The obvious way to make travel more sustainable is to reduce consumption and thereby release less CO2 into the atmosphere through transportation, accommodation, food and waste.
But, as the economic losses from the pandemic have shown, tourism is a powerful distributor of wealth. If handled responsibly, it can bring about meaningful change, from improving local infrastructure, education and health care to protecting culture and human rights. The suggestions below are not exhaustive, but they can help reduce the negative effects of our footprint while increasing the positive ones at the same time.
Travel less
Take your historical travel habits into account – they can include one long-distance trip a year or several short breaks. Traveling less but longer can bring greater economic benefits to the destination while reducing the environmental impact of multiple trips. For example, you can visit Berlin and the German Baltic Sea coast, Naples and Apulia in Italy or Valencia and the Costa Blanca in Spain and cover the distance by public transport.
Tour operators are on the go, offering the flexibility to customize a vacation instead of offering off-the-shelf one- or two-week packages. For example, Citalia offers several Italy Rail routes, such as a two-week journey from Rome via Sorrento to Sicily.
Consider means of transport
Byway tour operator was founded last year to promote “travel through, don’t fly over” – and sells fly-free holidays in the UK and Europe, from Cornwall to Corsica. Seat61.com also provides a detailed resource for planning rail travel around the world.
Historic houses and parked bicycles along the Oudegracht (Old Canal) – Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo: Jörg Greuel / Getty)
In order to calculate the difference between air and alternative transport, EcoPassenger compares the emissions. For example, taking a train from London to Barcelona would produce 19.5 kg of CO2, while flying would emit 108 kg.
According to the Air Transport Action Group, flights generated 915 million tons of CO2 worldwide in 2019, with air traffic accounting for around 2 percent of all man-made emissions.
If you decide to fly, consider how much CO2 the flight will emit. A young fleet of narrow-body aircraft and a high occupancy rate – which are more likely to be operated by low-cost airlines on short-haul routes – lead to lower emissions. The difference on a flight from London to Barcelona could almost double depending on the airline.
Airlines are starting to invest in new, more fuel-efficient aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel made from waste. Some are also investing in the development of hydrogen-powered aircraft, the only waste of which is water. According to the manufacturer Airbus, aircraft could be ready for development by 2035.
Stay sustainable
A night in a hotel can produce up to 30 kg of carbon dioxide. Choosing environmentally certified accommodation (Leed in the US, Breeam in the UK, Verde in Spain) and having it run by an organization such as Green Tourism or the Global Sustainable Tourism Council are good reference points.
Accommodations that use or even produce renewable energy, that grow as much as possible from their own products and that offer incentives for the use of public transport are also advantageous.
Fritton Lake Clubroom, Norfolk (Photo: Edvinas Bruzas)
Other points to consider include how to deal with sewage and garbage, how much food is consumed and wasted, how much plastic is used, and whether air conditioning is used.
Pages like ecobnb.com, greentraveller.de, staybeyondgreen.com, bouteco.co and bookdifferent.com are good resources.
Personal responsibility also comes into play – open a window rather than turn on the air conditioning, bring your own toiletries, use the same towels and bedding throughout your stay, and only turn on the lights when needed.
Think locally
Supporting local businesses is a great way to capitalize on the positive effects of tourism. The money you spend goes directly to the destination – while the UN calculates that the benefit in some mass tourism models can be up to 5 percent. A package tour can provide financial incentives by covering all of the costs associated with a trip as well as financial security, but consider where the money goes.
More and more travel companies are making their customers aware of this. For example, G Adventures has a “ripple score” that calculates how much money is left at the destination, and the tour operator says they are “committed” to improving lower ratings of their tours “where possible”.
Much Better Adventures sells tours with local companies, making sure that 80 percent of the proceeds go to the local economy. TravelLocal also tailors trips with local travel agencies and Adventure Alternative, who organizes hikes to the highest peaks in the world, sets up local companies to train employees for long-term careers.
