How to become a more sustainable traveler

Sustainable travel doesn’t have to be about taking a bus to a nearby campground and doing nothing but healthy outdoor activities. You can travel far and still be kind to the environment and the people you visit.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization defines sustainable tourism as travel “that takes full account of current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, responding to the needs of visitors, industry, the environment and host communities.”

Here are four things to keep in mind to do just that.

Get off the beaten track

Before the pandemic, many popular destinations worldwide were stifled by overtourism, and we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

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Choose smaller towns, less-visited regions, and quieter beaches and you’ll help ease the pressure on over-crowded destinations and likely get a more authentic experience while you’re at it.

To slow down

FOMO (the fear of missing out) robs many of us of the restorative breaks we really need. When your social media feeds are full of images of influencers posing in “#mustdo” locations, it can be tempting to act like a sheep and follow them.

Consider swapping several short trips for one or two long breaks. Try to settle in one location and take the time to discover it for yourself. Check Google Maps for the top-rated restaurants, beaches and other attractions, ask locals and other travelers for recommendations, or just explore and explore.

Compensate your trip

Offsetting the carbon emissions of your flights is a start, but serious sustainable travelers pay attention to their entire holiday.

You can offset emissions directly with many airlines when you book your flights, or use independent organizations such as myclimate.org or the Toitu Envirocare Travel Calculator to offset various aspects of your trip.

Ideally, you buy credits that go to a project that avoids greenhouse gas emissions or helps remove them from the atmosphere.

Choose your mode of transport wisely

There is no denying that flying has a major CO2 impact, contributing more than 2% of global emissions. If it were a country, it would be among the top 10 CO2 emitting offenders in the world.

Driving may be better than flying if there are a few of you in the car, but if you are traveling alone it may matter a lot. Traveling by bus or train is usually a greener option and usually makes your trip as adventurous as exploring your destination.

Once there, walking and cycling are the best ways to go – guided tours can take you to hidden gems you would never have discovered on your own and provide a fully sensory experience.

If you need to rent a car, opt for an electric or hybrid model. If you must fly, do your best to get a direct flight as approximately 25% of aircraft emissions come from takeoff and landing.