Sustainable travel is one of the pillars of a sustainable lifestyle. Traveling is a worthy pursuit. It helps us try new things, enhance our decision-making skills, and allows us to create everlasting memories.
Despite its benefits to our overall well-being, not many people know that several aspects of traveling leave harmful effects to our environment. In fact, the very nature of traveling itself—being on the move—is one of the leading contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in our planet.
In 2013, the tourism industry was responsible for roughly 8% of our global carbon footprint. This is a steep growth compared to about 3% in 2005. Not surprisingly, the combustion of fuels by the transportation sector is the predominant contributor to tourism’s carbon footprint.1
Thankfully, there are several travel practices that could lower your environmental impact while helping you create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
1. Schedule your travel during off-season
Tourists flock their favorite destinations during peak season. The sudden influx of visitors during this period can cause pollution, climate change, depletion of natural resources, and degradation of landscape sites. What’s more, the excess number of tourists during your visit can also taint your personal experience of the whole trip.
To avoid overcrowding, make sure to research local events, holidays, and weather ahead of your visit. Then schedule your trip at a time of the year when there are fewer visitors coming to their town.
2. Travel with small-group tour operators
This practice comes with many benefits. For one, traveling this way puts lesser burden on environmental resources compared to traveling with larger number of people. Plus, traveling in smaller groups will allow you and your fellow group members to interact better and get an unrefined insight of your destination.
3. Pack light and bring reusable items with you
Since fuel consumption of planes is directly related to their take-off weight, keeping your luggage compact and light will reduce the payload of the aircraft. Additionally, bringing eco-friendly items like reusable water bottle, stainless steel cutlery, fast-drying towel, and mesh drawstring bags will ensure that your production of waste during your trip is kept to a minimum.
4. Always prioritize public transport over private vehicles
When traveling in solo or in smaller groups, it is always ideal to utilize public transportation as it decreases the greenhouse gas emissions per passenger. The U.S. Department of Transportation has reported that private vehicles produce about 0.96 lbs CO2 per passenger-mile—more than twice the average for all forms of land transportation.2
When traveling in larger groups, however, it is recommended that you use a private vehicle since a 4-person carpool produces significantly less amount of carbon footprint compared to most forms of public transportation.
5. Go for land transportation instead of air travel
Riding a train, bus, or carpooling produces less GHG emissions per passenger-mile compared to air travel. If you’re traveling alone, it is best to explore your land transportation options first before choosing to travel by air. In most cases, land travel will also be cheaper, more comfortable, and more convenient.
6. Opt to stay at locally owned accommodations
One of the best things about traveling to a foreign destination is supporting the livelihood of locals who depend on the commerce of tourism. According to Airbnb, home sharing have lesser energy consumption, carbon footprint, water consumption, waste, and chemical use compared to traditional hotels.3 In addition to this, independently-owned accommodations tend to be more effective in providing services and experiences that are customized to the location and its visitors.
7. Check if the hotel is certified by any reputable eco-label program
Checking for eco-label is one of the best ways to quickly validate the sustainability of a hotel you’re going to stay at. Some hotels would list any eco-certifications on their website. If the hotel doesn’t mention any, the best way to confirm is to review the hotel list of the relevant certification body in that country/region.
8. Assess the hotel’s sustainability initiatives
Part of what makes travel planning fun is learning about the food choices, hotel amenities, and unique experiences that a destination has to offer. While you’re at it, why not delve into your hotel’s eco-friendly programs as well? This information is usually laid out in the hotel’s website, social media profiles, or recent press mentions.
Some of the most common eco-friendly initiatives include water conservation, use of renewable energy, recycling, and support of locals.
9. Choose hotels that employ local staff and use local resources
Staying at hotels that utilize local resources ensure that the livelihood of locals who depend on tourism will continue to thrive. A hotel’s use of locally-made furniture, decor, and equipment will support the growth of regional economy.
10. Refuse to have your room cleaned during your hotel stay
Informing your hotel’s front desk that you’re foregoing daily housekeeping will help minimize the use of cleaning products and devices. A lot of cleaning products contain ingredients that are not only harmful to the environment, but also to our health. Daily use of vacuum cleaners and floor cleaning machines will raise the overall energy consumption and carbon footprint of the hotel. When staying at hotels for short periods, it is best to just do a little tidying up before leaving your hotel for the day.
11. Turn the lights and appliances off when leaving your room
Most people spend time outside their hotel room for long hours. When leaving your room, ensure that all of your room lights are turned off and appliances are unplugged. To further save energy during your trip, it is also a good practice to just hand-wash your clothes and line dry them, especially if you’re traveling to a tropical destination.
12. Eat at locally owned restaurants that utilize local ingredients
This practice goes along sustainable travel’s theme of supporting local resources. Eating at a place that use mostly local ingredients will promote a process that supports the local economy and minimizes carbon footprint through transportation. If your schedule and hotel amenities deems it fitting, you can also choose to shop for fresh produce at a local market and cook your own meals at the place you’re staying at.
13. Opt for locally-made souvenirs
Local artisans who make a living out of making souvenirs have usually been in the business for so many years. Supporting their industry ensures that they can continue to produce their products for future generations of travelers. What’s more, mass-produced souvenirs are usually made by companies that engage in unethical business practices, so it’s always best to be wary of them.
14. Donate guide books or maps to fellow travelers
Most travelers won’t revisit the same destination over a five-year period. Even if you do travel to that place again, it is very likely that your old guide book has been outdated by then. Sharing tools and information with your fellow travelers will create camaraderie, help you reduce resource consumption, and will make room in your luggage for all the souvenirs you bought.
15. Take all of your leftover products with you upon leaving the hotel
For health and hygiene purposes, unfinished toiletries and used supplies are usually discarded after visitors depart the room. To avoid wasting products, bring all of your leftover supplies with you when you leave. This will not only lessen your production of waste but will also save you some money.
16. Avoid touching or feeding any wildlife you encounter
A responsible travel is one that is centered on observing and connecting, not disturbing and destroying. A close interaction with wildlife animals can elicit fear and cause harmful effects to their wellbeing.
17. Do research to be respectful to local customs
An essential part of any travel preparation should always involve research on local customs and culture. Being respectful and having the right etiquette while traveling will improve the experience for everyone involved—you and the locals. You might not always agree with the local people’s beliefs and way of life but remember to show your respect at all times.
Summary
- Schedule your travel during off-season
- Travel with small-group tour operators
- Pack light and bring reusable items with you
- Always prioritize public transport over private vehicles
- Go for land transportation instead of air travel
- Opt to stay at locally owned accommodations
- Check if the hotel is certified by any reputable eco-label program
- Assess the hotel’s sustainability initiatives
- Choose hotels that employ local staff and use local resources
- Refuse to have your room cleaned during your hotel stay
- Turn the lights and appliances off when leaving your room
- Eat at locally owned restaurants that utilize local ingredients
- Opt for locally-made souvenirs
- Donate guide books or maps to fellow travelers
- Take all of your leftover products with you upon leaving the hotel
- Avoid touching or feeding any wildlife you encounter
- Do research to be respectful to local customs
