10 sustainable travel tips for the eco-conscious traveller

The UN World Tourism Organization, defines sustainable tourism as:

“Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

Whilst the website of ecotourism.org states that Ecotourism is:

“Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment sustains the well-being of the local people and involves interpretation and education.”

It is so much more than just looking after the environment, it is about people, cultures, and economies too.

According to the United Nations, international travel is booming like never before.

From 2000 to 2015, the amount of people travelling the world has almost doubled (see the UNWTO’s 2016 report here). Now nearly 1.2 billion people a year board an international flight. This number is set to increase to 1.8 billion by 2030.

With the number of people receiving the coronavirus vaccine continuing to increase worldwide, travel is once again returning, and with that tourism.

In recent years, destinations began implementing measures to combat the burdens of unsustainable tourism: Hawaii banned the sale of reef-toxic sunscreens, Dubrovnik limited the number of cruise ships that can dock each day, Palau protected 80% of its waters, and Barcelona cracked down on illegal vacation rentals.

While these are certainly steps in the right direction, there is still much more to be done.

As a traveller, you can be part of the solution. Over the past 18 months, nature has had a chance to repair itself, so now is the perfect time to make sure our travel plans allow that trend to continue. There has never been a better time to change and reshape the way we travel!

Did you know that the average person uses 156 plastic bottles per year and that 91% of the world’s plastic bottles are not recycled?

By 2050, there will be more plastic in the oceans than there are fish according to environmental scientists.

It is not surprising that our number one sustainable travel tip is to bring your own water bottle to refill, instead of buying plastic bottles. If you are worried about the water quality in the destination you are visiting, bring a water bottle with a built-in purifier.

But it is not only water where we use single-use plastics.

Bring your own toiletries in refillable bottles, so you do not have to use the plastic toiletries provided by your hotel and do not use plastic bags when shopping, take your rucksack or bring your own reusable bags from home.

You can even bring your own reusable plate and cutlery to use when you buy street food, as these places normally use a lot of single-use plastics.

Packing lightly and thoughtfully has a much bigger impact that you might imagine. The more we pack, the more fuel planes, trains, and automobiles will need.

It is also easier to carry lighter luggage.

Try to halve what is in your bag by carefully thinking about what you are packing.

You could pack shampoo bars, tooth tabs, deodorant bars, etc. They use up less space, are much better for the environment and are allowed in your hand luggage.

Consider bringing a kindle or an iPad to read books on. Books will make your luggage much heavier.

Think about your clothing. Pack thin materials, that can be rolled up small to utilize space.

Buy 1, multi-purpose adaptor plug that fits works all over the world. It also avoids having to buy a different one for each trip, which will save time, money, and plastic!

Many communities have been very badly impacted from the lack of tourism over the 18 months.

By supporting local businesses and communities when you travel, you can help them bounce back.

Some ways you can do this when you travel include:

• Eat in local restaurants who use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible.
• Travel with local transport providers (where safe)
• Stay at in locally owned hotels and eco-lodges that have clear environmental policies
• Book excursions led by local guides, who know the best places to go and all the interesting facts about the area you are visiting.
• Buy locally crafted souvenirs from stores with local owners
• Find local markets for food that is locally sourced. This is different from the big supermarkets that import food via planes, contributing greatly to carbon emissions.

Tourists often consume significantly more water and energy than local residents and many destinations struggle to keep up with the demand.

No matter where you choose to stay, there are a few things you can do to reduce your impact.

Firstly, hang up your towels! This is a universal sign that they do not need to be washed and you are happy to reuse them. You would not wash your towel every day at home.

Leave the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the hotel door, so the room is not cleaned every day. This will reduce the unnecessary washing of linen, vacuuming and the use of other chemicals for cleaning.

Turn off the lights and TV, as well as unplug any other electronics/chargers when not in use.

Take a shower instead of a bath and keep it as short as possible.

Close the curtains – This keeps the room cooler, so the air conditioning does not have to work as much.

Rewear your clothes more than once, handwash and iron your own clothes. Fact: Laundry is 16% of a hotel’s water bill!

The tourism industry is responsible for 8% of the carbon emissions world-wide, and this will likely double or even triple by 2050.

But to completely stop flying is not a solution here. A lot of far-away destinations rely on tourism and cannot be reached by other means of transport for many people. If you do have to fly and it is a long haul, go for a non-stop flight. Not only is it a time saver but a direct flight will always be more fuel efficient.

Once you reach your destination, do not fly anymore but travel overland.

Taking the bus or train not only reduces your environmental impact, but it is also a great way to do sightseeing enroute.

 Once you are at your destination, consider taking the bus, traveling by rail, cycling, or walking around town instead of renting a car. If you do rent a car, opt for an electric, hybrid, or smaller model.

Every booking can help to protect and restore our planet, so you can feel even better about going on holiday...

