Let’s face it, everyone has the undying wish of being able to travel to every country in the world! Speaking for myself, I am a true believer of the word “Wanderlust”. However, along with the satisfaction of visiting new cities and exploring different cultures, comes the negative aspect of travelling too. This impact is economical (obviously!) and environmental. Now you may wonder, how does me travelling affect the environment? The carbon footprint for every individual travelling is immense. From water pollution to the release of harmful greenhouse gases, the list can go on and on.
Sustainable travel means making smarter choices in the trip that have a positive impact on the atmosphere and is more eco-friendly. Below are some practical tips on how you can make your next holiday greener without it ruining your experience.
- Travel off-peak
Due to the phenomenon of over tourism, there is massive strain on infrastructure and the ecosystem. This issue did definitely decrease during COVID, but as things are getting back to normal, the natural habitat of several flora and fauna are facing threats due to overcrowding.
- Go by road or rail
Flying by air is the biggest enemy of the environment as aeroplanes have a very high carbon footprint as they release tonnes of harmful greenhouse gases. Wherever possible, plan your holiday by road or rail, not only does it reduce the negative impact on the atmosphere around you, but you also get the added bonus of enjoying the view while you are going from one place to the next.
- Eco-conscious accommodation
Everyone prefers to live in a 4- or 5-star hotel with all the best amenities and services, however, that is not the best choice if you are trying to be conscious about your actions toward being eco-friendly. A new and upcoming trend of eco-conscious accommodation is taking the industry by a whirl. These housing options are carbon neutral and put their money saved to better use that can benefit the environment. For instance, Angama Kara in Kenya, is an international hotel group that saved up around 233,000 pounds by making their guests use reusable towels and used that money to plants trees around their hotels.
There you go! The 3 best tips that I could give any frequent traveller. A better solution for the time, place and mode of travel right here for you. The next time you start booking for your holiday, make sure you are more mindful of your actions and decisions towards the world. Have you ever made a change in your usual holiday plans to be more environmental-friendly? Any sustainable tips you would like to share with us?