Sustainable Travel

Eco-friendly travel is to travel consciously by making choices that are environmentally friendly from your home all the way to your travel destination. When you make these choices, you take into account the effects your behavior can have on the local environment. There are many decisions you can make when it comes to this. For example, think about leaving the plane behind (although for distant travels this is almost impossible). Or travel by car, train or bike. You could also opt for a holiday closer to home, which would also reduce your travel time. Another option is to stay in fewer places longer.

Sustainable travel is not just about nature. It is also very important to support local communities wherever you might go for your holiday. By choosing accommodation such as locally run homestays, guesthouses, bed & breakfasts, or small hotels. By selecting local places your money will go to people who live in the area. The same goes for eating out in local restaurants and family run businesses. These small choices can have a big impact on the local communities you’ll visit. Lastly, definitely do some research on the activities that are available at your destination and this way you can select fun and sustainable things to do that also support the local people.

Respect for the local culture and traditions is an important part of sustainable travel. It’s worth it to read up on the ways of life of the country you are visiting. There are many travel guides available to educate you on the specifics of a local culture. As a visitor it can be confronting to see contradictions with your own country. Sometimes you’ll find yourself in circumstances that are different. When this does happen, it is important not to see everything from your own point of view. Tune into the fact that people have different ways of life and what is normal for one is not for the other.