Travel can have a great positive impact on the world, including building a greater understanding of other cultures and helping in wildlife conservation awareness efforts. The travel industry is one of the biggest worldwide industries, supplying millions of jobs over the world.
There are a lot of negative aspects to travel though, including the environmental impact of air travel, the failure of tourism money to reach local communities, and the strain on certain over-touristed areas. Here are the top five suggestions for travelers to minimize their environmental impact while still being able to travel.
1. Pick Your Destination Carefully
Vietnam’s Phu Quoc is home to the world’s longest sea cable car route.
@Shutterstock
Some nations are a lot more sustainable than others, and it’s possible to prioritize tourism and economic growth while still protecting natural areas and reserves. For example, Namibia was the first African country to protect its environment and entrench those protections in their constitution. In the country in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, communities are encouraged and empowered to conserve and protect the wildlife for their benefit. Going to a destination that prioritize conservation is a truly important decision for travelers.
2. Think About Means of Travel
A plane of Vietnam Airlines taking-off from London Heathrow Airport
Air quality is a huge environmental threat, so it’s important to consider how we fly and travel. Plane travel is sometimes the only real way we can get to the destinations we want to, but you can look to offset your carbon footprint by choosing an airline that is more eco-friendly than others. Some carriers use more sustainable aviation biofuel, such as United, KLM, and Qantas. It’s also much better to fly direct if you’re able to. If you can, consider traveling by train, at least for some legs of the journey, especially high-speed trains like the carbon-neutral Eurostar in Europe.
If you’re a cruise type of traveler, there are more eco-friendly cruise options like smaller, more economically efficient ships. Some small charter cruises put a lot back into conservation and protection of the places they visit, including contributing to the communities they visit.
3. Book the Right Accommodations
In Q2 2020, the Radisson Hotel Danang will bring the Radisson brand to the largest city on Vietnam’s central coast. Photo credit: Radisson Hotel Group
Sustainable hotels don’t necessarily mean that they’re low-quality; in fact, sometimes they’re the most luxurious. Before booking your accommodations on your next trip, look at how you’ll be affecting the ecosystem and community. Some locations use renewable energy from solar panels, rainwater filtration, and use more renewable materials. Some locations have zero plastic policies, and also work to build back the natural areas around them. Some are built without cutting down any trees and others replant hundreds of thousands of trees in their regions.
4. Put Money Into Local Economies
The unfortunate reality is that only a very small portion of the amount spent on a trip benefits the local economy. That means travel has a lot more to do so that it can truly support the communities. Many companies are making efforts to put the tourism dollars right back into communities instead of big corporations. There are also environmentally-conscious activities that people can opt for, like biking all over instead of driving.
5. Reduce Waste From Plastic and Food
Only a tiny percentage of plastic is actually recycled and it’s a major problem for the planet and especially our oceans. When you pack for your travel, think of options packed in recyclable containers, and support brands that look for solutions to climate change in the way we eat. Some countries in Africa have banned or taxed plastic bags, whereas others took it a step further and actually make the production and sale of plastic bags illegal. The worst culprit are single use water bottles. Instead, get a reusable water bottle and fill it up from clean drinking sources, or get a portable water filtration device to drink tap water wherever you go. It’s crucial to avoid buying bottled water at every destination, because that can start adding up quickly.
Travelers can do a lot to be more environmentally friendly in every trip that they take. From researching your destination to the hotels and restaurants you choose, there’s a lot of small gains that can be made.
Ellie Coverdale, a writer for Australian help and State of writing, is passionate about travel and lifestyle topics. She has travel to many countries and loves to share her experiences with her audience. She enjoys helping readers get the travel bug and discover new places. Ellie also writes and teaches for the platform Boom Essays.