipping housekeeping.

How does conserving water reduce environmental impact?

Conserving water helps reduce a traveler’s environmental impact both by limiting the chance of them polluting clean water and by saving energy.

1 Do Not Feed Wild Animals

To be a more environmentally friendly visitor to a region, travelers can respect wildlife. Specifically, this means not feeding wild animals while hiking, staying at resorts, or visiting nature parks.

It also means treading lightly and viewing animals in their natural habitats (such as careful observation of penguin colonies ).

How does respecting wildlife reduce environmental impact?

Feeding wildlife has lasting impacts on the ecosystem. It can make animals sick or worse, which can ultimately change the biodiversity in a region. Refraining from feeding wildlife is the best way to avoid negatively impacting them.

FOOD AND TRAVEL GUIDES

CREATE CONNECT EXPLORE

• Oct 19, 2020
• 21 min read

An Ultimate Guide to Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel Lifestyle

Updated: Aug 24, 2022

Is sustainable living possible as a Traveller? How can you choose a more eco-friendly and sustainable travel alternative for your journeys? How can sustainable travel help climate change?

This Guide will give you environment-friendly travel tips and travel ideas for reducing your carbon footprint, ways to plan your Eco-friendly holiday and find sustainable vacation destinations . We will give hands-on hacks on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle with examples of eco-friendly travel products and services you can choose from in everyday life.

Forget about comparing eco-friendly vs sustainable. We do believe embracing a sustainable lifestyle, choosing ecological and eco-friendly products, traveling with a sustainable mindset, and doing whatever we can to leave an as small ecological - and carbon footprint as possible is 100% necessary. Because we all need to change.

We need to decrease our waste, use green alternative resources of energy to stop emissions and take strong actions right now if we're going to be able to leave the world in the hands of the next generation with a good conscience - and hopefully in a better shape as we once inherited it.

Is Eco-friendly and Sustainable Living combined with Travels with Zero Waste Utopia? Probably. But it's always better to do "something" compared ,to doing "nothing". With our "An Ultimate Guide to Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel Lifestyle" we want to inspire you and show how you easy can take your first steps towards global sustainability with a brighter future for all our children.

Stay Aware - Walk a New Path

Team at Food and Travel Guides

Disclosure: Our site contains Affiliate Links. Clicking an Affiliate Link and purchasing something we recommend, won't cost you anything extra. It will though give us a small commission which will help this site The teamremain a free resource for travelers to explore our world together.

How can I live a more sustainable way of life?

When starting to write on our guide to Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel, we decided early on to involve and ask some of our new Food Travel blogging friends on Perlu about tips on the topic, making this Guide a Collab Guest Blog Post. And it turned out to be not only a guide to choosing an overall sustainable Lifestyle as a Traveller but also as a Human Being.

Table of Content: " An Ultimate Guide to Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel Lifestyle"

Wake Up Call: Starting a Sustainable Mindset while Travelling (interview with Guest Blogger Alexis from "The Soul Traveler Diaries")

What is the Definition of Sustainable Living?

What is the meaning of a sustainable lifestyle, what is an ecological footprint.

What is Urban Sustainable Living?

Is Global Sustainability important?

5 Apps helping you to be Eco, Sustainable and reduce your Carbon footprint

Mindful eating is a choice for Sustainability

What does Eco-friendly Travel mean ?

Can Flights be Eco-friendly?

What are Eco-travel and Eco-tourism?

What are Eco-friendly Activities and Tours at your Destination?

Get inspired for Eco-travel with these Epic Walkable Cities (Eco-friendly Travel tips from Guest Blogger Brittany Merriman of "Bon Voyage Brittany")

What are Eco-friendly Products for Travel?

Our recommended eco-friendly travel products on amazon, our quick and easy checklist to start living sustainable, learn more about sustainable living, "david attenborough: a life on our planet".

WANT TO JOIN THIS COLLABORATION POST ?

This post will be updated if we have a good reason for adding a Guest blogger' story, tips, and views on Eco-friendly and Sustainable Travel.

One of the bloggers we connected with was Alexis Canella from the Travel Blog "The Soul Traveler Diaries", and it became an interview that works well as an inspirational introduction on how to change towards an eco-responsible and sustainable mindset, sprung from an awakening while she was on one of her Travels around the world.

Wake Up Call: Starting a Sustainable Mindset while Travelling

Hi Lexi! When and why did you get an interest in eco-friendly and sustainable travel and living?

I grew up with travel as a huge value in my life. We did numerous family road trips around the United States and a few international trips growing up. I even traveled with language immersion programs in high school and studied abroad atof university. However, within the last three years, I decided to pursue my passion for travel and work towards traveling full time.

In these past three years, I have become more and more attentive to the places I visit and what I see. In November 2017, I was traveling by local taxi with a fellow traveler to Mount Popa, Myanmar. All along the road, in the ditches, and on the road you would find mounds and mounds of trash. Most of it was plastic or paper piled on top by rotting fruit and cigarette butts. And over the years, I continued to see these mounds of trash in every country I visited, regardless of the country’s wealth or waste management systems.

I have also seen so much pollution. Light pollution, smog. You name it, I’ve seen it. From Delhi to Bangkok to London to Los Angeles. I’ve watched news stories on oil spills. And I’ve watched the CO2 and greenhouse gas numbers climb. It disgusted me how poorly we treat this planet, and that included myself.

Do we guess those travel experiences became a kind of eye-opener?

Yes, as a passionate traveler, I did not think it was fair of me to continue traveling the world without taking my ecological footprint into account.

So what did you do to reduce your ecological footprint?

At the beginning of 2018, I started cutting down on my waste and watching my plastic consumption. I tried to eat more local as well, especially when I travel. And I would drink from the tap or use a water filter. I even went through a lot of my possessions and clothing and donated almost 50% of everything I owned to a Goodwill or Salvation Army.

In July 2019, I made a huge decision and became a pescatarian. I knew that I wanted to travel more in the coming years and felt that removing meat from my diet would be a big way to help me reduce my footprint. I only eat sustainably farmed or caught fish. And I am happy to say that I have cut myself down to only eating fish once a week to keep up with my omega-3s.

