How Green Tourism Is Changing the Way We Travel- A Guide to Sustainable Adventures

As someone who has traveled a lot for more than seven years, I can say that green tourism is changing the way we see the world. From eco-lodges to programs that offset carbon emissions, environmentally friendly travel is becoming more common. Read below about “How Green Tourism Is Changing the Way We Travel- A Guide to Sustainable Adventures”.

We’re more aware than ever of how our travels affect the earth. We want experiences that are both engaging and moral. The good news is that you can satisfy your wanderlust without leaving behind a lot of pollution. This is how green tourism is changing the way people travel.

Picking Eco-Friendly Places to Stay

No longer can you only stay at huge big hotels that don’t always do the right thing for the environment. These days, you can stay at eco-lodges and hotels that have been approved green for a guilt-free glamping trip.

One example is the lovely Pikaia Lodge in the Galapagos Islands, where I just got back from a trip. This Relais & Chateaux location only uses clean energy and rainwater that has been collected and used before. The buildings fit in with the natural surroundings and don’t bother the animals that live there too much.

From South Africa to Costa Rica, there are more and more eco-friendly places to stay. B Eco Hotels of the World and other companies make it easy to find eco-friendly places to stay all over the world. Just look for labels like “Green Globe” or eco-friendly hotel chains like “1 Hotels.”

Going on Eco-Tours and Other Activities

The real trip starts once you’ve found a green place to stay. Find tour companies and activity providers that put an emphasis on low-impact activities.

I recently went to Antarctica and chose to sail with a company that specialized in expeditions driven by electricity. This let us travel around the White Continent without making too much noise or smog. We got close to beautiful icebergs and penguin nests in a way that didn’t hurt the environment.

Ecotourism also helps the people who live in the area. I went on an educational tour of how rice paper and textiles are made in rural Vietnam when I was there. The tour was led by former street kids. Their social business helps people who are in danger learn new skills.

There are now eco-friendly versions of popular sports like zip-lining and snorkeling. You only need to do a little digging to find people you can trust. Get all about “How Green Tourism Is Changing the Way We Travel- A Guide to Sustainable Adventures.

Using Public Transport to Reduce Your Footprint

Taking buses, trains, boats, and other forms of public transportation instead of flying or driving is one of the best ways to cut down on your carbon footprint. This saves you money and lets you enjoy the area.

My husband and I chose to take the train through the Alps in Switzerland. This was not only more beautiful than hiring a car, it was also better for the earth. We were able to enjoy the beautiful mountain views from the window without having to worry about driving.

Use the park shuttles to get around when you’re in a national park. The shuttle bus keeps Zion National Park in Utah from getting too crowded and helps protect the fragile ecosystem of the canyon. Travelers and the earth will both benefit.

Eco-Friendly Packing

What you bring on your trip can also affect the environment. A lot of progress has been made in bringing less and staying away from single-use plastics.

I stopped using single-use shampoo bottles and started using shampoo bars instead. I also bring my own reusable spoon, straw, and coffee cup. It’s also eco-friendly sunscreen that won’t hurt the seas.

Fashion has less of an effect on the earth when people wear clothes made from eco-friendly materials like bamboo rayon and recycled polyester. Outside companies that use eco-friendly materials are great, like Toad&Co.

Some changes need to be made to the way you pack, but it’s worth it to cut down on waste. Tip: To avoid using mini plastics, look for places that have toiletries that can be used again and again.

Offsetting Carbon Emissions

Even if you plan the most environmentally friendly trip, you will still produce some carbon emissions. How to solve it? Carbon offsetting your trip.

Using an airline or travel company that offers carbon offsetting through certified environmental projects is a good way to balance out the pollution that comes from your flights and other travel.

When I book a tour with Intrepid Travel, for example, I can choose to offset the emissions from my trip by giving to one of their Planet Purposes projects that supports green energy.

You can also figure out your trip carbon footprint and find ways to offset it with tools like Cool Effect and Terrapass. Putting money into projects like protecting forests, using green energy, and others can balance out the emissions that are made.

How to Eat Local Food in a Sustainable Way

One of my favorite things about traveling is trying real food from the area. The good news is that cooking lessons and food tours can easily be done in an eco-friendly way.

Look for dining experiences that use ingredients from nearby farms and shops to support the community. This helps local farmers make a living and cuts down on food miles.

I went on a tour of organic coffee and spice farms in Bali that used sustainable farming methods. We learned about their work to restore rainforests and share information about how to farm with native plants and animals.

Some of my favorite meals have been at places that focus on using fresh, local food. It’s a tasty way to get a feel for the place you’re going.

Giving Back to Local Conservation Efforts

One powerful way to travel in a way that doesn’t harm the earth is to help environmental causes while you’re away. Look for vacations where you can help or that focus on conservation.

I worked as a volunteer at a sea turtle nesting area in Costa Rica for a week. When my husband and I cruised the beaches at night, we saw turtle hatchlings. Poachers were scared off by our appearance.

Together with the local rangers, it was very satisfying to work. So much was taught to us about how to keep these animals safe.

A lot of eco-lodges now have programs where you can help with planting trees, cleaning, and other good causes. Giving back makes sure that your trips leave a good impression.

Last Words on Green Tourism

Since I travel a lot, I’m glad that more eco-friendly choices are coming out that let me see the world with less damage. We can all see beautiful places while also taking care of the environment if we plan ahead.

Small steps, like choosing eco-friendly places to stay and offsetting pollution, add up to big changes over time. Always choose local companies that help their neighborhoods when you’re not sure what to do.

A lot of the time, green travel gives you a more real experience. You get to know nature and the people who live in a place very well. That’s something that will stay with you after you get back.

Travel should be used to learn about other cultures, protect the earth, and give people in communities more power than ever before. As long as it’s done right, sustainable travel can change lives, even yours. Let’s discover with awareness. I hope you get all “How Green Tourism Is Changing the Way We Travel- A Guide to Sustainable Adventures”.