Being sustainable has never been more important than it is today, and people all over the world are starting to look at what they are going in their day-to-day lives and how they can make it better for themselves and the planet. However, even more, people are now starting to practice this mindset with their travel adventures.
While travelling may seem like an unsustainable pastime, to begin with, with a bit of care and mindfulness, they can actually be more sustainable than staying at home. So many countries rely on tourism for income and jobs, so instead of retreating to your house, here are seven tips on how to travel sustainably.
Choose the Right Destinations
There are plenty of countries, cities, and towns out there in the world that are showcasing sustainability as being one of their prioritises, so by visiting these countries, you’re not only helping that country to be more sustainable, but also to remain sustainable yourself.
For example, countries like Iceland, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Norway, and France are just some of the places known for being some of the most sustainable countries in the world, so support them when it comes to travelling abroad.
Be Mindful of your Travel Method
Of course, one of the main ways you can add pollution via your travels is your actual method of travelling. Planes, cars, taxis, boats, and the sorts will all cause pollution of some kind, so think before you book something.
As a rule of thumb, try to stick to public transport to move around because the more people using these, the fewer people will be driving their own cars, and the less pollution will be made. Ideally, you’ll want to avoid hiring a car or using a taxi service altogether, unless it’s a shared taxi service.
Research Suitable Accommodations
“There are plenty of sustainable accommodation places that are popping up all over the place, so rather than sticking with the traditional method of just booking the cheapest hotel out there, look for somewhere that’s being sustainably proactive” explains Sarah Farrow, a travel blogger at Online Assignment Help and Eliteassignmenthelp.
She continues; “as sustainability rises in the public consciousness, more and more places will start emphasising what they do and how they help the planet, so keep an eye open as this will continue to be showcased.”
Buy Local, Enjoy Local Experiences
While eating well is a highlight of the travel experience for many people, trying to shop as locally as possible can be so much more rewarding and helpful to the earth. For example, staying in a self-catering accommodation and then buying your food at local markets, rather than going to supermarkets, can support the local economy and ensures low food miles.
What’s more, when you choose the activities you do, choose sustainable ones. You could replace a 4×4 off-road driving experience with a hike up the very same mountain. This point only requires you to use a bit of common sense.
Spend Money Wisely
While on the subject of using common sense, if you’re reading this then you probably already know a bit about living sustainably, so practice this when you’re abroad. Most notably, only buy food as and when you need it to reduce food waste and try to avoid buying single-use plastics and plastic packaging where possible.
Using Electricity and Water Conservatively
“The same as when you’re at home, don’t stay in a hotel and leave all the lights on, or the shower running, or the television on as you fall asleep. Instead, be conservative, be mindful of your energy and water usage, and turn things off as soon as you don’t need them” shares Amy Turner, a journalist at Boomessays and Australianhelp.
Always Leave Bettering a Place
A fantastic habit to get into while travelling around is to always leave a place better than you find it. While you may not add to a problem, such as leaving litter in places, if there is litter somewhere you arrive, then pick it up and put in the bin.
Not only does this set a good example for anyone around you, but it also helps anybody else coming to the site after you become more mindful of keeping it clean and disposing of their rubbish sustainably.
Beatrix Potter is a travel writer at Dissertation Writer and Coursework Writing services. Bea writes about travelling and sustainability at home and abroad, and she also tutors at Custom Essays in AU website.