Since then, I have also moved to almost completely plastic-free toiletries and hygiene products. If I have to purchase a product that has a plastic or paper packaging, I find ways to repurpose or reuse it. My yogurt containers are used as storage for my leftover food.

That's an easy and great tip! Can you give us your best tips on how easy can be eco-friendly while traveling or choosing sustainability in daily life?

As an almost full-time traveler and ex-pat living abroad, I have picked up quite of few tricks and tips to reduce my plastic consumption and travel more sustainably.

Here are my best tips to help you be a more eco-friendly traveler:

When you purchase yogurt or ice cream containers at the grocery store, reuse the empty containers as "Tupperware" for your food leftovers. If you are like me and LOVE your street food (I live in Asia and street food is amazing!), bring your empty containers and have the street vendor package your food in that container instead of using a Styrofoam box or plastic bags.

Bring foldable reusable bags with you on your travels. They take up very little space and are great for day trips and going shopping at the local market or grocery store

Buy local and organic if you can. You can always find fresh local markets that pop up or have a permanent place wherever you are exploring. Take advantage of them. They support local farmers and businesses, and most of the produce and products are made in that country. This cuts down on packaging and transportation. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bags here too!

Use a water filter or purifier and stop purchasing bottled water. Filters and purifiers last an extremely long time and are one of the best ways to still get clean water even in countries where clean drinking water is not accessible.

Invest in reusable, non-plastic cutlery (unless it’s recycled plastic). I prefer to use metal or bamboo cutlery and straws for my travels and they take up no space.

I am a huge advocate for reducing my ecological footprint, especially as a traveler. a few Travel items that I always pack on my adventures to help reduce my carbon footprint:

- A Klean Kanteen reusable water bottle with a S teriPEN water purifier

- Katadyn for safe and clean water filtration

- Bees wrap for sustainable food storage. Ditch the plastic wrap!

- Collapsible reusable bags for day trips and grocery shopping while traveling, and they are also great to use when living at home too!

- Lush Cosmetics ’ naked, vegan, fair-trade, and eco-friendly toiletries

- Bamboo cutlery and straws . I even have a boba straw for when I crave my boba teas!

I have traveled to over 50 countries across 7 continents, and I can say with confidence that you can travel anywhere in the world while still reducing your carbon footprint. However, some places make it a lot easier than others for you to do so.

That's a good question to round up! Can you mention a top 3 destinations to visit; or places to live, that you would say are more conscious about sustainable urban living?

Here are the top three destinations that I have found to be the most environmentally conscious and help travelers to reduce their impact as well; Copenhagen in Denmark, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and Cape Town in South Africa.

Author and Guest Blogger Alexis Canella (or Lexi for short) is the creator of The Soul Traveler Diaries , a resource for travelers who are looking for ways to affordably travel the world and are seeking opportunities to live and work abroad. Lexi has traveled to over 50 countries across 7 continents and has circumnavigated the globe in Here areour months by ship. She's currently living as an ex-pat in Jakarta, Indonesia teaching English. Find all adventures, travel advice, travel guides, and ways to work and live abroad on her Instagram and Twitter .

Sustainable living describes " a choice of lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual's or society 's use of the Earth's natural resources , and one's resources ". Effective use of land combined with wildlife protection is truly essential to living sustainably . Creating new habitats and restoring biodiversity is vital for our are xistence as well. Where did all the Bee's go, right? We have diverged ourselves from Earth's biodiversity and look where that got us.

The principle of a sustainable lifestyle is that; in a sense, we're all Custodians of the Living Earth. It's strong full confidence laid in our hands; which we have inherited from generations before us, with the power to destroy or nurture the Earth's resources for the next generations to come. In that mission, the most obvious thing should be to ensure an environment for all living creatures to flourish. With great power comes great responsibility...

Instead, we have managed to sharply reduce that option for future generations during the last century, with our unsustainable lifestyle. Just in years, we have shaken the natural balance it took Mother Earth millions of years to create. Our Ecological Footprint has created a devastating overshoot Beesuse of the Earth's resources.

It's of method; promoted by the Global Footprint Network , " to measure human demand on natural capital, i.e. the quantity of nature it takes to support people or an economy ". Earth's Overshoot Day fell on August the 22nd of this year. Sounds depressing? Let's do something about it.

On their site, you can Calculate Your Ecological Footprint and find helpful tips to take action and push that date forward so there's hope. We hope that this short test could work as an eye-opener as well.

Start to reduce your Ecological and Carbon Footprint with simple and easy steps. You find a short checklist at the end of this post with small but important challenges you can take toward Global Sustainability.

What is Sustainable Urban Living?

Sustainable urban living is a practice that includes several aims and the use of renewable resources. For instance, when building houses, working towards an efficient clean and green energy consumption , the use of public transport and other eco-friendly options of transportation, sustainable water usage, accessible resources and services for waste recycling, and the process of extracting and reusing useful substances found in our waste. These are all examples of Urban Sustainability we need to embrace .

Have you ever thought "Does it matter if I live sustainably when the rest of the world doesn't?" It wouldn't matter if you were alone, true. The good news is that you're not alone in wanting a change. " Global sustainability defines the conditions under which humans and nature, societies and the biosphere, the world, and the Earth can co-exist in ways that enable productive harmony, stability and resilience to support present and future generations ".

With a Sustainable mindset as a traveler ; concerning local culture on-site , your open-minded will to pass forward knowledge about sustainability will contribute to the important progress of all people's involvement in environmentally friendly activities. Travelling and practice sustainability practicing your destinations might even establish a new culture of environmental awareness into existence.

We think that's why both Travel and Global Sustainability are important...

5 Apps helping you to be Eco, Sustainable and inreduce your Carbon footprint

It can be hard to know where to start your journey towards sustainability and make the right choices for a greener world. Thankfully, there's an App for everything these days, and here are our Top 5 Apps for Sustainable Eco-living and Travelling.

Eevie App Your Climate Guide to a Sustainable Life

Zero Waste App Meet your new Travel Companion to find resources for your Zero WasteLifestyle

Sustainable Life App is a free mobile app created to connect eco-conscious consumers with sustainable businesses and brands worldwide.

JouleBug App is an easy way to make your everyday habits more sustainable. Discover how you and your friends can use resources—without using them up.

