6 Tips for Sustainable Travel: Our Guide to Eco-Conscious Tourism
These days we’re all more aware of how our actions might be impacting the environment negatively. Climate change is already starting to affect our planet seriously, and we’re seeing more harmful bushfires, floods, and extreme weather in Australia and beyond.
We can do many things as individuals to be more environmentally conscious and reduce our carbon footprint. Most people know that flying overseas isn’t exactly “green.” But at Click and Trip, we believe there’s a balance between indulging your wanderlust and being a responsible global citizen.
Travelling to new places and exploring the world also helps us to understand our place in it. Through travel, we can gain a better understanding of environmental issues in other countries and contribute to conservation efforts and cultural understanding across nations.
Of course, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of travel and do whatever you can to reduce it. At Click and Trip, we’re committed to making our trips as sustainable and responsible as possible. We still have a lot of work to do, but with the help of our travel partners, we’re taking steps towards making tourism more eco-friendly.
What is Sustainable Travel?
More sustainable travel means doing what you can to reduce harmful impacts on your travel destination. This is not just about the environment but also the culture and economy of wherever you visit.
If you carefully plan your trip and choose accommodation, transportation, and activities with sustainable travel in mind, you can have a positive impact on the environment and local communities of the countries you travel to.
Benefits of Sustainable Travel?
Choosing more sustainable travel options is obviously better for the environment and the people who live in popular holiday destinations. But as a traveller, there are many plus points for you too! Some of the benefits you can gain from more sustainable travel include:
● More meaningful and rewarding experiences through slow travel and knowing you’re creating a positive impact.
● Saving money by choosing more eco-friendly options like eating in local restaurants with seasonal ingredients rather than opting for imported food.
● Improving your health by choosing activities like cycling or hiking instead of taking car trips.
● Opportunities for personal growth as you learn about new cultures and ways of life.
● Less stress as you focus less on rushing around seeing attractions and more on slowing down and enjoying the simple pleasures of travel.
Tips for More Sustainable Travel?
So what are some of the steps you can take towards being a more eco-conscious traveller?
1. Choose resorts and accommodations with sustainable policies
These days many hotels and resorts try to be more sustainable through initiatives such as using alternative energy sources, reducing their use of plastic, and encouraging guests to cut down on laundry and water usage.
Most travellers don’t choose to stay in a backpackers hostel once they’re out of their twenties, but this is actually a very eco-friendly accommodation option!
While you don’t have to go to this extreme, it’s worth considering the impact of your stay. The eco-friendly Song Saa Private Island hotel was founded by Rory and Melita Hunter, who established the country’s first government recognized marine reserve, built a community-sustained solid waste management centre and launched the Song Saa Foundation which initiates and promotes projects that improve the wellbeing of communities in the Koh Rong Archipelago.
2. Opt for socially and environmentally responsible activities
Avoid activities that may disturb or exploit local communities or wildlife, such as dolphins and elephants. For example, we encourage guests on our India tours visiting Jaipur Amber Fort not to take part in the elephant rides at the fort.
Instead, we offer an optional experience where travellers can interact with rescued elephants. This is not only a great photo opportunity and sure to be a treasured memory, but it also supports organisations taking care of these majestic animals.
3. Choose more sustainable transport options where possible
Choosing to take trains or buses instead of flying short distances is a more eco-friendly option. You can also opt for shared transport like buses to get around instead of private cars and taxis.
Air travel does, unfortunately, have a high impact on the environment. But you can reduce this impact by flying with an airline offering a carbon-offsetting program. This means they’ll invest in environmental initiatives such as planting trees to offset the carbon used in your trip.
4. Be mindful of your energy and water usage while travelling
Being lax about energy saving is easy when you’re on holiday. But small actions like turning off lights when you’re not using them or turning off your AC when leaving your hotel room can add up to a big difference.
When you’re in a hot country, it’s important to drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. But try to opt for glasses or larger bottles where possible to cut down on plastic waste. As part of our Sri Lanka tours, our suppliers help to preserve the environment by offering our travellers a refillable glass bottle at each hotel, so you or your local driver can refill as necessary.
5. Invest in the local economy
Try to shop at small local shops instead of big supermarkets, opt for family-run restaurants, and use local guides to put money back into the local community. All our trips include the services of a local guide, and we share local recommendations with travellers so they can contribute to the local community. We encourage purchasing locally produced goods and suggest community-based tours.
6. Stay in one place for longer
Slow travel, in general, is a great way to be a more responsible traveller. Our Essentials trips, in particular, include plenty of free time in the itineraries so you can take your time and get to know your destination on a deeper level.
Avoid tourist hotspots where possible to reduce strain on local resources, and always respect local communities, traditions, and cultures.
Our Commitment to Sustainable Travel?
At Click and Trip, helping you travel in a way that’s as eco-friendly as possible is one of our main priorities. Whenever we bring on a new supplier, we check carefully to make sure they can organise sustainable accommodation, transport, and activities to support the local community.
We only work with partners who share our values to protect natural and cultural heritage, promote eco-friendly tourism, and actively contribute to minimising their impact on the environment.
If you’re looking for a sustainable travel agency, we’d love to help you plan your next trip. If you have any ideas or suggestions for how we can better support sustainable travel, we’d love to hear them! Let’s work together to make the world better for everyone through responsible travel.
