How can you travel more sustainably?
Below you can find some tips and alternative solutions to help you to be a more sustainable tourist:
1. Choose sustainable transportation: If possible, consider using boats, trains or buses instead of planes when travelling. For local transport use public transportation, cycling, or walking instead of renting a car or taking a taxi. If you must fly, try to book a non-stop flight as takeoff and landing are the most fuel heavy operations in air travel.
| 2. Stay in eco-friendly accommodations: Look for hotels, lodges or homestays that have eco-friendly policies like recycling, energy-saving initiatives, and water conservation programs. You can also consider sustainable alternatives such as camping or glamping. 3. Support local businesses: Instead of dining at international chain restaurants, try local restaurants that use locally sourced, organic ingredients. Shop for souvenirs at local markets to support the local economy and reduce the carbon footprint of imported goods. 4. Reduce your waste: Bring a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag to avoid using single-use plastics. If you do find yourself with a plastic bottle try to reuse it as much as you can, and when you throw it away make sure that you find a waste bin for plastic recycling. Try to produce less waste by choosing products with less packaging, avoiding disposable items, and recycling or composting when possible. 5. Choose sustainable activities: Seek out eco-friendly tours and activities that have minimal impact on the environment and support local communities. Consider volunteering for local conservation initiatives or visiting protected areas that help preserve natural habitats and wildlife. |
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Except for the above tips you, as a civilian tourist can also follow these travel tips, provided by the New York times:
1. Stay close to home: why not check out that local museum in your town? Or drive for a few hours to a beach or a forest, instead of taking a flight somewhere far away.
2. The Most Sustainable Destinations: There are some destinations that are more sustainable than others, for example cities and towns in Slovenia, including Ljubljana and locations in Spain. These locations were the best places to visit according to sustainability organisations. Palau was also nominated, since visitors must pledge to protect the natural and cultural heritage before entering. 3. If You Want to Visit More Popular Tourist Destinations - experts say that you should visit popular cities for example in the outside peak summer months. Stay longer and choose accredited accommodation – use sites such as bookdifferent.com, which ensures claims to sustainability are checked by third parties, and find local activities that give back to residents, instead of the most popular activities.
4. Visit Places That Need Your Support – Laurie Myers, the project lead for the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council said “Travel and tourism is probably the fastest way to recovery”. For example, Puerto Rico has developed a robust tourism sector since the devastating hurricane in 2017. Travellers can help further by volunteering in environmental and social projects helping to rebuild devastated communities.
5. If You’re Visiting a Coast And: if planning to travel to a coastal destination, choosing one with a Marine Protected Area is a way to ensure the involvement of local communities in protecting landscapes and aquatic life.