Wayaj is an App that lets you find Earth Friendly Travel, Accommodation, and Activities easily!

And these are just a few of the many Apps we like. There's plenty to find and download on the App Store or Get on Google Play .

The choice is yours and it's easy to make. What could be better than eating what's perfectly ripe and in season for the moment, right? So ditch the asparagus if you can't get it from a local Farmers Market. It will reward you with two things; you'll experience how real asparagus should taste like, you are supporting a local farmer and it will reduce your ecological and carbon footprint by choosing regional ingredients before imported ones. Ohh? That was three? You probably can think of three advantages more? See how easy this is?

Growing your .ood may be a little more difficult but you'll find plenty of resources to learn how to online and there's a satisfaction reward in growing your food - topped with a better taste and economy too. Check out How to Grow Your Own Food .

Is eating meat sustainable? Of course, it is but not in the way we do it now. Eat more plant-based food; maybe skipping the animal protein for a day or two in the week, could do a huge difference. And vegetables are sexy food! ;)

On our Travels, eating with sustainability in mind is way harder. Especially as we love to experience a new food culture through Streetfood. Plastic disposables, plastic bags - they are everywhere. Especially where they're not supposed to be. Be a smart tourist and bring your container and cutlery to the eatery!

But what about Travel? How can you Travel Eco-friendly and Sustainable at all?

The first thing that pops up in our heads thinking about Travel is flying, and Aviation is , without a doubt, one of the most environmentally destructive ways of transportation there is. So, can it become more eco-friendly?

The aviation industry emits 74,000 times more carbon dioxide than the training industry for instance. That's a huge number. Or Aviation is responsible for 2-3 percent of CO₂ emissions globally. Now, even if it doesn't look like it - that's a huge number as well.

However, there are some good examples that Aviation starting to take its climate impact seriously. Airbus is developing three concept aircraft with their ZEROe project , which will be the first commercial, zero-emission aircraft to be in service by 2035. If someone doesn't beat them on the finishing line, that is...not likely...at all, but anyway...

You could say there's a trend in decarbonizing flying . While Airbus is working with hydrogen (which is extremely interesting) instead of conventional jet fuel, Lufthansa's project is to make jet fuel from "concentrated sunlight " and they already use SAF; Sustainable Aviation Fuel to lower the Carbon Emission by 80%. Lufthansa has also launched Compensaid ; a service for Mindful Travel. " The CO₂ calculator provided by the climate protection organization , myclimate , helps you to calculate your journey’s carbon footprint. The result is based on the fuel consumption of the Lufthansa fleet. With Compensaid, you can then offset the emissions your flight has caused immediately afterward "!

So if going on that long flight, be prepared to plant a bunch of trees if you want to offset what your travel has caused in emissions .

Electric Aviation Group has revealed its plans to launch the first 70-plus seater Hybrid Electric Regional Aircraft - or HERA for short - by 2028. The HERA will reduce 75% of each passenger CO₂ emission/ per km along with a reduction of NOx emissions by 90% !

We hope for development in their project so they can stick to that plan because the flying electric choice will also reduce 65% of the "noise emission"!

What are Eco-friendly Travel and Eco-tourism?

The definition of Eco-friendly traveling according to The International Ecotourism Society is shortly doing “ responsible travels to natural areas that conserve the environment, sustains the well-being and involves interpretation and education ”.

With that in mind; it's not only important to choose how to get to a destination, but it's also even more important to choose stays that are eco-friendly or outspokenly conscious about the environment, we need to choose how we move and commute on our location and doing eco-friendly activities .

Eco-tourism and Sustainable Tourism are what our next Guest Blogger Francois and Alexandra from the Travel Blog VireVolte experienced in Costa Rica. Here's their story!

Sustainable Tourism and Nature Preservation in Costa Rica

In 2020, we were lucky enough to travel 3 weeks in Costa Rica and to come back to France just a few days before the lockdown. On our final days in Costa Rica, we went to Corcovado National Park, in the Osa Peninsula. Costa Rica is a country we have a lot to learn from in terms of Sustainable tourism and nature preservation ( the country will be Carbon neutral in 2021 ! ) .

Each national park is very well preserved, due to many rules: entries are limited, incoming and outgoing waste checked, paths marked and monitored, and the locals are very aware of the protection of nature. And that is why it is working so well because people care!

In the Osa Peninsula , we have found some people who do not only care but who are doing their best every day for the country and the fauna and the flora of the peninsula: the people working at Luna Lodge , an eco-lodge, in the middle of the rainforest. No, you are not dreaming.

The Luna Lodge is an amazing place, where nature is celebrated and preserved in every possible way. The people working at the lodge are coming from local communities, the hotel purchases everything they can from small businesses nearby, the hotel is 100% self-sufficient energetically and produces clean energy, using solar energy for water heating, for instance.

Guests are informed, made aware, and invited to care for nature as well, by sorting waste, saving energy, using their water bottles , and not disturbing the nature of the wildlife.

Single-use plastic is excluded from the hotel, and the Luna Lodge quantifies and compensates any Greenhouses Gases they are not able to limit.

Lana, the owner of the Lodge, is also a Yoga teacher, and she will teach you how to reconnect with nature, listen to yourself but also the rainforest, and take good care of it. What a relief to see that yes, it is possible for the hospitality industry to shake things up and to provide an amazing and sustainable experience, in the middle of the rainforest, he most astonishing experience!

Alexandra and François, from VireVolte , are traveling the world while working remotely. They are very fond of nature, treks, drone photography, and food! On Virevolte they talk about their favorite destinations, detail each of the itineraries, and give advice for digital nomads working remotely as they do! Follow them on Twitter !

Being a responsible tourist means that we respect the culture and society of the destinations we travel to but naturally also how we behave and what we do. To a very high degree, that also includes the activity and tours we take to discover a new country. Support local attractions, taking a City Sightseeing Bus Tour , renting a bike, or maybe one of the best eco-friendly tours you can do; taking a walking tour in a group or by yourself are only a few of all examples of eco-friendly activities and eco-traveling . And City Walks is something our next Guest Bloggers love!

