Travel Advice & Information play a crucial role for new travelers or those unable to travel frequently. Sometimes, a lack of knowledge can hinder vacation experiences. We are here to assist you in every possible way. The more informed you are, the better your vacation can be. Feel free to ask questions about our topics or suggest new ones for us to cover.
Sustainable Travel Advice and Information
What is sustainable travel, you ask? According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sustainable tourism is: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.” It aims at minimizing the negative impacts and maximizing the positive effects of tourism.
Best Practices for Sustainable Travel.
Staying in green lodgings: eco-friendly lodgings focus on preserving the environment, leaving positive environmental effects. This also supports the local economy. Properties that support sustainable tourism accommodations should meet most of the criteria below:
- 100% Renewable Energy,
- Organic or Local Food,
- Car-Free Accessibility,
- Ecological Cleaning Products,
- More than 80% Waste waste is recycled,
- Green building,
- Energy-saving lights,
- Solar thermal panels for hot water,
- Water flow reducers,
- Recovery and reuse of rainwater
Utilizing natural resources efficiently preserves natural heritage and biodiversity. Chiefly, the primary issue is that the use of natural resources outpaces their capacity for renewal. Contrarily, this leads to climate change and a reduction in biodiversity. In this context, the ecological footprint serves as a metric that can quantify the environmental consequences arising from the overexploitation of these resources.
Taking public transportation. Furthermore, using communal transit options reduces air pollution and improves road congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road; thus, less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Also, with fewer vehicles on the road, there are not so many traffic jams.
We Can Learn From People We Don’t Know
Honoring the traditions of indigenous populations. Engaging with local residents is one of the most enriching aspects of sustainable tourism. Especially safeguarding cultural practices handed down through the ages. Undeniably, honoring these traditions is crucial, as they shape the unique character of the community and foster a bond of solidarity among its members.
Purchasing from and bolstering neighborhood enterprises. Not only does this empower the local economy, but local products do not involve so much transportation, require less packaging, and create more jobs.
Embracing leisurely journeys. Traveling slowly allows a traveler to stop and smell the roses, or at least enjoy the scenery along the way. Usually, it means taking a form of transportation that reduces the ecological impact and is usually less expensive.
Rejecting disposable plastic items. Manufacturing plastic relies on fossil fuels, which leads to the emission of carbon dioxide, exacerbating climate change. Moreover, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic are deposited into the oceans annually (according to National Geographic), posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems.
Consuming regional cuisine. Whenever your travels take you across the globe, you have the opportunity to benefit local vendors, agriculturists, and even yourself by choosing to patronize local markets and businesses. Opting for the local farmers’ markets or dining at a community-owned restaurant rather than a large franchise can bolster the local economy, aid small enterprises, and contribute to improving the world at large.
In Conclusion to Sustainable Travel Advice and Information.
Indeed, journeys can have a profoundly beneficial influence on the world, transcending the simple pleasures of exploring unfamiliar destinations, accumulating fresh experiences, and valuing the customs and habits of different cultures. Travel serves as a channel for gaining insight into the lifestyles of people around the planet and sharing these enlightening experiences with loved ones, potentially inspiring them as well.