What does it mean to travel in a sustainable manner? Being mindful and aware of tourism’s negative impact on mother earth and taking active steps is something I am striving to do – minimizing my carbon footprint is essential to traveling responsibly.
We have one earth and its resources are limited, and mass tourism puts it at risk. Traveling sustainably helps protect the environment rather than damage it for the pleasure of tourism.
What does it mean to travel in a sustainable manner?
Sustainable tourism is described by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as follows:
“Tourism that fully accounts for its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.”
Traveling sustainably is adopting sustainable behaviors in order to minimize negative impacts and maximize positive outcomes.
8 Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel
The following are eight simple strategies to travel more sustainably:
1. Choosing eco-friendly lodgings is the first step.
Hotels that are environmentally friendly lessen the environmental impact of tourism. Eco-friendly accommodations are concerned with preserving the environment and the good influence they have on the ecosystem. However, this isn’t the end of it. Supporting the local economy while on vacation is another benefit of eco-friendly tourism hotels. In addition, local organic meals may be found at most eco-friendly accommodations.
When it comes to booking eco-friendly vacation rentals, Ecobnb is a great resource. Our properties meet at least five of these 10 sustainability criteria:
- Renewable energy
- Organic or local food
- Public transportation
- Ecological cleaning products
- More than 80% of waste recycling
- Green building
- Energy-saving lights
- Solar thermal panels for hot water
- Water flow reducers
- Recovery & reuse of rainwater
2. Utilizing a public transportation system
Using public transportation helps the environment by reducing pollution and congesting the roads. For example, public transit reduces the number of cars on the road, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. Similarly, fewer automobiles mean less time spent stuck in gridlock.
3. Avoiding single-use plastics
Reduce pollution by choosing not to single-use plastic. Plastic production consumes fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In addition, 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans each year, putting marine life at risk.
4. Buying locally and supporting small companies
Local businesses benefit from the patronage of consumers who choose to make their purchases there. However, this is not the end of the story. Because they don’t have to travel as far, they use less packaging and support more local businesses.
5. Respecting local customs and traditions
The preservation of cultural and artistic treasures is made possible through a commitment to local culture. Involving yourself in the culture of the place you’re visiting is one of the most enjoyable aspects of ecotourism, as it helps preserve long-standing customs. Respecting local traditions is crucial because they build the identity of the community and foster a sense of community among its members.
