Sustainable travel: 13 ways to be a better tourist right now

Many countries and cities are gallantly reducing their carbon emissions. Costa Rica is a prime example, with 30 percent of this biodiverse country declared a conservation zone. The tourism scene in Aberdeenshire, Scotland is expertly driven by community-based tourism businesses, while Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, has come up with one of Europe’s most impressive sustainable travel initiatives, CopenHill: a city-centre ski, snowboard and hiking slope that transforms waste into energy to power tens of thousands of homes and businesses. Plus, more than two-thirds of the city’s hotels have implemented impactful sustainability policies, such as running off renewable energy and reducing waste to landfill.

Recommended: The world’s best sustainable tourism destinations

With aviation contributing to around 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions, there has never been a more important time to embrace the great overland journey. Cross-continental and domestic travel by train and bus can add tremendous adventure to your holiday and is especially fun for kids. Going long-haul? Take-offs and landings are the worst for emissions – so fly non-stop where possible. Some airlines, including Cathay Pacific, are investing in energy-efficient aircraft and biofuels, while KLM has replaced old 747 planes that guzzle fuel with twin-jet aircraft. While these are positive changes within the industry, flying less and opting for the train is a far more impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint. 

Unfortunately, it’s easy to stick an ‘eco’ logo on a website without having the policies to back it up, but genuine environmentally-aware businesses will proudly discuss their procedures online. Book into resorts, hotels and guesthouses that maintain such measures. If you’re unsure of their stance, there is no harm in asking. Some questions to consider are: Have they plugged into renewable energy resources? Do they have a management system to reduce food waste? Do they source produce from local farmers or grow their own food? Do they regularly give back through community events and hire local workers?

Being culturally aware not only shows respect for the people welcoming us, but it also makes the experience of travel far more interactive and fun. Spending time with those who know the place most will help you get beneath the surface of a destination. Local guides have the in-depth knowledge and understanding of a region’s history, its traditions and evolving culture to share incredible insights – from customs and cultural highlights to the best bars and restaurants that the locals love too. You’ll gain great intel that many visitors miss.

If you’re planning to spend most of your time at the beach or in the sea, invest in reef-friendly sunscreen. Ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are harmful to marine life, so it’s important to choose chemical-free products that protect your skin and look after the ocean. Organii SPF 50 Sun Milk, Green People’s scent-free range and Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Nourishing Milk SPF30 are great examples. Filling a set of reusable containers with shampoos, conditioners and moisturisers from home will prevent the need for single-use plastics.

While it can be tempting to embark on a pre-holiday shopping spree, fast fashion is one of the greatest pollution and climate dilemmas we face. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, 73 percent of clothes produced worldwide end up as landfill. If possible, pack clothing you already own. If you buy clothes you don’t intend to wear again, keep them in a good condition and give them to a local clothes bank, or sign up for Thrift Plus, a secondhand clothing marketplace that donates earnings to a charity of your choice. 

The best way to show appreciation for the place you visit is to be respectful of their way of life. Before you go, spend time researching the history and culture – acknowledging both the positive and negative. When visiting religious buildings, dress appropriately – many places require visitors to cover their shoulders and above the knees. It’s also worth researching the dates to be aware of any big events taking place during your stay. For example, in parts of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Middle East, most restaurants – outside of tourist hubs – will close during the day during the month of Ramadan, while locals are fasting.

Eating local produce, that is in season, not only supports a more sustainable food industry but also invests in small businesses. This is one of the best ways to be sustainable on holiday. Delve into the array of regional food on offer and enjoy fresh produce. Go to farmers’ markets, book farm-to-table restaurants or eat in-house at wineries and farm-cafés – even experiment with fruits and veg you’ve never seen before. Give your custom to the establishments that support local farmers, grow their own crops and buy seafood from fishermen using pole and line methods.

Wildlife experiences done right can be mind-blowing, bucket-list stuff. The key is to organise your trip with a trained wildlife expert who knows the local habitats and puts the welfare of the animals first. Ask operators about their wildlife safety methods and when out on safari, try not to pressure your driver into getting you closer. Learning about animal behaviour and physiology can be the most fun part of the experience. By encouraging and supporting the tour guides who care for wildlife and the environment, you are helping to preserve those experiences for generations to come.

There’s no better way to say ‘thank you’ than by supporting local businesses. After all, these are the people directly impacted by tourism. This means seeking out and shopping at markets, booking into family-run restaurants and staying in guesthouses and B&Bs rather than big chain hotels. If possible, avoid large shopping centres, government-run establishments and the coffee shops found all over the world – they have plenty of investment rolling in already. In buying from local companies, your money will be going back to the community that’s hosting you.

Reducing carbon emissions is something we must all consider – and finding alternative ways of exploring cities and regions is a great place to start. Walking tours are hugely popular in Britain – check out these highlights in Pembrokeshire, Edinburgh and London – while many traffic-safe European cities, including Alesünd, Avignon, Budapest, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Helsinki, encourage visitors to sightsee on a bike.

Traveller hubs are often packed with souvenir stores selling wonderful, colourful gifts and keepsakes – but more often than not, those products are made en masse and by people working maximum hours for minimum pay. Instead, choose to buy from artisan markets, where local artists are celebrated and can proudly put their art, crafts and design work on display. This way you know you are getting genuine produce and that the artist is being paid directly. Don’t purchase animal products, regardless of their significance to the area, as it only encourages the view that animals can be used for money-making ventures.