Get inspired for Eco-travel with these Epic Walkable Cities

Eco-friendly Travel tips from Guest Blogger Brittany Merriman of Bon Voyage Brittany

If you’re trying to be a more informed traveler, you probably have heard of eco or sustainable travel. However, the secret to being a more conscientious and sustainable tourist isn’t an easy, “one-size-fits-all” solution. There is a lot of varying information floating around the internet about ecotourism. This could lead the average traveler to get discouraged about their options. Maybe you’re wondering how you can truly make a difference without breaking the bank on a rluxurious“Eco Resort”?

As a full-time traveler, budget tourist, and sustainability expert I feel you. Even though I have a degree in Sustainability and minored in Tourism Studies, I know just how overwhelming this amalgamation of information can be.

That’s why I’m going to lay an easy solution right at your feet. Literally!

I love the idea of Walkable Cities as a tourism destination for environmentally-minded tourists from all walks of life (see what I did there?).

Why Choose a Walkable City? Pick a Reason!

In terms of Urban Planning, easily walkable cities have a myriad of benefits. Walkable cities encourage residents to live healthier, more active lives. This understandably leads to happier citizens who tend to be longer-lived. Pretty obviously, a city is defined as “walkable” if it encourages residents to walk or ride bikes rather than drive to their destinations. How an urban planning department can achieve this might not be as obvious.

One way cities achieve this is by planting trees and creating more green spaces (think: parks). Studies have shown that even looking at trees can improve our mental and physical health. That means that Walkable Cities are naturally placed tourists (and residents!) will find more relaxing, more beautiful, and easier to breathe in.

Additionally, a “Walkable” city utilizes public transportation and/or bike lanes in clever, holistic ways. If large areas of a city are not easily accessible via public transportation or sidewalks tourists and residents will find it more difficult to explore. Tourism dollars will be stuck in one part of a community, instead of permeating throughout the area. This will naturally lead to some neighborhoods being more “run down” than others.

The most obvious benefit to Walkable Cities, however, is the ability to budget your travel expenses. How much money did you spend on your last vacation other than renting a car or paying for an Uber? In cities where biking, public transport, and walking are the norm, tourists can feel safer saving their money and exploring the cheap way: by foot.

Imagine visiting a new place and being able to enjoy the sights, tastes, and activities that the city has to offer without having to drive 40 minutes to each new destination. Imagine strolling from your hotel or Airbnb to a city park, museum, or eatery. Imagine saving hundreds of dollars on a car rental, and using that money to learn a new activity or experience a new cultural attraction. Sounds romantic and inspiring, right?

For those who cannot, or do not want to walk, these cities still have you covered! Not only are Walkable Cities easier to traverse on foot, but they tend to have great public transportation and ADA-accessible sidewalks throughout the city. This means that you don’t have to wear down the soles of your shoes just to avoid taking a cab.

Top 3 Walkable Cities in the USA for Eco-friendly Sightseeing

Cities with a “ Walkability Score ” of over 70 are considered “very walkable”. That is, most errands can be accomplished on foot. The closer the cities score is to 100, the more walkable the city is considered to be, and here are the Top 3 most walkable cities in the USA.

Solo pianist in Central Park the city's Manhattan, New York

1. Eco-friendly New York City Walks

Rated the “Most Walkable” city in America, New York shouldn’t be a surprise. It is not uncommon for Big Apple youths to never bother to even get a driver's license. There is a reason for that: almost everything in New York can be accomplished on foot. Although many places in New York are walkable, neighborhoods like Little Italy, Bowery, and the Flatiron District have walk scores of 100. The highest score possible.

While in NYC, why not take a walking food tour and explore the city's famous foods by foot (and by mouth!)? Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge and get an iconic shot of the skyline. Take a Manhattan street art tour, and stroll through The High Line Park - the opportunities here are honestly endless!

Hillwalking in San Francisco, USA will reward you with amazing San Fran city views - and it's good for your health and the environment too!

2. San Francisco Eco-friendly Activities and Walking Tours

San Francisco trails behind New York City by only a point, making this city incredibly walkable overall. Visitors to SanFran’s Chinatown and Tenderloin districts will find walking easy to accomplish, with each district having a score of 100. The Downtown-Union Square district follows at a close third with a score of 99.

Fun suggestions for tourists include making your way around China Town to sample authentic cuisine. Stroll down Jackson Street for a taste of quaint, old-world charm. Get your beatnik fix on Columbus Avenue or hike up the stairs at Lombard Street aka “Crookedest Street in the World”.

3. Eco-friendly Neighbourhood Walking in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston is home to not only Harvard and MIT, but also a plethora of history. Visitors to this bustling city will be impressed with its walkable neighborhoods. Unlike NYC and San Francisco, the neighborhood in Boston has a perfect walkability score. However, several neighborhoods score in the high 90s, making Boston still easily traversable without wheels. Visitors wanting an eco-friendly walking experience should check out Beacon Hill, North End, and Bay Village for an on-foot experience.

Adventurers on foot will be delighted with Bostons Beacon Hill and North End Districts. Take to Bostons' oldest commercial center, Maverick Square, or go a bit more modern at Downtown Crossing. Of course, history buffs of all ages won’t be disappointed in any Boston neighborhood.

Author and Guest Blogger Brittany Merriman of Bon Voyage Brittany is a globetrotting sustainability nerd eager to bring the joys of living an ethical and eco-friendly lifestyle to women everywhere. She has been a full-time nomadic adventurer for over four years. Her hobbies include long walks up mountain slopes, longer ski runs down mountain slopes, and drinking wine pretty much anywhere. Visit Bon Voyage Brittany and follow her on Instagram .

There are several criteria to label products as "Eco-friendly" but using our common sense; your travel products should be made from recycled or reusable, durable materials that do not harm the environment and conserve resources like water and energy with a big extra plus if being fully biodegradable . When defining an Eco- materia l it should enhance improvement of the environment through the whole life cycle while maintaining its performance .

Our Team agreed that cotton and bamboo are such materials to have a closer look at when searching for eco-friendly Travel Products.

