A Comprehensive, Stress-Free Guide to Eco-Friendly Vacations

The global tourism industry is booming, with more travelers crossing borders to spend their holidays. But as it grows, so do its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which directly contribute to global warming and climate change. As travelers, you can do your part to reduce these emissions by taking eco-friendly vacations. However, it sounds easier in theory than in reality.

Many wonder where to start being an environmentally-conscious tourist and how to continue being one. Check out our comprehensive guide to ensuring your well-deserved holiday trips are sustainable: 

Destination

Destination might be your first decision when you want to vacation. Eco-tourism has become popular in recent years, with 41% of travelers willing to pay 30% more for eco-tourism. Instead of choosing what comes first to your mind, you can do some research and pick an eco-friendly place. 

Choose green destinations that are committed to fighting global warming. Examples include Sweden, Finland and Austria. Cities dedicated to reaching their net zero goal are Melbourne, Madrid and Munich. If looking at local and regional destinations, opt for Toronto and Las Vegas because these are sustainable cities.

Avoid viral or trending destinations. These places are usually overcrowded, causing overconsumption and subsequent wastage of natural resources like water. You can contribute to the local tourism economy by choosing places with fewer visitors and enjoying your holiday without the crowd.

Other than their eco-friendliness, some locations also focus on protecting their natural flora and fauna, such as the safaris in Zimbabwe and forests in Borneo. You can opt for these places to get an immersive experience with the wildlife assisted by a local tour guide. 

Food

Americans waste 92 billion pounds of food, equating to 145 billion meals every year. Food loss and waste account for 10% of global GHG emissions, almost five times the aviation industry’s emissions. Your choices during vacations can help to alleviate your contribution to these GHG emissions. 

Hotels usually offer buffet services, but these can end up as waste. About 108 billion pounds of buffet food is wasted in the U.S. Research also found that food ordered a la carte was usually finished, but buffet food made to serve 60 had only 20 people consuming it, with the remaining going to waste. Choose a la carte food when you stay in a hotel next time — this would make a statement to hotel owners to reduce their food wastage.

In addition, choose restaurants that practice ethical and sustainable food processes. If you are a meat eater, avoid shops that offer meat from endangered animals or menus with unethical ingredients, like shark fin soup or foie gras, which have animal cruelty practices. Going vegetarian during your trips is healthy and also cost-effective. 

You could also opt for local food when you’re on vacation. This food would have a lesser carbon footprint as it is sourced locally and would help contribute to the local economy. For example, Southeast Asia’s staple food is rice, so you can ensure your diet includes them. 

Itinerary

To stay, choose places that are eco-friendly or make conscious efforts to prioritize sustainability. For example, a hotel that runs on renewable energy or uses recycled water. This allows the hotel to provide responsible services while saving energy consumption. You could look for hotels with eco-certifications or read reviews to learn about their practices. 

Check out local green activities like hiking, cycling, nature trails, wildlife sanctuary tours and yoga in the park. These activities are eco-friendly and do not emit significant GHG emissions. You could also learn about the local community and culture via these tours. Volunteering for green projects like beach clean-ups for forest habitat conservation is also a great activity to ensure an eco-friendly vacation. 

Travel

The aviation industry is responsible for 2.5% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. However, it has contributed to 4% of global warming to date. Avoiding flights can make your travels environmentally sustainable. If you’re traveling by flight, choose planes that use biofuels and reduce your GHG emissions by opting for e-tickets. You could also opt for the most direct route instead of taking those with layovers to minimize carbon emissions. 

Choose destinations with various travel options, such as buses, cars or motorcycles, to give yourself a choice. You could make a road trip out of it and create memorable moments with your travel partners. 

If you rent a car during your trip, choose electric vehicles for better energy efficiency. You could also travel using local transportation, which enables you to learn more about the locals and their lives. Alternatively, consider renting bicycles or walking around to explore the place more efficiently.

Packing

Your packing style has direct consequences for the planet. Plastic contributes to 1.8 billion tons of emissions from production to disposal, about 3.3% of global emissions. In addition, less than 6% of plastic items are recycled in the U.S., meaning most of these items end up in landfills as waste.

Many travel-size items, such as lotions, moisturizers, shampoo and body wash, are packaged in plastic containers. Travelers usually buy these for fear of not being able to find the brand at their destination. To avoid this, get the usual size you purchase and take it with you. Alternatively, you could also get refill packs and recycle your existing containers. 

Check your skincare items and ensure they are eco-friendly. Many sunscreen brands contain toxic elements like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can harm the skin and cause coral bleaching. Even those labeled eco-friendly or reef-friendly could have harmful chemicals in them. Go for mineral-based sunscreens with only titanium oxide or zinc oxide as their active ingredients. 

You could also bring your own utensils and containers to reuse and recycle. For example, you could bring items like cutlery, food containers, toothbrushes, thermos mugs and water bottles from home to reduce your plastic usage. 

The plane’s weight affects its fuel consumption and, subsequently, its GHG emissions. You could introduce efficient packing during your travels by bringing more multipurpose clothes and forgoing physical books for e-books. 

Eco-Friendly Vacations are the Future of Sustainable Travels

By choosing to go the green way in your travels, you contribute to reducing pollution, carbon emissions and global warming. Your decisions could significantly impact the planet and ensure a greener future for the next generations.