Together we can make a difference and even the smallest of actions can help, like saying yes to our climate hero initiative when you book any holiday or trip with us.

You can travel in the knowledge that you are helping to protect and restore ecosystems across the world through REWILDING.

We have taken an innovative approach with our first environmental partner, Mossy Earth.

From planting native trees to protecting seagrasses and even restoring natural ponds, you can help support our bold ambition to reverse the destruction of our natural world.

When you book a holiday with us, £5 per passenger goes directly towards our ‘Climate hero’ projects. 100% of your contribution goes to support the following projects:

• Protecting and restoring Seagrass meadows in Portugal
• Conserving and reintroducing termite mounds in West Africa
• Restoring small natural ponds across the UK
• Restoring the Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands.
• Conducting Sea otter disturbance research in California

Back in 2019, many destinations were being loved to death as they became victims of their own popularity.

Historic cities, beaches, and other tourist hotspots were being overrun by hordes of visitors, a phenomenon that is now known as “over-tourism.”

By skipping tourist traps and getting off the beaten path, you can help prevent over-tourism from returning.

The reality is that many tourist hotspots do not live up to their expectations – you may have to spend hours standing in line, only to discover that the destination does not look the same in person as it did online.

Getting off the beaten path allows travellers to have a more unique and authentic experience while avoiding the crowds.

Instead of staying in major tourist centres, visit smaller cities or head to a more rural area.

Doing so will reduce the burden on over-visited destinations while spreading tourism benefits to other local communities.

If you are dying to go to a popular destination, consider scheduling your trip during the off-season.

It is all too easy to try to do as much as you can when you visit somewhere new. Although a packed itinerary looks great on paper, the reality often is quite so rosy. Rushing from place to place, always in a car or bus, without time to relax can lead to a very disappointing trip.

Sure, you get to take a few more photos and tick off things from your bucket list, but you will never get to know somewhere properly doing this, nor will you have time to rest and relax.

Rather than having lots of trips each year, plan 1, longer trip, where you will have time to really understand and know the place you are visiting.

You will be able to immerse yourself in the local culture and fully appreciate all it has to offer.

Spending more time in a destination will give you a more authentic, memorable, and meaningful travel experiences.

At the same time, it reduces pressure on the cities and communities you visit, while creating greater benefits for the local businesses you support.

An extra bonus: slow travel is also better for the environment since it reduces the amount of carbon emissions generated by flying or driving between destinations.

Travel gives you a fantastic opportunity to see other traditions, beliefs, and ways of life.

It is vital we take these amazing opportunities to expand our knowledge and understanding by embracing the differences and soaking up the local culture.

This can start before you leave your house. Take the time to read up on the local history, traditions, and etiquette before visiting. Download a language app and learn a few phrases in the local language.  

Make sure you are aware of any gestures, clothing, or words that might be considered offensive to the local community.

Be especially mindful when visiting religious or spiritual sites. Only go to sites where tourists are welcome and adhere to any protocols.

Remember, wherever you go, you're visiting someone's home. Obey all the local laws, customs, and be considerate and thoughtful of those you meet - A little bit of respect goes a long way.

When you pay to visit national parks, marine sanctuaries, and other protected areas that play an important role in protecting our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity, you are helping to fund the amazing work they do.

Many countries rely on tourism fees such as entrance fees, operator permits, or bed levies to preserve these special places and animals.

The last 18 months have essentially cut off this revenue stream, putting many protected areas and endangered species in jeopardy.

As you are planning your post-COVID travels, look up the protected areas in your destination and add one to your itinerary.

When visiting any natural area, always act in a responsible manner. Avoid degrading sensitive environments or disturbing wildlife and follow the Leave No Trace Principles.

We hope this list gives you a few ideas for how you can become a more environmentally aware traveller.

Let us know if you have any other tips that we could add to the list!

Make sure that you are a conscientious traveller when you travel abroad. By doing so, you can have a positive impact on the country and local economy of the places you visit, whilst learning new things and exploring new areas.

It is beholden on all of us to discover the world as responsibly as possible and leave a small ecological footprint.

By doing this, you will create employment for locals, whilst you preserve and respect the culture, nature, and wildlife.

Ethical and green travel is becoming increasingly more popular. We hope these sustainable travel tips help you to be a more eco-friendly traveller!

Hi, we are Lisette and Liam, your local Travel Consultants in Hampton Court.

As your Personal Travel Experts, we are here to make planning your next holiday stress-free and easy.

Whether you know exactly what you want or need some travel inspiration, we will use our knowledge and expertise to create a bespoke holiday you will love.

From the whole package to those finishing touches such as car hire and travel insurance, we have got you covered!

Have a chat with us.

We're available to call any time and happy to arrange a personal meeting to discuss your holiday ideas with you. Get in touch today: 07505 999773

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