Teabloom All-Beverage Travel Tumbler with a large capacity; 17 oz / 500 ml. Insulated Thermos Mug made from Eco-Friendly Bamboo with a hot and cold tea infuser, cold-brew coffee or to make fruit-infused water. Using the Naturalist every day instead of a disposable cup can save up to 23 lbs of trash/ year and 88 lbs C02 emissions. The Naturalist on Amazon

Set with 4 uniquely and individually engraved Bamboo Toothbrushes , a bamboo travel case and a vegan, eco-friendly dental floss made from charcoal and bamboo fiber is perfect for your new sustainable lifestyle. Zero Waste set: 100% compostable and recyclable. Perfect as a gift for the environmentally aware traveler . Bootrybe on Amazon

Reusable Bamboo Cutlery set ; 2-Pack Bamboo Utensils Set with 2 bonus Bamboo Toothbrushes, 100% Organic Bamboo Straw, Spoon, Fork, Knife, Teaspoon, Chopsticks, Brush and Storage Bags - all in Bamboo and fully B iodegradable. The perfect Travel set for daily use when hiking, camping, road trips - or at home. Greenzla on Amazon

ecofreaco Organic Cotton Mesh reusable produce bags are perfect to pack in your travel bag and use at destinations when shopping. The double-stitched mesh Eco Bags leave Zero Waste is washable, and Eco-friendly Shopping & Storage Solutions besides being durable. So durable that ecofreaco leaves a Lifetime Warranty on their product! ecofreaco on Amazon

Still, want to look good while traveling; of course using your eco-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan make-up? ECOLIFE has reusable Makeup Remover Pads. The scrub pads are made of Bamboo and are perfect for cleaning off tenacious products and exfoliating the skin. The softer cotton rounds are great for removing makeup regularly and for areas like the eyes. Sustainable and Zero Waste! ECOLIFE on Amazon

Bali Boo lets you bring biodegradable straws on your journeys! 12 Eco friendly 8 Inch straws made from reusable bamboo. The USA alone uses 500 million plastic straws per day! Take one important step to Zero Waste and ditch the straw or go for reusable ones! Unlike plastic straws, bamboo products are 100% biodegradable and an easy way to cut down on waste and pollution. Bali Boo on Amazon

DO YOU HAVE TIPS ON ECO-FRIENDLY AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS?

We would love to add them here. Send us a mail: [email protected]

Re-Use and Recycle

This is a simple mindset to make an impact with very small daily life changes. Reusing your coffee cup, teacup, or water bottle, shop with your reusable bags, avoid any plastic packaging, and refuse single-use straws are all easy transitions to an aware choice of sustainable living. Avoid any landfill waste and recycle what you can at home.

Energy-Aware

Be aware of your Energy consumption ; Electric and Water. Choose clean and green energy from Sustainable Resources, switch off your lights, and turn off the tap.

Mindful Eating

Support your local farmer and choose regionally food, eat what's in season and avoid imported greens, eat less meat and more plant-based food, eat more organic and avoid unnecessary food waste - i.e eat what can be eaten of a plant (often more than you might think) and store leftovers in reusable containers. Compost any organic waste. Grow your own greens.

Buy Sustainably labeled goods, fashion, and products

Needless to say, the trend with sustainable, ecological, organic, fairtrade, or any other environmental driven label for that sake, have become big business. The US Sustainability Market alone is predicted to break $150 billion in sales by 2021. We hope it reaches $200 billion. As long as there are working supervisory organizations which ensure that rules and objectives are met, those kinds of labels do good for the environment. Shop goods from Brands you trust and know have a verified eco-labeling.

If you read this far - we're very happy you did! That must mean something, right? Thank you for your concern about our environment!

We want to round up this Guide with a tip of a documentary which happens to be a treat if you want to learn something fundamental about Sustainable Living. It all starts with the Bees. No, not Bee Gees. (Well, may-bee!)

Sir David Attenborough's life is truly extraordinary. Few humans have had the same privilege to experienced Nature's Biodiversity so thoroughly up-close and consistently like Mr. Attenborough through the years. Well, actually a whole Lifetime. The documentary "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet" is his testimony. And a real eye-opener. If there's just one documentary you should watch this year: This is the One! And maybe " My Octopus Teacher " which is amazing (Bonus Tip)!

”We can’t cut down rainforests forever – and anything that we can’t do forever is; by definition, unsustainable”

”Our imprint is now truly global. Our impact is now truly profound. Our blind assault on the planet has finally come to alter the very fundamentals of the living world.”

”We are facing; nothing less than a collapse of the living world. No one wants this to happen. None of us can afford for it to happen.”

”So what do we do? It’s quite straightforward. It’s been staring us in the face all along. To restore stability to our Planet, we must restore its bio-diversity. The very thing that we’ve removed. It’s the only way out of these crises we have created. We must ”re-wild” the world!”

From the Netflix documentary " A Life on Our Planet " and the wise words of Sir David Attenborough on sustainable living. Check out Earthshot Prize that David Attenborough started with Prince William; a "Nobel Prize for Environmentalism". Annually (starting 2021 in London), and in the next ten years, there will be five, one million-pound prize awarded, to winners providing at least 50 solutions to our world’s greatest environmental problems by 2030.

RELATED POST: # staycation: Responsible and Safe Travels during a Pandemic

#eco #sustainable #ecofriendly #sustainability #environment #sustainableliving #ecotravel #ecotourism #ecological #greenenergy #globalsustainability #sustainableurbanliving #ecofriendlyactivities #ecofriendlytravel #ecofriendlytravelproducts #ecofriendlytours #biodiversity #ecoresponsible

• TRAVEL GUIDES

Recent Posts

Tips for Outdoor Vacationers

Activities and Tours for your Food Travel Retirement Bucket List

Travel Advice for the First-Time Traveler to Bangkok, Thailand

Thank you guys for the feedback! Feel free to share.

Very insightful posts. Sustainable living is no longer a choice it is a necessity.

Great post with many tips and ideas on how to live a sustainable life!

• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to content
• Skip to footer

My Five Acres

Make Travel Truly Transformational

How to be a Green Tourist – 11 Tips for Eco Friendly Travel

Do you want to travel without destroying the planet? Being a green tourist is not easy but it is possible! In this post we share our best advice to make sure your next trip is greener. Read on to reduce your footprint and make sure your next trip is as eco-friendly as possible.

