The term sustainable travel is bandied about a lot, but what actually is it? Well, at its heart, it’s all about making more thoughtful, informed choices – and in doing so, maximising the positives that travel can bring, whether that’s facilitating cultural understanding, empowering local communities or protecting wildlife. Sustainable travel filters through your whole trip, too, from the first stages of planning to bring on the ground to arriving back home.
So, how to travel more sustainably? We’ve put together some practical tips to help you get planning your next trip.
One of the simplest ways to enjoy a more sustainable holiday is to visit an eco-friendly destination. Happily, lots of countries around the world are taking steps to be more sustainable: for instance, Bhutan has long restricted its visitor numbers to avoid overtourism, while the Republic of Palau is safeguarding both its environment and local community by asking travellers to sign a sustainability pledge upon arrival. Travelling to such destinations not only helps to support these efforts, it also means you’re likely to have a more enriching experience, connecting more deeply with local communities and the natural world.
Think about transport
Oslo to Bergen train, Norway. Credit: iStock / MariusLtu
We all know it: a major way you can reduce your carbon footprint is to travel by train, rather than by plane. Switching to this mode of transport can mean you reduce your emissions by up to 90 per cent compared with flying – goodbye flygskam (flight shame), hello tågskryt (train bragging).
That said, sometimes it’s impossible to reach a destination without hopping on a plane. If so, fly thoughtfully: avoid making stopovers on long-haul trips or taking domestic flights within a country (after all, most of the pollution and carbon from flying is released during takeoff and landing). And always go economy, as less fuel is used per person.
Another tip? Each year, aim to take one trip by plane to a more far-flung destination, staying there for longer to really immerse yourself. Then the rest of your holidays can be spent taking staycations or trips that you can make by rail and road (e-cars are great for the latter).
Overtourism has hit the headlines in recent years, with communities in places like Venice and Barcelona expressing concern about the large numbers of tourists descending on their cities. One way to help is by travelling to lesser-known spots. Not only will this give overtouristed destinations some breathing space, it’ll also help spread your tourist dollars around, bringing benefits to often overlooked places.
Can’t resist the lure of Venice’s canals? Then travel off-peak. You’ll reduce pressure on the destination, including its infrastructure, as well as helping to boost local businesses’ earnings outside of the usual busy season.
Pack mindfully
Person holding stainless steel water bottle. Credit: Unsplash / Bluewater Sweden
While packing is something most of us leave till the last minute, it’s surprising how big a difference a thoughtful approach can make here. One thing to do is pack light: limiting what you take means less fuel needed to transport your bags – equalling a lower carbon footprint.
Another good shout is to pack a reusable, zero-waste kit, which will help reduce the amount of single-use plastics you use while away. A water bottle, coffee cup and some cutlery are always good ideas, as is a water filtration device, such as a LifeStraw, depending on where you’re travelling.
Sleep green
Tropical hotel located in the jungle. Credit: iStock / JarnoVerdonk
More and more accommodation is claiming to be sustainable, but how to identify the honest spots from the greenwashers? A good rule of thumb is to look at the website. Hotels, B&Bs and the like who are genuinely trying to become more sustainable will often provide information on things like how they deal with waste, their water and energy usage, and on ways they give back to the local community or environment.
You can also check if the accommodation has environmental accreditations, but remember: some smaller places might not have the time or funds to gain these certifications, even if they’re working really hard to be sustainable. Also, not all accreditations are created equal – one of the best seals of approval is offered by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Last thing: if you’re finding accommodation through a booking website, try to use ones that promote sustainable hotels, like Ecobnb. Or book directly through a small, locally owned hotel – that way, all of the profits go directly to the provider.
Spend money locally
Siti Khatijah Market, Kelantan, Malaysia. Credit: Unsplash / Alex Hudson
Buying local ensures that your tourist dollars go directly to the community you’re visiting. This could mean choosing to eat in a neighbourhood restaurant over an international chain or hunkering down in a locally run B&B or hotel. When it comes to shopping, it’s always a good idea to visit markets over supermarkets (the food is likely to be fresher and locally grown) and to go for handcrafted items created by a local artisan, instead of mass-produced souvenirs.
Engage with the local community
Sumo in Tokyo, Japan. Credit: Unsplash / Bob Fisher
The best way to do this is to look for locally run or led experiences. As well as supporting on-the-ground communities economically, these sorts of activities let you get to know the locals, and provide an insider's view on the destination and its culture. Plus, there are so many amazing experiences out there, from watching a sumo contest (courtesy of Tours By Local) to sketching the streets of Barcelona (thanks to With Locals).
Worth looking out for, too, are social enterprises; businesses whose profits are reinvested directly back into the community or an environmental project. Research these before you head off – Grassroots Volunteering’s social enterprise database is a good place to start.
Think SLO when eating out
Assorted fruit and vegetables picked from a farm near Lake Como, Italy. Credit: Unsplash / Ella Olsson
We’ve already touched on the importance of dining in local joints, but the idea of SLO – seasonal, local and organic – takes it to the next level. This handy little acronym is a good reminder of what to think about when choosing a restaurant. By eating in places that serve up seasonal and local food, you’ll be reducing your “foodprint”, as the ingredients won’t have had to travel as far, and you’ll likely be supporting indie producers, meaning that more money goes back into the local community. If possible, try for organic restaurants, too; fewer pesticides mean things like healthier bees and soil.
Respect wildlife
Lion in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Credit: Dreamstime / Bennymarty
Some of the most joyful travel moments feature wildlife, but it’s important to make sure that the animals you’re interacting with are treated well. As a starting point, always research the credentials of any sight or tour – such as sanctuaries and safaris – that offer encounters with wildlife.
The best wildlife experiences are those that let you observe animals in their natural environment, from a distance, and where the local community plays a direct role in conservation. At communal conservancies in Namibia, local people act as stewards of the land. Here, safaris to see wildlife like lions and rhinos are run by knowledgeable local guides, who also teach you about the community itself.
Leave no trace
Glen Strathfarrar, Scotland. Credit: iStock / Anne Coatesy
Most of us know that littering is a big no-no (wherever you are), but leaving no trace goes far beyond binning our rubbish. While on holiday, it can include leaving any natural objects where we found them to help keep ecosystems healthy; staying on the path when we’re walking to avoid damaging any plants and animals; and wearing eco-friendly sunscreen so we don’t cause harm to marine life.
Sometimes though, it’s good to leave a trace – a positive one. This can be done by helping out with things like locally run restoration programmes, such as Trees for Life in Scotland, and citizen science projects (see EarthWatch for ideas).
Give feedback
Person using laptop. Credit: Unsplash / Daniel Thomas
Once you’re back at home, pop in some time to think about all of the businesses and organizations that you interacted with. Give feedback to those places you feel could improve on their approach, such as a hotel that still provides unnecessary single-use toiletries – after all, they may not change things unless their customers speak up. And don’t forget to give good reviews to those sustainability focused companies; it’ll encourage them to keep doing what they’re doing and potentially help more sustainable travellers to discover them.
