If you’re anything like me, this global pandemic has you itching to get out of the house and hop on a plane to the farthest corner of the globe. Day dreaming from my couch may be the only option right now, but it has been a great opportunity to reflect on lessons from my past trips as an aspiring sustainable tourist. There’s no time like a global pandemic to do some learning! Take these lessons and tips to heart when planning your post-pandemic adventure, and let’s strive to be more responsible green travelers together.
1. Plan Your Destination
The truth is….if you are really worried about how to be a sustainable traveler, you should stick close to home. However, if you want to venture farther away, be sure to choose your destination wisely.
Stay Close to Home
Flying is one of the largest contributors to your carbon footprint as a traveler. It’s simple: the easiest way to reduce your emissions and fossil fuel consumption is to fly less. Get out and explore what your own backyard has to offer! You may even discover new exciting adventures and hidden gems in your own neighborhood.
Sustainable Travel Destinations
For trips farther away, there are incredible options for responsible tourism destinations. Every year, Green Destinations celebrates countries across the world for their efforts in sustainability. Choose from a list of the top 100 sustainable destinations, or go for the gold by visiting the winners in sustainability. Outside of this list, consider destinations with the following characteristics to travel with minimal impact:
- Easy to get around. Countries and cities with efficient public transportation and established pedestrian infrastructure are great options for keeping your carbon footprint light during your stay. Check out the top cities for public transit across the world.
- Options for sustainable accommodations. Some countries have more options than others for sustainable lodging. Sites like bookdifferent.com do the leg work for you by selecting accommodations based on strict green credentials.
- Opportunities to support conservation. Destinations with Marine Protected Areas and National Parks are excellent opportunities to give back to the environment during your travels.
- Seasonality of tourism. For more popular tourist destinations, visit during the off-season to avoid over-crowding and exploitation of the locals’ home.
2. Minimize Your Footprint
Fossil Fuels
Flights
If you must fly, book direct flights whenever possible. Each flight demands the most fuel for take off and landing, so aim for as few connections as possible. Also, consider taking fewer, longer trips to make the most out of your resource use.
Transportation
Next, have a plan for getting around your destination. Hopefully, you have lots of options for public transportation, but exploring by bike or on foot can offer a highly immersive experience. If you must drive, try to rent cars in large groups, or opt for a ride-sharing service.
Tours
Additionally, experiences such as boat and aerial tours are increasingly popular among tourists who wish to access remote locations and witness incredible natural sites. Unfortunately, these tours demand high amounts of fuel, often operate unchecked by emissions regulations, and invite scores of tourists into fragile habitats. However, many communities in developing nations rely on these attractions for their economy. You can still support these communities by opting for paddle trips, walking tours, sailboat rides etc. Otherwise, if your heart is set on a specific guided experience, choose group tours over private trips. Besides, joining group tours is an incredible way to meet people from all over the world!
Solid Waste
It can be extremely challenging to minimize your solid waste production especially when traveling to remote locations. Many developing countries do not have the infrastructure for a clean water supply, and you may be forced to rely on plastic water bottles. Furthermore, many of these countries do not have strong solid waste management, and trash ends up blanketing the natural beauty that attracts tourists in the first place. Plan ahead to be aware of the water situation in your destination. I learned the hard way during my trip to the Philippines where I had no choice but to purchase plastic water bottles for the whole month. If I had planned properly, I would have packed water purifying tablets and reusable bottles, utensils, and takeaway containers. Lesson learned.
Habitat Destruction
Please for the love of all things good…educate yourself on responsible behavior in the natural areas of your destination. AKA: do not touch or stand on the coral! Clearly this is a sensitive subject for me….but it is pretty simple. Stay on designated trails to avoid damaging native vegetation. Clean your shoes and gear to prevent the spread of invasive species. Also, more and more tour operators around the world are taking environmental education and habitat protection seriously, so try to book with a reputable, responsible provider.
3. Offset Your Impact
Voluntourism
More tourists today are traveling with the intent of making a difference in the world, which is evident in the growing trend of ‘voluntourism.’ Voluntourism is a great strategy for offsetting the negative outputs of your travels. For instance, contribute to local environmental restoration by researching opportunities to plant trees, clean up beaches, or adopt a coral. You can also support the local community by assisting an advocacy group or organizing petitions. However, make sure your volunteer work fits the following credentials from World Nomads to have a legitimate, lasting impact:
- Conducted by local community leaders
- Creates long term benefit for the community
- Doesn’t take away jobs from local people
- Involves collaboration with local volunteers
At the risk of sounding like a broken record: do your research! Use a legitimate agency to place you in a volunteer role that matches your skills, and make sure you know exactly where your monetary donations go.
Carbon Credits
Carbon credits are an easy way to offset some of your greenhouse gas emissions. You can usually purchase carbon credits directly through your airline or through accredited carbon offset programs. Remember that this will not absolve you of your carbon emissions, but it is a step in the right direction.
4. Make Your Dollar Count
Your dollar as a tourist often has profound impacts on the local economy. Be wise with your wallet by supporting locally-owned businesses instead of international operations like all-inclusive resorts. Even better, spend your money at sustainably run businesses, such as farm-to-table restaurants, to support a green economy in your destination.
Also, as a true green tourist, focus your spending on the environment as well. Support conservation and restoration efforts around the world by paying to visit MPA’s, National Parks, World Heritage Sites, local refuges etc.
5. Respect Local Culture
Before setting off for your destination, thoroughly research the cultural norms and expectations of the local people. After all, you are a guest in their home. Whether it is gender rules, dress codes, or dining manners, the last thing you want to do as a visitor is offend your hosts. Also, learning about the local culture offers an exceptionally enriching experience when you step outside your own patterns of living.
6. Build Awareness
To me, traveling is the most impactful way to learn about the world and its people. Open your mind to new ways of thinking and living, and take those lessons with you through life. And…hello! We live in a social world where we are constantly connected through media. If you are lucky enough to get out and see the world, share your experiences as a green traveler with the people in your life. Hopefully, others will follow your example, and you will inspire a new wave of conscientious global citizens.