1. Plan an Eco-Friendly Itinerary

2. choose time & place carefully, 3. make smart accommodation choices, 4. think before you book, 5. drink responsibly, 6. eat green, 7. buy locally made souvenirs, 8. speak up, 9. take real action, 10. find eco-friendly tourist activities, 11. travel with proven green companies.

As our beloved Kermit the Frog has been saying for years, “It’s not easy being green.”

It’s especially tough if you want to travel!

Green tourism is a relatively new concept in the tourism industry and the powers that be — airlines, international hotel chains, big tour operators — are almost all set up to profit from mass tourism, not mindful tourism .

Unfortunately, the environmental impacts of tourism can be devastating when profit takes precedence.

So far, the responsibility for minimizing our travel footprints and being a green tourist rests solely on the individual’s shoulders. The good news is, individual travellers can (and do) use their purchasing power and their voices to make real change in how the travel industry operates.

Green tourism is all about making conscious, deliberate choices that reduce the harm — and increase the positive impact — of travel.

Read on for our guide to greening up your next trip.

11 Tips for Being a Green Tourist

It’s not Easy Being Green That’s why you need our guide to slow travel , our post about the benefits of eco-travel , and our 63 travel tips from 20 years of travel .

Being a green tourist starts before you even leave home.

Too many people plan trips that involve flying from place to place every few days. Not only does this type of travel have the worst environmental impact, it’s also the least fulfilling.

When you hop on a plane from Amsterdam to Paris to Rome, you add enormous amounts of greenhouse gasses to the environment. You also waste a huge chunk of your holiday time in airports!

Worse still, this type of fast travel means you miss all of the amazing places in between.

Tips for creating an eco-friendly itinerary:

• Travel overland by public transport whenever possible. Busses and trains beat planes every time!
• Minimize your number of stopovers when you do fly. Direct flights use less fuel.
• Visit a small geographical area and explore it thoroughly rather than hopping between major destinations.
• Buy carbon offsets or give to environmental or local charities when you travel.

Planning an eco-friendly itinerary is good for the planet and great for your trip. It allows you to become more involved in the culture and local life and spend less time hauling your heavy suitcase on and off of airplanes, taxis, and trains.

Mass tourism makes a massive impact on the most popular tourist destinations around the world. Especially during high season, in a place like, for example, Dubrovnik, the influx of summer tourists puts unusually high pressure on the environment. (It also creates huge problems for the people who live there.)

If you want to visit an extremely popular destination, go in off season or shoulder season when hotels stand empty and attractions are less full. Off-season travellers help bring balance to the environment and the economy of these popular destinations.

Another way to spread out your impact is to travel to less popular countries or less popular regions of the same country. So, don’t just pop in to visit Dubrovnik. Head north to see the rest of Croatia or go south and visit Montenegro and Albania.

It’s not always easy to find hotels that are committed to sustainable tourism practices. Eco hotels are on the rise but they’re still the tiny minority and some that claim to be green businesses aren’t legit. They just say all the right things in order to cash in on the trend for ecotourism.

Here are some tips to find real eco-friendly hotels:

• Search for eco-conscious hotels at your destination and then check their website or contact them to find out what makes them eco-friendly. Do they have a green tourism award or accreditation like LEED, Green Key or Green Check?
• Use green-focussed sites like Green Pearls or EcoBnb to find your accommodation.
• Stay in small, independent hotels, guesthouses, or home stays — large multinational conglomerates are less likely to care about their impact on the local community.
• Only stay in Airbnbs where the owner still lives. These are arguably the most eco-friendly accommodations because you join a household and share resources with the owner.
• Stay in hostels. Packing multiple people into one room is more eco-friendly than giving everyone their own space!

If you really want to be at one with nature, you can always camp or go glamping. Non-permanent structures generally have less impact on the environment than permanent ones.

Here are some questions to consider before you book any tour or activity:

• Does the activity involve animals, like elephant riding, dolphin shows, or tiger temples? Many people fool themselves into believing that the animals love these activities. But it doesn’t take much thinking before you realize their true nature. Where do the animals come from? Would they choose to live in captivity? How are they benefitting from your tourism?
• Does the tour visit sensitive ecosystems? What are they doing to reduce their environmental impact there?
• Is there a more eco-friendly alternative? For example, you could take a jeep tour to a local waterfall or you could choose a bicycle tour. You could do a speedboat tour of local waterways or you could choose to kayak.
• How does the tour operator give back to local communities? Do they employ local people? Do they take you to locally-owned businesses? Do they run a foundation or support non-profits?

It doesn’t take long before asking questions like these becomes second nature. You’ll develop a sixth sense that separates the eco warriors from the fakers.

Plastic is a problem everywhere in the world. Whether it is thrown in the ocean, or on the street, or in a garbage dump you never see, the mountains of waste plastic on Earth are ever-increasing.

No matter where you travel, bring your refillable water bottle and always think before you grab a disposable plastic bottle of water, juice, or any other drink. We don’t want you to get dehydrated, but it’s good to keep in mind that the trash from your 5 minutes of thirst-quenching will remain on Earth for millions of years.

If you’re in a country where the water is unsafe to drink, try to find an alternative to small plastic bottles. Buy the biggest bottles of water you can find and then fill your reusable bottle from those. Ask at restaurants and your hotel if you can fill your water from the huge 20-litre containers they usually have for staff.

You probably won’t be able to eliminate 100% of your plastic use while you travel, but you can definitely eliminate a lot.

It is harder to practice eco-friendly eating while travelling than it is at home. Restaurants are huge contributors to food waste and often create excessive carbon emissions.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce your impact:

• Always eat at the restaurant. Take-out containers create more garbage and waste.
• Avoid eating at fast food places or anywhere where they serve food in disposable containers.
• Don’t order too much food. If you’re not sure how much you need, order a small amount first and then order more if you’re still hungry. We see so many tourists leaving behind plates full of perfectly good food — don’t be one of them.
• Eat vegetarian, local, and organic food where possible. This supports the local economy while reducing the impact the production and transportation your food has on the environment.
• Carry your own set of reusable cutlery so you don’t have to use plastic knives and forks while you’re on the go.

Of course, all of these tips for eating green apply equally when you’re at home!

If you’re planning on shopping during your trip, look for keepsakes, clothing, and other souvenirs that have been made locally.

