Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel Tips

Sustainable Travel Tips

Are you ready to elevate your travel experiences? We’re not just talking about visiting iconic destinations; we’re advocating for a travel style that’s beneficial for our planet. It’s time to embark on an eco-friendly adventure! Whether you are packing your essentials or choosing sustainable souvenirs, we have compiled the ultimate guide to Sustainable Travel Tips. So grab your reusable water bottle, and let’s set off on a journey that honors Mother Nature.

Pack Sustainably
Book a Sustainable Hotel
Be Water Wise
Be Energy Conscious
Don’t Be a Litterbug
Shop Local
Be Animal-Friendly
Ditch the Car
Eat Locally (If You Can)
Plant a Tree
Carbon Offset

Easy Sustainable Travel Tips

According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism accounts for about 5% of global carbon emissions, a figure likely to rise as travel becomes increasingly popular. Did you know that the average hotel guest generates roughly 1 kg of waste per night? This can accumulate significantly over time!

1. Pack Sustainably

Packing sustainably is a crucial aspect of eco-friendly travel. It involves being thoughtful about what you bring and how you pack. Opt for reusable toiletries, such as bamboo toothbrushes, solid shampoo and conditioner bars, and refillable travel containers for your body wash and face wash. A reusable water bottle, utensils, and leftover containers can help you avoid single-use plastics during your travels.

Plastic pollution, particularly in our oceans, is a pressing issue, with over 8 million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean annually. Disposable items, especially plastic straws, are among the worst offenders due to their short lifespan and high likelihood of being discarded after one use. These straws contribute significantly to landfill waste and take centuries to decompose. It’s worth noting:

Plastic straws are frequently found among the top ten items collected during beach cleanups.
Producing plastic straws requires considerable fossil fuel consumption.
Many plastic straws contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a known carcinogen.

To combat plastic waste, simply decline straws when dining out. Similarly, plastic utensils pose a threat to marine life, both in their intact form and when they break down into harmful pieces. Bringing your utensils while traveling may seem unusual, but it’s a commendable act for the planet. Additionally, don’t forget to bring a good pair of sustainable sneakers, a durable backpack, reef-safe sunscreen, summer sandals, an ethical dress, zero-waste camping gear, and an eco-friendly charger.

2. Book a Sustainable Hotel

When selecting accommodations, look for eco-certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Green Globe. These certifications indicate a commitment to sustainable practices, including reduced energy and water use, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and support for local communities. Check the hotel’s website for sustainability information, such as their efforts to conserve resources and minimize waste.

Read traveler reviews to get insights into the hotel’s practices. Choosing a hotel near public transportation, bike paths, or walking trails can also help lower your carbon footprint. Seek out hotels that provide sustainable amenities, including natural and organic toiletries, in-room recycling, and refillable water bottles.

Consider Couchsurfing, a hospitality network that allows travelers to stay with local hosts. It’s an excellent way to save on accommodation, meet locals, and gain cultural insights. Ensure that your values align with potential hosts by communicating beforehand. Websites like Ecobnb and Bookitdifferent also promote eco-friendly accommodations, helping you find places that meet sustainability criteria.

3. Be Water Wise

One of the simplest ways to travel sustainably is by using a reusable water bottle. Bottled water can be costly, and if you’re traveling with a family, the expenses add up and contribute to plastic waste. In destinations where tap water quality is questionable, consider investing in a portable water filter. This choice saves money while minimizing plastic waste — a win-win! If weight is a concern, opt for foldable bottles.

Upon arrival, be conscious of your water usage. Request that hotel staff refrain from changing your sheets and towels daily, as reusing them conserves energy, water, and detergents.

4. Be Energy Conscious

Before leaving your hotel room, remember to turn off the air conditioning, lights, and any electronics. Just because you are not directly charged for electricity doesn’t mean it should be wasted! Utilize natural lighting and ventilation by opening windows for fresh air and keeping curtains open during the day.

Unplug chargers and electronic devices when not in use to avoid unnecessary energy consumption.

5. Don’t Be a Litterbug

In many beautiful destinations worldwide, litter left by tourists can lead to significant environmental issues, including soil erosion, pollution, habitat destruction, and threats to endangered species. Always inquire about recycling programs at your hotel and be vigilant about disposing of your waste responsibly. Eco-friendly travel means reducing waste!

