Sustainable tourism - where and how to travel with awareness?

Combating climate catastrophe is one of contemporary civilization's most difficult challenges. Air pollution and the mass manufacture of disposable plastic objects have a significant impact on our daily lives. We've also been hearing a lot about sustainable tourism lately. This, however, is not just another vacation trend.

What is sustainable tourism?

To say that sustainable tourism is eco-friendly travel is like saying nothing at all. Proponents of this idea emphasize that it is not only about our planet, but also about people. Specifically, the local communities that inhabit the places we visit. Conscious and responsible travel not only supports the regions, but also reduces the degradation of ecosystems.

It is possible that in the near future, sustainable tourism will turn from a curiosity into a norm. The same happened with not eating meat. Nowadays, being a vegetarian or vegan does not cause such a commotion in the company as it did several years ago. Practically every restaurant offers meatless dishes. In fact, more and more restaurants are opening in many cities that serve only vegan dishes.

It’s worth knowing what conscious travel is all about now. This knowledge can come in handy when planning this year’s vacation. Despite appearances, sustainable tourism is not a set of restrictions. It is a chance to explore our world more fully and responsibly.

Consciously choose where you travel

Sustainable tourism starts with choosing your destination. Consider vacationing in places that have been affected by natural disasters. The pandemic has prevented them from making up their financial losses, so the local tourist base needs travelers now more than ever.

In Europe, for example, this could be the Lido island separating the Venetian Lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. Locally, all businesses are locally owned. Another alternative to major Italian cities is Trieste. Outside of Europe, support Puerto Rico or Sri Lanka locally.

The less, the better

Taking lighter luggage on your trip is not only friendly to our wallet, but also to the planet. If possible, when flying by plane, try to limit yourself to hand luggage. Every extra kilogram means more fuel consumption by the engines. The first step in reducing the load may be to replace several bottles of personal care products with bar soap and a small shampoo.

Mass consumerism is also worth mentioning here. Many people still buy new clothes specifically for a two-week vacation. First, it’s worth taking a look at your closets to see if you really don’t have anything to wear. If we are short of summer clothes, we can use the exchange. Currently, more and more Internet users are willing to exchange clothes or sell them at bargain prices.

A change on a plate

Eating local and organic food has a positive impact on society and the environment. You can reduce CO2 emissions by choosing restaurants that use regional ingredients — preferably grown by the owners themselves.

Avoid imported foods and beef. By doing so, you will not only support local producers but also reduce the carbon footprint left by the food service industry.

Volunteering is not helping

There is nothing wrong with helping others. In order to make the help as effective and ethical as possible, it is worth considering what we can give ourselves. A disturbing phenomenon is the so-called volunteerism. How can we recognize it? Most often these are groups of Europeans and Americans who visit the poorest (or were considered so years ago) places in the world. Their goal is to bring about changes that will make people’s lives better. On the spot, they are often regarded as heroes of the West, which only perpetuates the divisions between nationalities.

Volunteering abroad is not a Marvel movie. You don’t have to put on a special costume and work on a construction site. You can help in a variety of ways, such as providing information or acting as an intermediary between organizations and those in need. Always check that your involvement will be needed and constructive.

Sustainable travel agencies

Specialized agencies and organizations, such as Pura Aventura, can help you organize sustainable travel. The Anglo-Spanish tour operator takes tourists to Spain and Latin America. The departure programs are dominated by places of natural wealth. Pura Aventura measures the carbon footprint of each customer. Additionally, it financially supports a rural community development project in Nicaragua.

Norway is one of the most sustainable countries in the world. More and more local travel agencies are focusing on conscious travel, and of all of them, Up Norway stands out. The guides work exclusively with socially and environmentally sustainable partners. Tourists can explore unspoiled places, hidden from most travelers, by kayak or ferry. From this perspective, the famous fjords look even more spectacular.

Intrepid is the world’s largest sustainable travel company. Specific requirements apply to all aspects of the business, from staff to supply chain. The organizers offer adventure group trips. In addition, The Intrepid Foundation supports excluded communities around the world through training and promoting gender equality and job creation.