Eco-Friendly Travel

Friday, 22 November 2024 08:00

By Lisa de Silva

With the impact of climate change and overtourism now a reality, Lisa de Silva explores how we can be more environmentally conscious when making travel plans

More and more travellers are waking up to the environmental and ethical impact of their holiday choices. With this growing awareness, the travel industry is seeing an increased demand for responsible and sustainable eco-friendly travel.

Environmental issues arising from traditional tourism

Traditional tourism, which usually involves air travel, has led to an increase in greenhouses gases contributing to both generalised climate change, along with poor air quality and localised pollution in popular destinations. Overtourism is also an increasing issue which puts pressure on a destination’s infrastructure and housing market, along with additional demands on waste and refuse management systems. In the developing world, the demands of traditional tourism can have a detrimental effect on local eco-systems, such as rainforests, coastal areas and coral reef gardens.

What is eco-friendly travel?

In a nutshell, eco-friendly travel aims to make a positive influence on the destinations and communities visited, by reducing the negative impact on the environment, preserving the destination’s cultural heritage and supporting its local communities. Through these initiatives, eco-friendly travel aims to contribute to the sustainability of popular destinations.

What are the benefits of eco-friendly travel?

More sustainable travel practices help to minimise negative impacts on the environment, protecting fragile eco- systems and preserving biodiversity. Many at-risk destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, the Maldives and Costa Rica have introduced sustainable initiatives and practices. These include regulating the number of tourists, supporting local communities through job creation and educational opportunities, and cultural preservation efforts.

Eco-friendly travel can also bring much needed economic, educational and employment benefits to local communities and conservation efforts. While for the traveller, supporting community-led tourism initiatives, whether learning traditional handicrafts or enjoying cultural festivals, the rewards include a deeper understanding and more authentic connections to a destination.

It is hoped that through promoting conservation efforts, empowering local communities and introducing sustainable practices, the travel industry can remain resilient and live in harmony with our precious planet.

How to ‘Travel Better’ in an eco-friendly way

With up to 76% of people (Booking.com 2023) now wanting to travel sustainably, how can we reduce our negative impact on the environment and make a more positive impact on our travel destinations? Here’s some ideas to inspire you.

Travel by train

One of the most polluting elements of any holiday is air travel, so switching to train travel will help the planet. Travelling by train is sociable, allows you to enjoy the landscape and can feel more like an adventure. What’s more, it is also becoming much easier owing to increased networks and connections and the reintroduction of many European sleeper routes. Once at your destination, try to use electric cars, e-bikes, kayaks, canoes, pedal and foot power for exploring.

Tour Operators

Choose your holiday provider with care. There is much greenwashing out there, so look for companies committed to sustainable travel and those that invest in environmental, local conservation and community projects at the destinations they offer.

Accommodation Providers

Look for hotels and accommodation that use renewable energy sources, have water conservation and waste reduction systems, have a no single-use plastics policy, include ceiling fans or offer the opportunity to turn off air conditioning and operate a towel re-use policy. Much of this is standard practice for eco-lodge and eco-retreat accommodation, but
if you’re booking a local hotel, you’ll need to do your research. To improve your eco-credentials, camping can be environmentally friendly or consider a homestay. The latter involves staying in the home of a local family and offers mutual economic and social benefits.

Destinations

With all the recent publicity around overtourism, it can be more enriching to explore lesser-known destinations. However, if you do want to travel to some of the planet’s most popular treasures such as Venice or Amsterdam, try to do so out of season. Not only will these destinations offer better value, but you will avoid the worst of the crowds.

Local Community Involvement

As a guest of the local community always be respectful and immerse yourself in the culture as much as possible at your destination, it will
be greatly appreciated. For example, hire a local guide, use family-owned accommodation and restaurants, get involved in local community and conservation projects, visit the national parks, enjoy a handicrafts or cooking lesson from a local and if there’s a festival or celebration of some kind, do join in. Not only will this enrich your travel experience and help the local economy you may also make new friends.

Eco-Friendly Travel

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