6. Shop Local

Shopping locally during your travels is a fantastic way to support artisans and the local economy. Engaging directly with artisans allows you to ask important questions about the source of materials, which is especially crucial when it comes to endangered species products. Avoid buying items made from ivory or snakeskin, as they may be illegal in other locations. Supporting local artisans ensures that your purchases are ethically made and free from exploitation.

7. Be Animal-Friendly

Explore sustainable travel options by selecting local guides and tours that emphasize eco-friendliness. Activities like elephant riding in Thailand or taking selfies with tiger cubs often involve cruel training practices and exploitation. Refrain from taking selfies with animals or visiting places where you can hold them or watch them perform unnatural tricks.

Here are some animal-friendly tourist spots to consider:

Happy Elephant Valley in Thailand: This sanctuary has transformed from a tourist attraction allowing rides to a safe haven for elephants, enabling them to live naturally.
Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF): Located in Indonesia, this eco-lodge supports the rehabilitation of orangutans rescued from habitat loss and captivity.
Romanian Bear Sanctuary: This sanctuary offers a natural habitat for bears previously used for entertainment, allowing them to roam freely.
Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in California: PAWS provides a sanctuary for rescued animals from abusive situations, offering educational tours without exploitation.

8. Ditch the Car

Opt for biking, walking, hiking, or using local public transportation to explore your destination. These modes of travel provide a unique, local perspective and help reduce your carbon emissions. If you must rent a car, consider choosing a hybrid model. Always stick to designated paths while hiking or walking to minimize environmental impact.

9. Eat Locally (If You Can)

Visiting farmers’ markets while traveling allows you to connect with local producers and understand the origins of your food. Platforms like Eat Well Everywhere help you find sustainable food sources, including restaurants and markets, across various locations.

10. Plant a Tree

With transportation methods contributing to carbon dioxide emissions, planting trees can help offset some of this impact. Trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen, which is essential for our survival. Look for local initiatives or programs that focus on tree planting. While this is an effective way to contribute to the environment, it should not be seen as a substitute for reducing your own emissions.

11. Carbon Offset

Consider participating in carbon offset programs offered by organizations like Carbonfund.org, Terrapass, and NativeEnergy. These programs allow individuals and businesses to offset their carbon emissions by supporting renewable energy projects, reforestation efforts, and energy-efficient technologies. While forestry initiatives can help, they are often less efficient than other methods of carbon offsetting.

Many airlines and travel companies also offer carbon offset options, so it’s wise to research the credibility of any program before making a purchase to ensure your contribution has a genuine impact.

What is Sustainable Travel?

Sustainable travel, often termed as eco-friendly or responsible travel, takes into account the environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism on local communities and the planet. The United Nations World Tourism Organization emphasizes that sustainable travel should “make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.” It should also “respect the sociocultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to intercultural understanding and tolerance.”

While achieving perfect sustainability in travel may be challenging, we can certainly be mindful of our impacts and adjust our habits to reduce our environmental footprints and support sustainable tourism practices. This can be accomplished by selecting eco-friendly accommodations, backing local businesses, and being conscious of our transportation choices.

Why Does Traveling Sustainably Matter?

Traveling has numerous negative environmental consequences, with carbon emissions from transportation—such as flights, cars, and other travel methods—being one of the most significant. The aviation industry is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and air travel continues to rise. Other detrimental impacts of travel include excessive water and energy consumption, waste generation, and the degradation of natural habitats and ecosystems. Moreover, mass tourism can lead to overdevelopment, overcrowding, and the erosion of natural and cultural heritage sites. Finally, tourism can exacerbate social and economic inequalities, pushing out residents and local businesses, driving up prices, and exploiting workers in the tourism sector.

A Final Word on Sustainable Travel

Sustainable travel is not merely a trend but a vital approach to protecting and preserving our planet for future generations. By adopting eco-friendly travel practices, we can minimize our negative impact on the environment, support local communities, and foster cultural appreciation and understanding. Every small step—be it choosing sustainable accommodations, packing thoughtfully, reducing plastic waste, or supporting local businesses—can lead to significant positive changes. Let’s travel with purpose, respect, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the world.