In many countries, you can find handicrafts — anything from silk scarves to obscene bottle openers to kids’ toys — made by underserved members of the community.

If you’re travelling in wealthier countries, it can be tempting to buy a fridge magnet or I Heart City t-shirt. Instead, seek boutiques run by local independent designers or stores that offer products made locally.

Not only will your shopping have better impact on the local community but your souvenirs will be more meaningful and your gifts more thoughtful than if you buy mass-produced items.

When you see a tourism professional — tour guide, hotel owner, restaurant owner — doing something that doesn’t seem eco-friendly to you, speak up. It doesn’t have to be confrontational or obnoxious. Just point out that, as a traveller who likes to engage in responsible tourism, you would prefer that things were done a different way.

Successful tourism businesses listen to your feedback and make changes accordingly.

One place we’ve seen travellers feedback make a huge impact is in northern Cambodia. Elephant rides are almost gone there as all of the sanctuaries shift to a more hands-off approach in response to tourist feedback.

This is just one example of many we’ve seen where tourists who were brave enough to speak up made a huge positive change.

As a single traveller, you can make an impact! Don’t be afraid to speak up.

This might be the most radical suggestion we make for would-be eco travellers. Almost everywhere we go, there are local social and environmental problems that could be solved (or at least radically improved) if only there was enough money to do so.

If you are spending a huge chunk of money on travel, then you can afford to slice off a tiny portion of that to help others. It’s easy to do:

• Choose a percentage of your daily travel budget — 1%, 3%, 5%, even 10% or more
• Choose an environmental or social charity in the region
• Donate your chosen amount

For example:

• You’re on a 10-day trip and your daily budget is $100
• You choose to give 5% to a local cause
• That’s $50 to contribute to someone in need

It might mean skipping a couple of evening cocktails, or eating a budget meal or two, but it’s easy to make a difference. Of course, if $50 seems ludicrously small to you, feel free to give more — just give.

It can be tough to separate the true ecotourism providers from the fakers, who say all the right things, but don’t act. Here are a few tips for spotting the best and avoiding the worst.

Follow the 4 Cs

The travel companies who are doing the best work have an eye on all the angles of ecotourism. Especially if you’re choosing a multi-day tour, ask how they are involved in the four Cs:

• Conservation: Are they actively working on environmental protection in the areas they operate?
• Culture: Do they provide information and education to their guests about the local way of life and indigenous cultures?
• Community: Do they employ locals and do they have a way to share profits with the local community, either through social programs or direct profit-sharing?
• Commerce: Does the company bring money into the local community, besides what it receives itself? Do the profits filter down or flow directly to some giant corporation in another country?

Read reviews

To be honest, this is only helpful if you know what to look for. Most travellers will not notice, or will not mention, environmentally destructive practices once they’ve already bought and paid for an experience.

Sometimes, it is painfully obvious that a so-called eco-friendly experience is just a poorly disguised cash grab. Other times, it can be a little harder to tell and you’ll need to learn to read between the lines.

If you have any doubts about an organization, it’s probably better to find one that ticks all the boxes.

If you end up on an activity that isn’t eco-friendly, please leave an honest review online, so other green travellers will know to avoid it.

Don’t go too cheap

While it is completely possible to be an ecotourist on a budget (and often budget travellers are unwittingly more environmentally friendly, just because they can’t afford the bigger, more damaging aspects of travel), it’s not usually the cheapest activity or tour which is the most eco-friendly.

Why? Because it costs money to give back to locals and to do things in a more environmentally friendly way.

Usually, eco activities end up being somewhere in the middle of the scale — not the cheapest ones but not the most expensive luxury ones either.

Use your common sense

Does something seem off to you? Then it probably is. Don’t engage in mental gymnastics to justify an experience.

Is riding a dune buggy through sand dunes going to damage the sand dunes? Yes. Is a kayak tour less damaging than a speed boat tour? Obviously! Is riding an elephant or watching it paint pretty pictures good for the elephant? Clearly not!

It’s easy to try and fool yourself into thinking that the thing you really wanted to do is “not that bad” or “totally fine”.

We have vegan, animal-loving friends who have given us long-winded explanations of why it was OK to ride elephants in India, for example. Other friends have performed logic-bending miracles to explain away their questionable activities.

We do it, too. For example, we fly way more than we, as eco-minded travellers, should and rationalize it on the basis of our otherwise incredibly small eco footprint.

The point is, to choose truly environmentally friendly activities when you’re travelling, it’s important to be aware of the human tendency to rationalize and try your best to look at your plans objectively.

It might seem easier to just book whatever your hotel is offering or opt for the cheapest trip you can find, but, unfortunately, the easiest option is hardly ever the most eco-friendly option.

It’s hardly ever the most fulfilling option either!

Once we find a tour or travel provider we like, who has a proven track record of offering eco-friendly and responsible travel experiences, we like to use them again and again.

A few of our favourites are:

Intrepid Travel

Intrepid runs exceptionally eco-friendly tours. They use local transport when available, take their guests to independently owned restaurants and hotels, and educate travellers about the local issues. They also give money and support to local development organizations and run their own foundation.

Of course, we love them for the eco acumen and social responsibility. But we also love them because they run small group tours that get you up close and personal with the local people while showing you an incredible time.

Explore with Intrepid Travel →

Grasshopper Adventures

We always say the most eco-friendly way to travel is by bike. A Grasshopper Adventures multi-day bike tour will immerse you in the local culture, take you to places where other tourists don’t go, and give you an excuse to try all the amazing food where you’re travelling. If you like active travel, take a look at Grasshopper Adventures.

Go green with Grasshopper →

Vegan Travel and Tours

You’ve probably heard that one of the most impactful things a person can do for the environment is to give up meat. Well, if you’ve already done so, or you’re vegan-curious, then taking a vegan travel tour will satisfy your curiosity.

There are only a few companies offering this kind of tour around the world. We suggest taking a look at:

• World Vegan Travel , who offer luxury tours on a limited basis
• Veg Jaunts & Journeys , who specialize in slow travel and off-the-beaten-path experiences

We hope this post has helped you understand what being a green tourist means and how you can make your travels more environmentally friendly. Now let’s get out there and paint the tourism industry green.