B-Corp certified travel companies (travelbybcorp.co.uk) are affirmed to balance people with planet and profit. Member Intrepid Travel, for example, has a non-profit foundation that improves livelihoods through sustainable travel experiences. Projects include improving education for girls in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and nature conservation in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
On-site tours and experiences can also support local businesses. Charities and nonprofits can raise funds by hosting tourists through Airbnb’s Social Impact Experiences, such as: B. through the Traboules passages of Lyon and the support of the history and art of the city.
Be purposeful
Look at the number of tourists versus the population density of the destination. Do you want to pressure Some destinations, such as Machu Picchu or the Galapagos Islands, limit visitor numbers to protect the environment. Others levy a tourist tax to help finance conservation, while other tourists temporarily close completely.
We can also take on personal responsibility, for example by visiting “second” cities (swap Amsterdam for Utrecht or Dublin for Cork) or alternative routes such as the Lares Trek instead of the Inca Trail in Peru. The Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini are popular for a reason, but there are dozens more to explore that reach only a fraction of the tourist numbers.
Salad bar with locally produced food (Photo: Alexander Spatari / Getty)
Eat local
A third of the world’s food production is wasted every year – and according to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, around 18 percent of the UK’s annual food waste is caused by hospitality and the hospitality industry.
Hotels and lodging establishments are increasingly committed to reducing the amount of food waste. Buffets and portion sizes are addressed while technology is introduced to analyze why food is thrown away. Some hotels donate leftover food to charities and food banks. Think about where the food comes from – are the fish, fruits, and vegetables local or were they likely imported? The same applies to seasonality. And how much food is appropriate in an all inclusive resort? Reducing your consumption of meat and dairy products can also help.
Stay close to home
Regardless of the weather, Great Britain has just as diverse a range of offers as many long-distance travel destinations, from the warm microclimate of the Isles of Scilly to the snow-capped mountains of the Scottish Highlands, geological peculiarities and a wonderful wildlife. There are sleeper trains that travel across the country, small boat adventures to distant islands, challenges for hikers and cyclists and thrills for adrenaline junkies such as cliff camping or the fastest zip line in the world. Before you start looking for this great adventure, first take a look at what’s on your doorstep.
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Support rewilding
The natural landscape is being restored through projects around the world. The aim is for nature to be able to take care of itself, ecosystems to become healthier and biodiversity to increase.
In Great Britain, Rewilding Britain wants to convert 5 percent of the land back into nature and thus create “opportunities for resilient new nature-based economies”. Important species of native wildlife are also introduced, including native cattle and beavers. Projects include areas such as the seabed and coast around the Isle of Arran, the Knepp Castle Estate in Sussex, the Wicken Fen Nature Reserve in Cambridgeshire and the Wild East in East Anglia. The Scottish Rewildling Alliance also brings like-minded projects together, as does Rewilding Europe and the European Nature Trust (Tent).
Tourism plays a role in providing revenue to support these projects, from the Fritton Lake Holiday Park (part of Wild East) to the Alladale Wilderness Reserve in Scotland and a variety of wildlife viewing trips in Europe’s rewilding projects, such as the Carpathian Mountains in Romania (with tent and the European Safari Company).
Man admires the view in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile (Photo: Marco Bottigelli / Getty)
Be careful with the ‘eco’ tag
Being in a natural setting doesn’t necessarily mean that you are an eco-tourist. Think about whether nature, people and the climate are supported.
According to the International Ecotourism Society, tourism should:
● Minimize the physical, social, behavioral and psychological effects.
● Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
● Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
● Providing direct financial benefits for nature conservation.
● Generate financial benefits for both local people and the private sector.
● Help to raise awareness of the political, ecological and social climate in the host countries.
● Design, build and operate plants with low impact.
Memories to take away only
Souvenir hunting is an integral part of the vacation experience, but it may not always be the best buy. The items may have been made many miles from their point of sale and represent poorly, if at all, the host community. They can also be illegal – for example, if they are made of coral or ivory.
Locally made crafts are a better option and are less likely to find themselves in a drawer when it’s at home.
