What does travel have to do with protecting our planet? A lot, actually.
What is sustainable travel?
Although the topic can be overwhelming for beginners, the definition of sustainable travel is really very simple: It means minimizing your negative impact while maximizing your positive impact while traveling in a destination. While many people think of the environment when they hear the word sustainability, tourism impacts the local people in the place you’re visiting through their economy and culture. Sustainable practices can be applied to every type of travel and every trip.
Can travel be 100% sustainable, completely green and eco-friendly, with zero negative impact? No. But the positives can outweigh the negatives. Ten percent of the global population is employed in tourism and hospitality, so traveling supports economies. Traveling can also educate and create empathy, and turn everyday people in advocates and philanthropists.
As a traveler you are powerful
I want you to feel inspired, informed, and empowered to explore in a way that positively impacts the planet while also having the time of your life. Many people don’t realize that they can help can create more equitable distribution of wealth across the globe and support environmental conservation just through the choices they make when planning a trip. Traveling mindfully also doesn’t have to mean sacrificing priorities like fun, relaxation, adventure, luxury, and spontaneity.
There are some DON’TS to be aware of when traveling, certainly, but there are many more DOs to consider. Doing things like going on a safari, taking a cooking class, hiring a guide for a challenging hike – these activities can have lasting positive impacts on the place you visit.
The role of sustainability in redefining luxury travel
For many people, luxury travel in the traditional sense looks like staying the world’s best 5-star hotels, flying by private jet, the best views and the best food in the planet’s postcard-perfect popular destinations. But luxury has also grown to mean access to places, people, and experiences that are special and unique. Let’s further redefine luxury to include intention.
My commitment to sustainability
As a traveler, and in my everyday life, I am not perfect. I am not a vegan (though I do limit the meat and dairy I eat). I don’t live completely waste free (but I do avoid single-use plastics whenever possible). I have made mistakes while traveling over the years that make me cringe now. But I have learned from them. The saying goes that “perfection is the enemy of progress,” and this can be applied to sustainability in everything from fashion to food to travel.
My goal is to incorporate tips and resources into all of the content that I share. Destination guides, stories, and packing lists have notes on how to be mindful of impact (both positive and negative).
Sustainable travel resources and ways to get involved (even when you’re not traveling!)
Education is the first step in applying sustainable practices to travel. Planning and booking a trip through an educated travel advisor (like me!) who can advise you on the more sustainable and impactful activities and accommodations in your chosen destination is also a good way to ensure you’re making a positive rather than negative impact while traveling. Start with my suggestions for easy sustainable travel tips.
Impact Travel Alliance
I may be biased because I’ve been part of the global team at Impact Travel Alliance since 2017. ITA is a community and 501(c)3 non-profit creates content that educates travelers on how to travel more sustainably through articles and events, and through 20+ worldwide local chapters and a strong media network. Read more about what sustainable travel is (a concise version!), how to be a sustainable traveler in times of crisis – like during the Covid-19 pandemic – written by yours truly, how to support diversity in travel, and much more through our stories and events. Not sure where to start? Join our Facebook group.
Tomorrow’s Air
Tomorrow’s air is an organization committed to helping travelers reduce their carbon footprint through a technology known as carbon storage. It’s different than offsetting carbon through initiatives like planting trees, with a vision toward longer term impact.
National Geographic
Online publication NatGeo has a pretty good longer form article about how to be a more sustainable traveler organized into sections like shopping, transportation, accommodations, and more.