In recent years, there has been a surge in people preferring sustainable tourism, mostly driven by an increase in environmental awareness. Sustainable tourism involves following travel practices and making conscious choices that aim at protecting natural and cultural environments against harm. These involve opting for energy-efficient transport modes, choosing reusable water bottles, and more. Such green travel tips can come in handy for travel enthusiasts who wish to keep their carbon footprint in check.
1. Opting for efficient modes of transport
According to various studies, roughly 8% of the world’s carbon emissions are caused by tourism. Private vehicles are generally considered significant contributors to these emissions. While transportation is an integral component of tourism, certain vehicles tend to be more sustainable than others. So, opting for such alternatives will help reduce a traveler’s carbon footprint.
Planes and cars pollute the environment the most. So, when traveling to closer destinations, individuals can choose trains or coaches to cut down on carbon emissions. Once travelers reach their destination, they can consider taking a bus or cycling around town instead of renting a car. If renting is the only option, they can consider electric or hybrid vehicles to lower emissions.
2. Avoiding single-use plastic bottle usage
To save production costs, bottled water manufacturers use non-biodegradable plastic to create many of their products, including single-use plastic bottles. Non-biodegradable plastic is a synthetic material that is not recyclable and causes great damage to the ecosystem. So, travelers must avoid using single-use plastic bottles to reduce their carbon footprint. Instead, they can travel with a reusable drink bottle and fill up at safe drinking water stations. Using water purification tablets is also a proven way to boost an individual’s sustainability quotient. Another alternative is to use UV water purification drink bottles on the market.
3. Conserving water and energy
Intensive water use by tourists tends to strain the energy infrastructure and local water supplies of a given holiday destination. It is a known fact that vacationers tend to consume more water and power than the residents of such destinations. So, to preserve energy, travelers can consider turning off the lights, TV, and other electronic gadgets and appliances when not in use. While exiting hotel rooms, a responsible thing to do is to turn off the AC or set the thermostat a few degrees higher. To save water, travelers can opt for a shower instead of a bath and keep it as short as possible. They can handwash their clothes and avoid frequent laundering. While such environmentally friendly travel hacks may seem insignificant on the surface, they can help them save several resources and drastically reduce their carbon footprint.
4. Eating local foods
A person’s food choices can have a major impact on the environment, both in terms of what kind of food is consumed and how far it has traveled to get to one’s plate. Eating food from local growers and producers is a great way to reduce energy consumption, minimize transport emissions, and save on the resources spent on shipping for the food to reach one’s plate. Food transportation and exports contribute heavily to a traveler’s carbon footprint.
Consuming local cuisine also gives a much-needed boost to the local economy. Besides the positive environmental impact, supporting the local businesses in a given holiday destination is a great way to leave a positive influence there and earn the goodwill of its locals.
5. Prioritizing the welfare of animals
The plants and animals found in a given location form a significant part of the overall biodiversity of the destination. Individuals must not travel to or support tourist attractions wherein animals are known to be kept hungry, thirsty, and in discomfort. Moreover, they should refrain from participating in activities like elephant rides that exploit animals for entertainment. Instead, they can opt for natural hikes led by professional guides to avoid disturbing the local wildlife. Eco-conscious vacation planning includes having an understanding of the animal welfare code of conduct in a given place and adhering to it at all times.
6. Packing light to keep emissions in check
The weight of an individual’s travel luggage significantly contributes to their carbon footprint. The heavier one’s luggage is, the more fuel their transport mode would consume to carry it across long distances. So, one of the most sustainable travel tips, especially when traveling with family, is to pack as light as possible. If one travels for a few days, packing several clothes and electronic gadgets does not make sense. One of the more useful zero-waste travel tips is to pack light and wear all clothes at least twice once people are at their holiday destination.
7. Using green travel products
Travelers are advised to opt for eco-friendly and sustainable products instead of plastic-based alternatives. Using such products while holidaying can indirectly reduce a traveler’s carbon footprint. Examples of green travel products include reusable water bottles, bamboo hairbrushes and toothbrushes, reusable shopping bags and travel containers, travel towels, paper napkins, reusable cloth bags, reusable cutlery, refillable pens, solar power panels, recycled umbrellas, reusable razors for shaving, stainless steel or bamboo straws for drinking beverages, and eco-friendly packing cubes.
Other helpful eco-friendly travel advice includes supporting local and sustainable dining, visiting parks and protected areas, and choosing trip destinations carefully after conducting a thorough sustainability audit. Vacationers on a budget who are looking to travel sustainably can also opt for walk tours or bicycle trips to reduce the usage of internal combustion engines.