10 tips on how to travel (a little) more sustainably

It’s great to travel the world and experience cultures that are different from our own.

But it can sometimes seem a little paradoxical to travel when the world is facing so many climate challenges. But there are also good reasons to continue travelling the world.

To travel in a way that is kinder to our planet and the communities we visit, it is therefore important that we try to integrate more sustainable practices into our travel habits when visiting other countries.

Here are our tips on how you can travel (a little) more sustainably.

1. When possible, choose an airline that invests in biofuel

It can feel contradictory to focus on the climate and sustainability and at the same time get on a plane to travel.

Flying makes a significant contribution to global carbon emissions, but some airlines are seeking to reduce their environmental impact by investing in alternatives to fossil fuels, such as biofuel.

These airlines often have a transparent environmental policy and actively work to reduce their carbon footprint through efficiency improvements and by supporting research into sustainable aviation technology.

As a tour operator, we’re working to ensure that as many of our flights as possible are booked with airlines that have an emissions and/or reduction strategy that meets the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is an international agreement, drawn up by the UN Climate Convention, aimed at limiting the emission of greenhouse gases using a green transition.

2. Travel outside peak season

Popular destinations often experience a surge of visitors during peak season.

This can put a strain on local resources, degrade natural areas and create tension in the local community.

By travelling outside peak season, you can contribute to a more even distribution of visitors throughout the year, easing the pressure on the destinations and improving your own experience by avoiding the worst of the crowds.

By travelling outside peak season, you also contribute a more even distribution of the locals’ income throughout the year – an income that might otherwise be tight because it’s centred around a few months during the year. As a travel agency, we work tirelessly to secure even better prices in the off-season to encourage our guests to travel more spread out throughout the year.

3. Minimise your consumption of plastic

Plastic pollution is a huge environmental problem, especially in countries with inadequate waste management systems. So it’s also important that we, as visitors, focus on minimising our consumption of plastic.

Choose products with minimal packaging and be aware of your plastic consumption.

You can make a difference by bringing reusable water bottles, straws, cutlery and shopping bags, thereby avoiding single-use plastics as much as possible.

Every little action helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in nature.

4. Buy local souvenirs

In buying local crafts and products, you directly support the local community’s economy and contribute to the preservation of traditional crafts and culture.

Avoid mass-produced souvenirs, which are often imported and make a minimal contribution to the local business community. Instead, look for authentic items that tell a story about the place and its people.

5. Save water

Water is a scarce resource in many parts of the world, and some simple actions can have a big impact on water use in those areas where water is particularly valuable.

If you’re travelling to a location where water is scarce, you can help by reusing towels and bed linen, taking shorter showers, and only requesting that your room be cleaned when it’s actually needed. In these places, you can instead simply ask for your bed to be made and the bins to be emptied in order to ensure that the cleaning staff (usually women) continue to have something to do and do not lose their jobs.

6. Use local guides

By using local guides, you ensure that your money stays in the local community and supports local families.

Local guides can often offer a deeper insight and more authentic experience at the destination than non-local guides.

Not only does this promote cultural understanding on your tour, but using a local guide is also the more sustainable choice. It contributes to the local economy by creating jobs in the area, and no resources have been spent on getting the guide to the country.

7. Take care of nature

When visiting natural areas, it’s important to leave them as you found them.

This means that you shouldn’t go off the path, as this can disturb the wildlife, and you should remember to take your rubbish with you instead of littering in the wild.

Paths and the like are there for a reason. When you step away from marked paths, you may end up destroying the local biodiversity, e.g. by stepping on and destroying plants or by disturbing wildlife hiding in the area.

Many national parks also charge a fee to visit. This may be frustrating, but the money usually goes to the conservation and maintenance of the park and helps to ensure that nature persists and that we also have the opportunity to visit it in the future.

8. Respect the wildlife

Experience wildlife in its natural environment and avoid attractions that exploit animals, e.g. in shows or riding wild animals.

This contributes to ethical and sustainable tourism that respects the welfare and natural behaviour of animals.

Choose a travel agency that focuses on experiencing the animals in their natural surroundings. You can, for example, look at World Animal Protection’s list of animal-friendly travel companies, i.e. companies that have said no to all entertainment involving wild animals in captivity.

9. Familiarise yourself with local customs and traditions

By understanding and respecting local customs and traditions, you show respect for the communities you visit. If you respect the traditions, you also help to ensure that the locals do not have to adapt to the visitors, and that they can thus maintain their customs and traditions.

This might, for example, be dressing appropriately if the culture you’re visiting is of a particular religious persuasion, or learning a few phrases of the local language. It’s also a good idea to always ask first before taking photos of local groups or be aware of whether photography is allowed at all where you are.

With very little effort, you can improve your travel experience and build bridges between cultures.

10. Choose a responsible tour operator

Support tour operators who have a sustainability policy and are focused on engaging in more responsible tourism.

These companies work towards implementing practices that reduce negative environmental and social impacts while promoting positive contributions to local communities.

Check their sustainability initiatives before you book to ensure your tour supports responsible practices.

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller