What is eco tourism?
Sustainability is a term we increasingly hear. It refers to a way of life where we are conscious of our footprint on the environment and society. It is about creating a good balance between economic growth, social progress, and environmental protection. This way, we ensure that we do not deplete natural resources and see to it that the world remains livable for future generations.
Sustainability can be applied in all aspects of our lives, from the products we use to the way we move around. One of the ways we can promote sustainability is by traveling sustainably. It means that we must travel responsibly, so it conserves the environment and contributes to the local community of your destination.
How can I travel sustainably?
Traveling is a great way to relax and discover new places. But it can also significantly impact the environment and local communities. So it's good that you are looking for ways to make your holiday more sustainable. Traveling in a way that avoids the depletion of natural resources to maintain an ecological balance is about reducing our carbon footprint while traveling (eco tourism). As a hotel, we are committed to eco tourism. We want to help our guests to contribute to a cleaner environment. Fortunately, there are ways to travel sustainably and enjoy your vacation simultaneously. Sustainable travel starts with making conscious choices and reducing your environmental impact. Below are some tips for eco tourism and having a sustainable holiday.
Ten tips for a sustainable holiday
1. Use sustainable transport
Choose sustainable transport. Try to look for transportation to and from your destination that is as eco-friendly as possible. Flying is one of the most polluting ways of traveling. It costs a lot of fuel and causes a lot of greenhouse gas emissions. If you wish to travel sustainably to and at your holiday destination, choose the train, bus, or bicycle. In this way, you significantly reduce your CO2 emissions. In addition, traveling around in trains, buses, and bicycles often gives more depth to your holiday experience because of the unique adventure you are less likely to experience in a rental car.
2. Try to fly more sustainably
As you just read, traveling by plane can significantly impact the environment. Nevertheless, there are ways to make your flight as sustainable as possible.
Opt for a direct flight:
By choosing a direct flight instead of a flight with stopovers, you can reduce the CO2 emissions of your trip. During stopovers, the aircraft consumes additional fuel to take off and land.
Compensate your flight:
Many airlines offer the possibility of compensating for your flight. For example, you can donate money to sustainable projects to compensate for the CO2 emissions of your flight.
Choose an economical airline:
Not all airlines have the same CO2 emissions per passenger per kilometer. However, you can quickly see on the internet which airlines and aircraft are relatively economical friendly and contribute towards eco tourism.
3. Choose a sustainable hotel
Your accommodation choice can significantly impact how sustainable your holiday is. For example, choose an accommodation that uses sustainable energy sources, such as solar energy. As a result, CO2 emissions are much lower than at traditional hotels. Another option is to opt for accommodations that actively work to reduce the ecological footprint, for example, by reducing or recycling waste. Pay attention to whether the hotel has a green quality mark, such as the Travelife Gold status. All-inclusive hotels are not the most sustainable choice for a sustainable holiday. This is mainly due to the excessive use of resources such as water, electricity, and food. All-inclusive hotels are often large, international chains that contribute little to the local economy. This is because they get most of their supplies (and staff) from elsewhere rather than buying locally. In addition, all-inclusive hotels often offer an isolated experience, so travelers miss the opportunity to get to know the local culture and people and the option of sustainable tourism. Some hotels also plant trees for each room night booked via their hotel's website and offer free reef-safe sunscreen for their hotel guests.
4. Avoid disposable plastic
Disposable plastic is a significant problem for the environment. It takes hundreds of years for plastic to decompose completely and causes much pollution in our oceans and rivers. Therefore, avoid disposable plastic when traveling and carry a reusable bottle and bag. Furthermore, when choosing your accommodation and restaurants at the travel destination, note if they use plastic-free items such as straws, plastic cups, plastic bottles, and other single-use items. They may even use recycled coasters. All this helps towards more sustainable tourism.
5. Eat local and seasonal food
Eating local and seasonal food can contribute to the sustainability of your holiday. This is because the food products have to be transported less far and therefore cause lower CO2 emissions. In addition, by eating local food and consuming local brands for drinks, you support the local economy and contribute to sustainable tourism. Local delicacies can even be good for the island's environment. Eating lionfish, for example, has environmental benefits. By consuming these fish, we can help reduce their impact on the local ecosystem.
6. Avoid mass tourism
Mass tourism is a significant problem for the environment and local communities. It causes overpopulation and pollution and can threaten the local culture and natural resources. Therefore, choose accommodations and activities supporting local culture and economy and invest in eco tourism. Also, look for resorts where they mainly work with local employees. The bonus advantage is that locals know their island best and often have the best tips about their island for tourists. You don't have to Google or ask around; ask your waiter or waitress, for example.
7. Respect nature and the local culture
Sustainable travel is not only about reducing your ecological footprint but also about respecting nature and local cultures. For example, please respect the nature reserve rules where you are and take your waste with you instead of leaving it behind on the beach. Also, learn about the local culture and take time to talk to the locals. This way, you broaden your horizons and discover things you do not read in the Lonely Planet. Use local guides to help you find out about the local nature and culture. By doing this, you also support the local economy.
8. See what you can do in return for locals
Pack for a Purpose is a non-profit organization focusing on sustainable tourism and responsible travel. Pack for a Purpose encourages travelers to use extra luggage space to donate supplies to local communities and institutions. Here is how it works: Travelers interested in contributing to local communities can visit the Pack for a Purpose website to see what specific needs there are at the destination they are going to. Based on these needs, they can purchase school supplies, medical supplies, sporting goods, and more and then pack them in their luggage to donate to their destination. By using Pack for a Purpose, travelers can sustainably contribute to the countries they visit.
9. Use water and electricity moderately
In many places in the world, water is a scarce resource. Therefore, use water moderately and do not run the tap unnecessarily. For example, you can take a shorter shower (also when rinsing after your swim) and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. You can also use electricity environmentally consciously by not leaving your air conditioning on 24/7, for example.
10. Shop for souvenirs from local producers
Shop for souvenirs from local producers instead of mass production from other countries. Shopping for those souvenirs supports the local economy and reduces CO2 emissions from transporting goods. You can also shop for souvenirs that come in handy in your hometown. For example, in Curacao, there are stainless steel drink bottles and reusable shopping bags with art as a print of local artists. It's not only fun, but you're also buying fewer things that you might throw away, which is also better for our planet.
Conclusion
There are several ways to make your holiday more sustainable. By following these tips, you can not only enjoy your holiday but also have a positive impact on the environment and the local community. Support the movement of eco tourism and sustainable tourism. It's still possible to start traveling sustainably.
