fbpx

SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLING TIPS

10 sustainable travelling tips that will help you explore more sustainably

When planning your trip or travelling around a foreign country, sustainability is often overlooked. We’re here to help you make small changes that can have a big impact whilst travelling.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Research is vital in making sure that you are travelling to countries that are committed to sustainable tourism and have procedures in place that help you make a positive impact on the community, wildlife and the environment. Avoid areas that are suffering from over-tourism. Explore amazing places closer to home. 

Travelling
Travelling

Image from Whitepod hotel & restaurant 

SUSTAINABLE ACCOMMODATION

Only stay in accommodation that is promoting and delivering on sustainability. Often these are small, locally-owned hotels and lodges that can manage their impact by implementing environmental policies and employing local staff.

MOVE SLOWER

If travelling closer to home, look at alternative transport options before booking a flight, you might be surprised at how well connected Europe is. If heading further afield look at direct flights and travel for longer rather than short weekend breaks. When you are exploring the country, why not walk, cycle, or kayak. They’re all great options that help you slow down, appreciate the sights, keep you fit and benefit the environment.

Travelling

LESS IS MORE

When packing for a trip, less is more! Every extra kilo requires extra fuel so start with the smallest bag to restrict how much you can bring. We highly recommend re-thinking that extra outfit that you might never wear, try to mix and match different items so that you reuse clothes instead.Try and avoid buying a holiday wardrobe. 

BE PART OF THE SOLUTION

Avoid plastics wherever you can. Two of the simplest ways to do this is by packing a tote bag for shopping and a re-useable water bottle. Most hotels provide safe filtered water and you can also take purification tablets for those places that don’t.

Travelling

EAT LOCAL

Eating at a local restaurant means that you are helping to support businesses within the community, as well as getting an authentic experience. Avoid buffets at hotels as they generate lots of food waste. Local food is always better.

BUY LOCAL

You can often get carried away buying tacky tourist souvenirs; we have all done it! These are usually mass-produced in China. Instead, make sure you find items that are locally produced and help empower the local community. Never buy wildlife products, as you’ll be supporting the trafficking market and ultimately endangering wildlife. Even beautiful seashells can cause damage as they become mass scavenged by locals. Think before you buy!

Travelling

CONSIDER WILDLIFE

Animals belong in the wild, make sure that all animal interaction is in their natural environment or in a conservation area that helps protect the wildlife. It’s important to give animals their space so that they can thrive and are not jeopardised by humans getting too close. 

LEAVE NO TRACE

We must protect the world as we explore it, leaving only footprints behind. You can follow the Leave No Trace policy that helps explorers follow seven key principles to help them action this plan.

GIVE IN THE RIGHT WAY

If you are hoping to help a community, do so in a way that ensures it is actually benefiting the community. There are a lot of volunteer programmes that are focused on the tourists rather than the community. Use a reputable local organisation or one that is internationally recognised so that you know you are helping to make a difference in the right way. You might be surprised but even giving products like sweets can cause community conflict.

READY TO START PLANNING YOUR NEXT SUSTAINABLE TRIP?

GET IN TOUCH TODAY

 

MORE TRAVEL INSPIRATION