If you are wondering how to lower your carbon footprint, then the best thing you can do is fly less often for cutting back on emissions. For those who want to see the world, there are ways you can make your trips more sustainable. Traveling eco-friendly is all about making smarter decisions while deciding on every aspect of your trip. It begins with making transportation and accommodation choices to indulging in local experiences. There is a lot you can do to make your vacation eco-friendly. Here are some practical tips you can follow for ensuring eco-friendly travel.
Travel off-beat or during the off-beat season
In recent years, the concept of over-tourism has started straining our ecosystems and infrastructure. this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down in recent years. with travels resuming after the lockdown was lifted, people have started rethinking how they can explore the world. You can be responsible by taking the road less traveled and by exploring under-the-radar spots.
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If you cannot explore the lure of big tourist districts, then you can travel off-peak. If you want to explore the canals of Venice, then consider traveling outside of the summer. There will be fewer people around and the money you spend will assist businesses that struggle outside peak season.
Opt for eco-conscious accommodation
Eco-conscious accommodation has gained a lot of attention in recent years with changing consumer behavior. The industry is now learning what is good for the planet and has started racking eco-credentials. While booking hotels, look for places that promise CO2-neutral stays. Many other places adhere to plastic-free policies strictly.
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These have removed single-use plastics totally from the hospitality industry. AccorHotels group has started funding tree-planting schemes. Choosing hotels that promote and support eco-conscious choices is one of the best ways to travel eco-friendly.
Pack reusable items
The best way to reduce your waste output is by producing less. Packing light and purposefully will help you achieve your goals of traveling eco-friendly. You can also stick to the basics by carrying reusable like water bottles, coffee cups, bamboo or steel straws, and food containers so that you can avoid single-use plastics.
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Carry reusable shopping bags and zero-waste toiletries such as toothpaste tablets and shampoo bars. This will create less waste and you will also not have to worry about aerosols and liquids.
Be wise about choosing your animal experiences
Avoid things that can be threatening to wildlife. Even selfies that seem ‘harmless’ could end up doing much harm to wildlife. Animals are not meant for human entertainment. They need to stay away from human interference as much as possible.
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If you are fond of observing wild animals, then you can visit places where you can watch them in their natural habitat. Opt for places that promise ethical human-animal interactions such as marine conservation volunteer projects and elephant sanctuaries. Be mindful about making any choice.
If you can’t avoid flying, opt for nonstop routes
Flying is likely going to be the most unsustainable aspect of your trip. The aviation industry contributes to 2 percent of global carbon emissions and 80 percent of any vacation’s carbon footprint comes from taking a flight. If you cannot avoid taking a flight, then it is best to fly in economy. Opt for direct flights with no layovers. Direct flights contribute less to carbon dioxide emissions when compared to connecting flights.
Use public transportation
Experts suggest skipping a rental car and instead turning to public transportation. Try to avoid internal flights and take a tour bus or a private car. Try to avoid internal flights, a private car, or a tour bus. There are loads of great human-powered, local-guided tours offered around the town/city by bike, foot, or even a kayak.