How do you travel sustainably?
ALOHA (FUTURE) SUSTAINABLE TRAVELERS,
Today's blog post will be all about sustainable travel, but what does that actually mean? It refers to a respectful way of traveling that can be maintained (as long as possible!), is sustainable and does not harm your natural or cultural environment. Sustainable travel is a growing movement, and once you read more about it, you'll find it's easier - and more fun! - is more than it might sound at first. You might even recognize a few things you're already doing right!
We all love to travel, but what we don't like is negativity or restrictions. So when we look at sustainable travel, it is important to focus on the positive aspects and discover the benefits that sustainable travel offers.
Our art director Janine and I are sure that we will convince you to at least consider one or more sustainable travel options for your next vacation!
The beautiful art director Janine and her beautiful glamping setup
CHOOSE YOUR METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION
The first thing we think about is the destination (where do we want to go?), but we should always ask ourselves: "How do we get there?" Different modes of transportation have different environmental costs, and we all know that air travel is the worst mode of transportation when it comes to harming our environment. Next time you're on vacation, see if there's a train or bus that can get you there, it might even save you some time or money in the long run (I'm talking about getting to the airport before departure time, waiting times, etc.). If there is no other way for you to get to your dream destination, make sure to offset your emissions - it's more affordable than you might think!
PLAN YOUR STAY
There are three pillars that make up the term sustainability: a social pillar, an environmental pillar and an economic pillar. While the environmental pillar is pretty obvious and is also the first one we think of when we hear sustainability, the other two pillars are just as important as they all have a big impact on each other. Of course, we not only want to keep our environment as long and as healthy as possible, but also the well-being of countries, communities and organizations. The economic pillar forms the third pillar due to its immense importance and impact on the other two pillars and therefore also deserves a place.
When planning your stay, you should consider all three pillars: find an apartment or an eco-hotel instead of a chain hotel that supports the local economy instead of destroying it - or go camping like our art director Janine! Research the region you want to stay in and learn about the infrastructure, poverty, dos and don'ts and more to decide on the best option.
SUPPORT SMALL, LOCAL BUSINESSES
For me, the most charming places I visited were as original as they could be, and supporting small and local businesses has a huge impact on the development of a place. Whether it's art galleries, local shops or restaurants, by looking for non-touristy (or less touristy) places, I'm sure you'll find some secret spots or hidden gems that will make your vacation a unique experience (and save you money on your next trip).
LEAVE PLACES BETTER THAN YOU FOUND THEM
We all know the very famous (and great) quote: Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos, and it is one of my strictest rules when I travel myself. As beautiful and tempting as a seashell may look on the beach, leave it there because even though it's just a tiny part of the ecosystem, it's still a part of it. However, what you can take with you is rubbish! Collecting plastic in a beach cleanup project is also enlightening as you will very soon discover everyday items, and it also shows you that a clean beach may not even be that clean if you look closely. The feeling of clearing a beautiful place of trash is extremely rewarding, try it! The responsibility to raise awareness and preserve our beloved Earth lies with all of us.
Happy sustainable travel everyone!
Kind regards,
Lauri
