10 Ways To Ease Into Being A Sustainable Traveler Right Now

Small decisions add up to a big impact! This is how travelers can start living more sustainably today to support eco-tourism right now.

Being a sustainable traveler can have many meanings, but at the core of the concept is putting the environment and the destination first. So the question becomes, how can travelers reduce their environmental impact in a few easy steps?

Fortunately, all it takes to have a positive effect on the planet is for everyone to do a little bit – collectively it goes a long way. Here are simple ways that travelers can ease into eco-tourism right now and be sustainable travelers.

Carbon emissions from airplanes are one of the biggest ways that travelers contribute to pollution. While programs for offsetting carbon emissions exist, the reality is that taking flights frequently increases a person’s carbon footprint.

There are a few ways to reduce carbon emissions from flights. One option is to travel by train or public transit overland instead of hopping on a short flight. If travelers have the option to drive instead of fly, they may want to carpool with other people to reduce the amount of CO2 per passenger.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Eco-Tourism Destinations To Visit In New York (& What To Do There)

Travelers don’t have to take immense steps to have an impact – they can start by reducing the weight of their carry-on or checked baggage.

A study from 2010 found that only 16% of travelers use everything they pack in their luggage. If everyone reduced their luggage capacity by 25% (since they aren’t using a quarter of what they pack anyway), the airline industry could reduce 7,537 fewer tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Making sustainable and eco-conscious choices starts during the booking process. Travelers can start living more sustainably right now by considering what excursions they are booking, which hotels they book, and what the tour company values.

Booking with an eco-friendly hotel or tour operator means they are actively monitoring their environmental impact and your money goes towards supporting that initiative.

Related: 10 Most Beautiful Eco-Tourism Destinations In California (And What to Do There)

Over-tourism is a significant issue in the travel industry today, and its impact on the environment is undeniable. Many destinations around the world, like Boracay or Venice, have imposed restrictions and taxes on tourists to limit the number of people visiting annually.

By avoiding destinations affected by mass tourism and opting to get off the beaten path, travelers are acknowledging the problem and doing their best to be part of the solution. Avoiding overcrowded destinations gives them a chance to recover from the damage done by tourism.

A sustainable travel kit is a great starting step towards being a more eco-conscious traveler. A sustainable travel kit can contain items like bar soap, a reusable water bottle, or a stainless steel straw.

According to a study from 2021, the average tourist produces 1.67 kg of waste. If all travelers invested in a sustainable travel kit, this amount could be reduced.

Slow travel gained popularity in 2021 when countries slowly reopened to international tourists with some entrance restrictions. Because it was more difficult to enter countries (some requiring a quarantine period) travelers simply spent more time exploring a single destination.

This concept not only helps a person dive deeper into a culture but also benefits the environment.

Travelers who spend more time in a single destination rather than hopping between cities or countries are producing less carbon emissions over the course of their trip.

Being a sustainable traveler doesn’t start with a trip but with a lifestyle. Travelers can think about their choices in everyday life and what impact they have on the environment based on what they eat, whether they recycle, and whether they are conserving water or energy wherever possible.

By reducing their environmental impact at home, travelers establish a more sustainable lifestyle that translates on the road. Reducing carbon emissions in their day-to-day life can also help offset the CO2 emissions from when they fly or travel.

Energy and water conservation are a critical part of sustainability initiatives, especially in destinations affected by over-tourism. When tourism becomes too much for a destination to handle, local residents are often left short on fresh water and other resources.

Conserving water, such as taking a show instead of running a full bath, while traveling (or even at home) protects a valuable and finite resource of the planet. Using solar chargers and opting for hotels that limit their energy consumption is another way to reduce a person's carbon footprint while traveling.

Education is an important part of a sustainable lifestyle. Travelers can learn about sustainability and the environment by doing online research, watching documentaries, listening to podcasts, and talking to locals while traveling about how tourism is affecting their homeland. All of these outlets can teach people what to be aware of when traveling sustainably.

Understanding how a person’s actions affect the planet and the environment helps them make better-informed choices. When travelers learn about over-tourism, for example, this can help them avoid destinations impacted by this phenomenon on their next trip.

Related: 10 Ways To Sustainably Upgrade Your Summer Camping Adventure

Booking travel with local hotels and tour operators supports businesses and residents of that city or region, rather than putting money towards big corporations.

Travelers can travel more sustainably by investing their money back into local communities through local tour operators and hotels. This allows their funds to directly benefit local ecosystems, conservation projects, and families.

Robynne Trueman is a Canadian writer and traveller. She is always searching for her next destination and loves sharing travel information with others. When she's not writing, you can find her hiking with her dog, practicing yoga, or jet setting somewhere on her bucket list. To view some of her original works, check out her personal blog at www.truemantravels.com.