With global warming and being eco-friendly being more important than ever, holidaymakers are starting to consider how they can input some form of eco-friendliness into their holiday plans. There are a number of different ways that you can go green when it comes to your holiday, from choosing your destination, how you’re travelling there, and how to be a responsible tourist while you are in your chosen country. Here, we’re taking a look at how you can have an eco-friendly holiday!
Choose Your Destination
There are a number of different things that you can consider when it comes to choosing your destination, such as how far you need to travel, whether there are any eco-tourism options where travel companies are helping to support sustainable development, and whether you need to leave your home country for a holiday at all. If you’re based in New Zealand for example, then you might just want to consider hiking out of the city for a day and heading to the beaches to catch some waves. If you’re based in the UK, then you don’t necessarily have to travel all the way to Hawaii, New Zealand or South Africa to take advantage of the best surfing opportunities. You can simply get your e111 renewal and catch some of the best waves Europe has to offer, closer to home.
Travel Options
Choosing how to get to your destination is also important if you’re looking to be an environmentally traveller. Flying is one of the most harmful modes of transport on the planet, so if you can avoid flying, then this is best. However, if you must fly, such as if you are heading to a destination far from home, then try to choose an airline that is known to use efficient aircrafts, and also have higher occupancy rates. Driving or taking the train are much more eco-friendly travel options, particularly for short-haul journeys.
Accommodation
With the increase in scrutiny on hotels, hostels and bnb’s and their environmentally practices, this information is more available than ever. Understanding the eco-friendliness of a hotel is easy – all you have to look at is their waste treatment systems, whether or not they have some form of eco-friendly energy source like hydroelectric power or solar panels, and whether or not the furniture in their rooms is sourced in an environmentally friendly manner.
Being An Eco-Friendly Tourist
Just because you’ve followed all of these procedures, doesn’t mean that your eco-friendly mannerisms have to stop there. There are a number of different ways that you can continue to be green as a tourist, while you are in your destination. Firstly, it is important to respect the local environment, making sure that you’re not littering and you’re staying on the public trails if you’re hiking. It is also important to conserve water, recycle where you can, and if you’re heading on a tour or trip form your hotel, then try and choose tour operators that are known to be eco-friendly in the local area.