• By Karen Morian

  According to research by Booking.com, 76% of travelers say they want to travel more sustainably, but many travelers don’t know where to begin. Servas members can be part of the solution by adopting more responsible travel habits. By rethinking the way we travel, we can collectively create a future where travel protects and respects our planet and its cultures. Read on to discover our top five tips for eco-friendly travel. 

Use more efficient modes of transportation - there are many ways that you can reduce the carbon emissions produced by your trip. Air travel, driving, and other forms of transportation make up the largest part of tourism’s carbon footprint. Though all modes of transportation require energy, some are more efficient and cleaner than others. How you get to/from and around your destination makes a difference.

In general, planes and cars tend to be the least efficient modes of transportation. Book the least number of connecting flights possible, as each take-off and landing produces more carbon emissions. Once you’re at your destination, consider taking the bus, traveling by rail, or cycling around town instead of renting a car. If you do rent a car, opt for an electric, hybrid, or smaller model.

Get off the beaten path - As a traveler, you can help prevent a resurgence of overtourism by skipping tourist hotspots and getting off the beaten path. While it may be tempting to go to the same bucket list destinations everyone does, it can be even more rewarding to explore less traversed places. Getting off the beaten path allows you to have a more unique and authentic experience, visiting hosts who Want More Travelers, while avoiding the crowds.

Avoid single-use plastics - Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans. This is equivalent to one garbage truck full of plastic being dumped into the ocean every single minute of every single day. One of the most common plastic items used by travelers is single-use beverage bottles. Luckily, there’s a simple solution: bring your own reusable water bottle on your trip! If you’re worried about the water quality at the destination you’re visiting, bring a water bottle with a built-in purifier. Refillable toiletry bottles are another eco-friendly item to add to your packing list. Buying drinks in cans and glass bottles also reduces plastics.

Offset your carbon footprint - Some carbon emissions are unavoidable. You can compensate for these greenhouse gas emissions through a process known as “carbon offsetting.” Carbon offsetting allows you to balance out the carbon footprint of your trip, by reducing emissions somewhere else in the world. Just calculate your carbon footprint using an online carbon calculator, then purchase offsets equivalent to the amount of CO2 you produced. The money from your offset purchase will be invested in projects that reduce carbon and other greenhouse gases. For instance, one project may protect a tropical rainforest from being cut down, while another might build a wind farm or convert cow manure into energy. Carbon offset projects can also create benefits that go beyond emissions reductions, such as creating local jobs, improving sanitation, or conserving endangered species. When offsetting your footprint, just be sure to go through a reputable provider to ensure you’re creating the greatest impact.

Support Local Communities - The best way to ensure host communities reap the benefits of visitors is by supporting local businesses, like staying in locally owned guesthouses rather than international chains and dining at local restaurants, savoring traditional dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. You can help promote the equitable distribution of wealth by patronizing businesses that are owned or managed by marginalized groups such as women, indigenous populations, or minorities.Get out of your comfort zone and have some fun navigating local markets. Book excursions led by local guides or learn a new skill from a local expert.

One of the incredible things about travel is that it offers a glimpse into other traditions, beliefs, and ways of life. Seize this opportunity to expand your horizons by embracing the differences and soaking up the local culture. Begin immersing yourself in other cultures by reading up on the local history, traditions, and etiquette before visiting.

And, finally, consider making a contribution to a local charity that empowers people through skills development, education, micro-loans, or access to social services.

To learn more, watch the online webinars from Sustainable Travel:

https://sustainabletravel.org/road-to-net-zero-webinar-series/