Before Covid-19, more than one billion people traveled around the globe every year. Travel and tourism are part of the biggest industry in the world. It accounts for about 10% of the global economy, creates
Before Covid-19, more than one billion people traveled around the globe every year. Travel and tourism are part of the biggest industry in the world. It accounts for about 10% of the global economy, creates millions of jobs, has helped many small businesses thrive, and has brought profits to a number of communities. Even though the travel and tourism sector has proven to be beneficial, it also has many negative impacts, especially on the environment: damage to the ecosystem, increase in fossil fuel consumption, and destruction of cultural sites. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you should cancel your trip or be guilt-ridden. In this article, we will give you some tips on reducing the environmental impact of your next holiday…
What Is Responsible Travel?
Responsible travel means traveling the world in an environmentally friendly way. The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) describes ”sustainable tourism” as: “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities”.
Why Is It Important To Travel Responsibly?
If you are on this page right now, it must be because you love traveling, but understand the importance of preserving the authenticity of your destination. Many people do not understand that the beauty of traveling relies on experiencing cultures and appreciating diversity.
It is important to travel responsibly to save the environment for future generations to see and make it an equitable market for everyone, rather than an advantage for some and a disadvantage for others.
Ways To Travel Responsibly:
1. Research
Becoming a responsible traveler starts at home, by looking for destinations that work toward sustainability and protecting cultural heritage. As people are becoming more environmentally conscious, there are more emerging green destinations available.
2. Traveling Mode
Green traveling is not easy, but it is always worth it. Flying is a big contributing factor to your carbon footprint, so it’s always best to find ways to mitigate the amount of flying you do – this means opting for direct flights where possible, or choosing fuel-efficient aircraft to travel by if you have that option. Of course, this is often out of your control unless you own your own plane.
3. Accommodation
Whenever you are choosing your accommodation, try to ditch the luxurious hotels for eco-friendly accommodation. You can choose a home-stay; this will help you be more eco-friendly and live the local experience to the fullest.
If you want to stay at a hotel, choose the most ecological one and research their contribution to the environment. You even send a mail or call there if possible to ask questions about the way they do things to see if they are more damaging or helping the environment.
4. Respect Cultures.
Each country has its own culture and tradition, so you should research it before getting there. For example, an action representing respect in your country may symbolize disdain in another.
5. Minimize Your Everyday Footprint
When packing, bring along with you your reusable water bottle, cutlery, and even your metal straw. Keep in mind that some countries have very strict rules for single usage plastic, and even if they do not, it will be helpful if you could manage the amount of waste you are leaving behind.
I do not need to stress that you should not litter. Whenever I am traveling, I like to carry a bag with me, in which I put all my garbage so that I throw them away once I find a bin.
Traveling responsibly will only amplify your travel experience. You will learn more from the locals and educate yourself on each country you visit. Let us know what you think of green travelling…