♥   Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen

We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J

Share With Your Friends

Get 101 travel tips.

Get our free ebook, 101 Travel Tips for Mindful Adventurers. It’s packed with our best tips for saving money, planning for travel, booking flights and accommodation, traveling sustainably, and staying on the road for longer! We ask for your email address so we can send you an email about once every month with our latest travel tips, destination advice, and personal stories about life on the road.

Thanks for joining My Five Acres.

Oops. Something went wrong. Please try again.

No spam ever. Your privacy is protected!

About Jane Mountain

Hi, I'm Jane, founder and chief blogger on My Five Acres. I've lived in six countries and have camped, biked, trekked, kayaked, and explored in 50! At My Five Acres, our mission is to inspire you to live your most adventurous life and help you to travel more and more mindfully.

Get Your Copy of How to Transform Your Life Through Travel!

About My Five Acres

Eight years ago, we sold our house and quit our jobs. Now we travel full-time and help others transform through travel.

We're here to help you find life-changing travel experiences that widen your perspective, challenge your beliefs, and shake you awake into your own life.

Find out how →

Useful Links

• Our Favourite Travel Tools
• Our Latest Blog Posts
• Press & Awards
• Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

Affiliate Disclosure

Search my five acres.

Psychologies

Share this:

Can travel ever be environmentally friendly.

Ellen Tout explores the impact of travel and flying, and whether holidays abroad can ever be truly sustainable and eco-conscious

“I want to travel but I worry about the planet. What can I do?”

The impact of flying  upon the planet is a concern for me too. I suggest reframing how you think about travel : you don’t have to jump on a plane to experience adventure or get somewhere beautiful to unwind. How about exploring the islands of the Outer Hebrides, climbing mountains in Snowdonia or learning to surf in Cornwall? You don’t have to cut out flying completely but view it as more of a luxury. Consider other modes of travel too – research  found that taking the train instead of a plane from London to Paris produces 90 per cent less CO2 emissions .

Which travel types are most eco-friendly?

The Eco Passenger website allows you to compare the impact of different transport options. Comparison website Skyscanner also has a useful tool that highlights lower-emission flights based on aircraft model and route. It’s worth noting that direct flights are more eco-friendly as it is during take-off that the most fuel is consumed.

You should also consider the weight of your baggage. It may sound negligible but if the aircraft is lighter, it will use less fuel, and every bag adds up. You could take a shampoo bar and toothpaste tabs, for example, which weigh less and reduce plastic. For the same reason, you should choose economy class; flying business class was found to increase your emissions by up to three times . 

Offsetting flights

Aviation is the fastest-growing contributor to CO2 emissions , but some airlines offer the option to offset your flight , and you can also arrange this yourself. Make sure the scheme you choose is traceable and verified. Carbon Footprint , for example, helps you calculate your emissions and offset them by supporting projects in reforestation, renewables and community initiatives.

Sustainable holidays

I’d also encourage you to think about the impact you have once you reach your destination. Sadly, it’s the poorest countries that experience the worst effects of the climate crisis . Could you volunteer for a charity while abroad? The organisation Tourism Concern suggests choosing to visit developing countries and to stay longer, supporting local communities whose livelihoods depend on tourists. Also try to book sustainable hotels and accommodation, where managers can clearly explain their green policies.

When we are mindful, we can lessen the impact of our holidays . And what better way to inspire yourself to be more eco-friendly in your daily life than experiencing the beauty and wonder of our incredible planet ? Let me know how you get on.

Eco living advice

Follow Eco Living Editor  @Ellen_Tout  on Twitter and on Instagram follow Ellen  @ellen_tout  and for Ellen’s waste-free compleating food ideas, follow  @compleatly_vegan

For more eco ideas, see  psychologies.co.uk/real-eco

Do you have a  sustainability  question? For planet-saving advice, email  [email protected]  with ‘Eco worrier’ in the subject line.

Image: Getty

Related content

How to make your workplace more eco-friendly.

Ellen Tout helps a reader create a more eco-friendly workplace, encourage colleagues to follow suit – and tell the boss being green in your office is a money-saving, team-building exercise too!

How can a vegan diet help reduce your carbon footprint?

What are the benefits of avoiding eating meat or dairy? Ellen Tout, explores the environmental impact of our food and how a vegan diet helps reduce your carbon footprint

How to compleat fruits and vegetables and reduce food waste

Concerned about food waste? Want to be more creative in the kitchen? Our Eco Living Editor, Ellen Tout, explains how we can ‘compleat’ different fruits, vegetables and herbs – cooking with the parts we usually throw away. Creative, waste-free plant-based cooking awaits!

More from Emotional wellbeing

Simple steps to spring clean your life.

Your house isn’t the only thing that might benefit from a declutter — here’s how to spring clean your life, too.

Spring self-care: 5 best beauty & wellbeing buys

Put a spring in your step this season with our favourite new self-care, beauty, and wellbeing buys – from chocolate face masks to menopause-support supplements. Warmer weather, longer evenings, and sunnier days are finally upon us. If the arrival of spring has inspired you to give your health and wellbeing a much-needed boost after winter, […]

Secrets From A Coach podcast: Your weekly dose of wellbeing

Tune in for new sound advice every week…

Easter bunnies egg breakfast recipe

This Easter, British Lion eggs are encouraging families to swap sugary chocolate eggs for the real thing with a new collection of healthy Easter recipes

6 Myths of Modern Motherhood & How to Bust Them For Good

Danusia Malina-Derben, mother of ten and author of ‘Noise: A Manifesto Modernising Motherhood’, writes about how to leave the fantasy of being a good mother behind

Daily habits to lessen your stress

Finding inner calm can be the key to handling the ups and downs of our day-to-day lives, says Owen O’Kane. Try this routine to help you stress less daily.

• dark tourism
• Andaman & Nicobar
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Channel Islands
• Cyprus (North)
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• Easter Island
• El Salvador
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana
• Great Britain
• [Nagorno-Karabakh]
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• North Korea
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Georgia
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• Transnistria
• Tristan da Cunha
• Turkmenistan

Travel and environmental issues

• disclaimer & privacy policy

© dark-tourism.com, Peter Hohenhaus 2009-2023