By Ashley V.
We have spent the last few blog posts dissecting the ins and outs of travel. Now, we bring together everything so that we can travel more mindfully and make choices that will benefit the planet, ourselves, and other communities. Here are a few key takeaways that we hope you keep in mind when planning your next trip.
Hold on to your Eco Habits
Many people think that vacations are a time to cut back and relax, and they are. However, that doesn’t mean we still can’t recycle plastic water bottles, pick up litter, or reduce our food waste as much as possible. Wherever you travel to, leave it better than you found it. When we travel, we are joining communities all over the world, and it is our job to support them just as much as they support us in our efforts to unwind and relax on vacation.
Consider Regenerative Travel
Regenerative travel is sustainable travel on steroids. Just kidding, but in all honesty, regenerative travel is the concept of making a concerted effort to better the local economy, environment, and people in a fair and equitable way for everyone. Regenerative Travel is a collection of hotels actively trying to advance local efforts that enable people, nature, and culture to thrive. The moral of this story is that you should select hotels, activities, excursions that align with your values and do more good than harm in their respective communities.
Consider your Carbon Footprint
We all emit carbon during our daily lives. The way our society is structured, we just can’t help it. However, when we go on vacation, we can choose to leave our carbon-intense lives behind and visit/stay in places that have lower carbon footprints. For example, when someone from the US stays at an eco-resort in Costa Rica. While on vacation, the resort itself has a lower carbon footprint than if they had stayed at home, so depending on the length of stay, you could significantly reduce your carbon footprint. This is something to consider if you are like me, who is concerned about carbon emissions but is still very interested in traveling. Another thing you could consider is lengthening your stay because that would reduce your transportation emissions over a longer period.
Credo of the Peaceful Traveler
From the International Institute for Peace through Tourism comes the Credo of the peaceful traveler. Just something important to keep in mind when traveling.
Grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world and because peace begins with the individual, I affirm my personal responsibility and commitment to:
Journey with an open mind and gentle heart
Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter
Revere and protect the natural environment which sustains all life
Appreciate all cultures I discover
Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome
Offer my hand in friendship to everyone I meet
Support travel services that share these views and act upon them and,
By my spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace.
International Institution for Peace through tourism
We hope this sparked some thoughts next time you decide to go on a trip. Just remember, whether you choose to travel or not, everyone is on their own sustainable journey, and you have to make the choices that are best for you and your family.
Resources:
Sustainable Saplings 