Love traveling, but would like to keep the planet in mind? It’s no problem – traveling sustainably doesn’t have to cost you thousands extra. Plus, sustainable travel supports local communities and can lead to more meaningful experiences. Here are a few tips and principles you can follow during your trips.
Why focus on sustainable travel?
Travel today is relatively easy – information is readily available online, and booking a hotel stay or flight is just a click away. This convenience has contributed to over-tourism in many destinations, which local governments are trying to curb. Tourists often disregard local customs and generate enormous amounts of waste, which ends up harming the environment. In cities like Barcelona and Mallorca in Spain, initiatives have been launched to limit tourism.
Your carbon footprint can increase even during your stay. Small habits often contribute to this, such as grabbing a coffee in a disposable cup or eating at fast food chains that use single-use packaging. At hotels, avoid using small cosmetic bottles or demanding fresh towels every day.
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How to Have a Sustainable Vacation?
Slow Travel
The first tip is very simple: slow down and try slow travel. Slow travel is all about taking the time to relax and enjoy your vacation at a slower pace. You don't need to rush to experience as many activities as possible, as you may not fully appreciate them in the end. Instead of staying at a huge hotel in a busy city, opt for a cozy cabin near nature. Not only will you support local hosts, but you’ll also enjoy the peace and quiet that you won't find in the city. Traveling to a city? You can still slow down by replacing taxis with walking tours of the city and discovering hidden alleys and spots that you wouldn't otherwise find without walking.
Avoid Unnecessary Plastics
Traveling often leads to high consumption of single-use plastics, whether it's for cosmetics, cups, or bottles. So, choose more sustainable options that you can use not only on this trip but also on future ones. Pack a reusable travel bottle in your suitcase or backpack to ensure a constant supply of water without buying plastic bottles. You don't have to rely on small hotel-sized toiletries either—it's much more eco-friendly to bring your own. Simply transfer your cosmetics into reusable travel containers.
Choose Your Clothing Wisely
On your travels, you'll appreciate every item that saves space in your luggage while being practical. So, choose clothes that you can easily mix and match and that will work for both the beach and an evening stroll through the city. Linen is a great example—it's light, looks fantastic even when wrinkled, and has antibacterial properties.
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Create an Itinerary
Whether it's choosing your mode of transportation or activities you want to experience in the destination, an itinerary is a great tool for planning your trip. It helps you organize everything so that you don’t need to rush from one place to another. Additionally, it allows you to check in advance whether the activities are truly local experiences or just tourist traps with no added value.
Choose a Sustainable Hotel
Another step you can take is selecting a sustainable hotel. These hotels work closely with local communities, focusing primarily on waste reduction, sourcing products from local farms, organizing cultural activities related to local traditions, or contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage in the area. By choosing these hotels, you not only support environmental protection but also contribute to the development of the local economy and improve the quality of life for residents.
You can check how sustainable a hotel is by looking for certifications like the EU Eco-Label or the Green Globe certification, which are based on international standards for sustainable tourism.
Local Travel
A vacation doesn’t have to mean beaches and the sea. Look for places near you that have their own charm. This could be a stay in the mountains, a historical city, or a visit to a ranch with animals. In this case, you could opt for camping, which will make your vacation even more authentic.
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Transportation and Its Carbon Footprint
When traveling, it's important to consider the carbon footprint we leave behind during our journey. If you're flexible with your time, take advantage of trains for transportation. Nowadays, it’s a comfortable travel option, as long-distance journeys often offer sleeper trains.
Although vacations are a great way to relax and explore the world, it’s crucial not to forget the impact these actions have on the environment. Therefore, thinking sustainably while traveling is a great way to enjoy your vacation without harming the planet.
