Sustainable Travel: Planning your next Eco-Friendly Trip

Traveling is a way to discover new cultures, build new social relationships, and disconnect from our daily routine. However, planning a trip can be hard, especially if you are organizing a sustainable trip. There are many interesting guides to sustainable tourism that offer great tips and advice for an eco-friendly trip, but no worries, we have summarised it all for you. In this article, you will find all you need to know to plan your dream “sustainable” trip.

Is Sustainable Tourism Possible?

If you feel that it’s too good to be true, well… it is too good, and it is also true. Traveling sustainably is achievable, you just need to know what it means and how to do it. It is true that it is a little bit confusing as there are many definitions of sustainable tourism, but it is actually an easy concept to understand. Sustainable travel is traveling and discovering the world while preserving the natural environment of your destination and partake in activities that support local businesses and cultural projects.

Sustainable destinations

Choosing a destination is an important decision to make, especially that you’ll be spending most of your vacations there. For that reason, you should choose wisely and not rely only on beautiful beaches. To pick your sustainable destination, you can have a look at the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards, an award event that is “dedicated to recognizing innovation and good practices in tourism management of destinations and tour operators leading the way toward quality, attractiveness, and sustainability in tourism”.

One of the sustainable destinations that you can consider for your next vacation is “The Republic of Palau”, the winner of the ITB Earth Award. Palau is one of the destinations that show global leadership in fighting climate change and environmental degradation. Besides, it was the first nation to update its immigration policy and landing procedures by implementing the “Palau Pledge”, therefore, tourists are asked to sign the pledge, promising to protect the environment while visiting.

Sustainable Transportation

It is true that flying is one of the most polluting ways of traveling as it contributes to more than 2% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Fortunately, there are some eco-friendly airlines that make efforts to ensure a healthier future for our planet.

If you are traveling with a group of friends and don’t need to travel by air, you still can share a car, play your favorite songs, and enjoy your road trip.

If you are a solo traveler, trains are more eco-friendly than flying. Additionally, they are comfortable, cheaper, and you can enjoy the scenery.

Sustainable Accommodations

The best way to fully enjoy and experience the culture of the country you are visiting is to stay with locals. This is why you should opt for homestays and guest houses that are generally cheaper and more eco. Besides, your host can help you find hidden gems and gives advice on places to eat.

If you are more of a hotel person, find a hotel that has clear eco-friendly policies that are easy to find and proudly displayed on their website. You can still find your green accommodation by checking Bookdifferent or Ecobnb to see all the accommodation at your destination ranked for their eco-friendliness.

Sustainable Activities

Get a map and discover the area! Walking around allows you to create a connection with the city, and if you get lost, just let your surroundings tell you a story and listen with an open heart. On your way back to your hotel, stop by a local shop and have a chat with the owner or buy some souvenirs for your loved ones.

If you want some great pictures for your Instagram, rent a bike and discover unpopular scenic spots, that will get you so many likes. Hiking can also be a great opportunity to see some panoramic views that will take your breath away. Sustainable activities also include water activities such as diving, surfing, or swimming. The good news is there are many water activities like diving and snorkeling available in The Republic of Palau.

Now that you know all about sustainable travel, you can start planning your next trip to the sustainable destination of your choice knowing exactly how to enjoy your vacation while caring about the environment.

Author Bio:
Rania Jeoual from eco-: a marketplace and a media platform showing that there is a sustainable alternative for most everyday products and services. The media platform helps people to move towards a more sustainable way of life through tips, simple guides, and interviews of inspiring people. Follow on: