Traveling the world and exploring hidden mysteries, experiencing many different cultures, and meeting amazing people should be on the bucket list for everyone. Some might say it isn’t sustainable due to carbon emissions from air travel. But curbing travel, whether due to business or leisure, isn't the answer. So here we have collected some tips to become a more sustainable traveler while enjoying the world.
There are still many different ways to travel, like by bus, train, car, or even motorbike. Now we know you can travel five times faster by air, but it is also five times more damaging to the environment. So if you are traveling within a country, you can travel other than air while you can see the actual countryside while on the road.
Similarly, when you are exploring a city, walk around one tourist destination each day and explore as much as you can. You don't have to mark the biggest attractions because you don’t get to see the actual local culture. Take the train or bus to a totally different area the next day and explore as much as you can all day.
When everyone visits the same 5-10 places, it causes over-tourism, congestion, too many people, and price hiking. Every tourist destination has numerous other places where you can experience the local culture more and have peace of mind. You can also visit many places during the off-season and get the place to yourself.
The same goes for smaller cities surrounding the major destinations, which will have more interaction with local culture. You will be welcomed more instead of people haggling with you for tour money or bugging you with souvenirs all day.
Finally, this way, you will be more helpful in investing some tourism money into that city and help in making tourism more sustainable in the long run.
You will be surprised to see so many places to visit near home that have been unexplored or are more familiar to the locals of that region. This will be the least harmful and lower carbon footprint than going to a different country.
Explore your city first, then a neighboring city, and so on. Maybe next year, go to a different destination outside your country but explore other cities again inside your country after that year. Keep doing that, and you will have more fun, enjoy and appreciate your country, and leave a lower carbon footprint than before.
If you are traveling, don’t buy the traveler pack that, when finished, can be just thrown in the trash. Instead, buy recyclable plastic bottles and fill them up before travel. If you finish them before the traveling finishes, fill up from the toiletries you got gratis in the hotel.
This is just the first step to minimizing the use of plastics. You can take harder glass containers, which might be heavier, but you won't be using plastics anymore. Even when it comes to cups, take retractable ones, saving you tons of space.
Taking layovers or transit flights might be cheaper for you or the airline. Still, it is much more detrimental to the environment as landing and taking off gives out maximum carbon emissions. Instead, take non-stop flights to your destination if you can. It will be more expensive but at least much more sustainable.
Most 5-star hotels may provide a luxurious stay, but they are one of the most non-sustainable ones. Some issues are throwaway toiletries in plastic bottles, fresh towels, sheets daily, etc.
You can find many eco-friendly yet smaller places that are much more sustainable in supporting the local sense. These places are run by local managers who support the local community more than the higher-end hotels.
These days, we want to be at our destination as fast as possible, explore tons, get exhausted, and then sleep for the next day. We repeat it repeatedly until it’s time to go back. We have forgotten the art of just sitting in a place, embracing every little sound and movement, and letting it all soak in.
Traveling isn’t about seeing as many places as possible. It is more about experiencing the culture and exploring yours within. You don’t get time to ponder when you are in your home living a busy life.
So travel by bus or train as much as you can. Let each experience move you, and enjoy how locals talk, move, eat, and behave. Sit down on the train and read a book. Make it an experience, not a race.
You care about the community that you live in and keep it as clean as possible. There is also a reason for getting a ticket when you litter. But during traveling, don’t forget all your demeanor and throw rappers and bags around. Be responsible wherever you are and keep everywhere clean.
Reduce SOveneir Footprint
Souvenirs are trinkets that will go on the wall, and your memories will stay with you forever. The experiences you gain while traveling make you what you are and give you a better perspective on life.
Saving money is also great for your sustainability as you get to meet new friends, experience a local home, and help them financially. They will be more than happy in most cases to show you around and give you company when needed.
You are also not wasting energy by staying in a hotel and sharing with a local. Furthermore, you make a friend for life and help each other when traveling.
These are some of the sustainable tips we have room for in this article. But there are many more, and these will build a good foundation for you in the future.
