Practical Steps Towards More Sustainable Tourism
Traveling the world comes with an environmental cost. Not only do we need to think about the emissions that spill from the back of a commercial jet, but also the subtler impact that comes from having hordes of people trample through what might be a delicate environment.
Overtourism is something that’s blighted the world’s most iconic sites, ranging from Machu Picchu to Niagra Falls. So, what can we do to limit the social and environmental impact on the places we visit?
Choosing Greener Transportation Options
If you want to stay green, then cutting out air travel entirely is a great way to do it. If you absolutely must fly, then direct flights are always preferable to multiple legs. If you can make the same holiday work with the help of buses, trains, and taxis, then it might be far greener. For this reason, long trips across Europe, with its sophisticated rail network, might be a great option. If you can get there by boat, then so much the better.
Supporting Local Communities and Businesses
When you pay for local services, guides, and restaurants, you help to sustain the local economy. The people who live closest to the things that you’re enjoying are often best positioned to preserve them, and so it’s always worth supporting them. This preference will help to keep exploitative forces away, and to ensure that the place in question is worth visiting in the future.
Mindful Activities and Experiences
Often, some of the best experiences we can have are those that don’t involve any pollution at all. Here, we’re talking about walks through nature, cultural workshops, and tours of the local wilderness. Stick to reputable providers of hiking tours, and abide by Leave No Trace principles. If you generate trash, take it with you.
Reducing Waste and Conserving Resources
There are a number of things you can do to make it easier to leave no trace. These include taking reusable items. If you don’t want to create plastic waste, then a metal canteen for water might be worthwhile. Quality bags and utensils might also help you to avoid single-use plastics while you’re on the road. The same goes for plastic straws – if you have a metal one to hand, then you’ll avoid the need for plastic entirely.
Looking Forward to a Greener Future
It’s worth noting that sustainable travel amounts to more of a checklist. It’s a change in philosophy and outlook. Ideally, we’d arrive at a way of doing things that’s entrenched in our culture. Just as it might feel odd to start a car journey without buckling up, we might imagine throwing trash into a bush to be just as unthinkable.
