Top 5 Tips for More Sustainable Travel: Why it is Important to Follow

sustainable travelOne of the most important ways to enrich and lead a good life is traveling. In fact, it is the hobby of most of the people as a means of recreation. They love to take some time off from their busy schedule and prefers gong across the globe to explore different places. The history of mankind reveals how human beings traveled from one place to another by feet and discovered new places. Traveling helps you to have a wonderful experience of newer cultures and their ways of life. Traveling with near and dear ones in some of the best locations in the world will give you pleasure and enjoyment. For these reasons, one should definitely travel and keep on exploring newer areas. However, while traveling, one should make sure to maintain Sustainable Travel which would definitely maintain a balance and a positive atmosphere for the local people.

In the year 2017, the United Nations designed a policy which will give the opportunity to everyone to raise a global awareness which tourism can ensure by being a representative of positive change. The policy is known as International Year of Sustainable Tour for Development and it has three main aims:

  • Employment of eco-friendly practices (recycle, reuse and reduce)
  • Protection of national and cultural heritage (restoration of buildings of historical importance and ensuring the protection of endangered species)
  • Providing both economic and social benefits for the local people (upholding their culture, arrangement of fairs, handicrafts etc)

As a responsible global citizen, you can definitely ensure all the three above aims. Here are five ways to more sustainable travel:

Donating Some Amount of Money for the Local Welfare

Since one of the aims is to provide some tangible economic and social benefits to the place, you can ensure that by donating a significant amount of money to the local charity. This is one of the best ways for sustainable travel. This can be an NGO, an orphanage, a pet shelter or a food bank as well. This will definitely have a positive effect on their development. In case you cannot find these local charities, the internet can always help you in this endeavor. Search for these online after your return and donate for their welfare.

Reduction of Waste: Way of Sustainable Travel

In a certain tourist spot, the local people always try to keep the place neat and clean. Because they want the tourists to find it attractive. You should always make sure that you should not make the environment dirty. In case you do not find a dustbin, carry your waste with you. Don’t just leave throwing those here and there. Do not jeopardize your goals to sustainable travel.

Say no to plastics- if you need to drink water then carry a water bottle. It is better to refill your water bottle than buying new bottles for the same. The new plastic bottles, even if bought, should not be thrown anywhere. Another tip would be to avoid buying packaged goods and generating more wastes.

You can simply buy fresh food from the local market and have them. This has two great effects- n one hand, it shall mark your little efforts for the contribution towards local people. On the other hand, it will keep the environment clean.

Use Public Transport for Travelling

Here’s another useful yet practical tip for your sustainable travel. You can reduce a lot of costs as well as contribute to the local economy by taking the proper medium of transport. Avoid traveling by plane and car. Take the railway routes- Some of the favorite destinations for the tourists to travel by train are China, India, East Africa and south-east Asia. Also, take a cycle or can simply walk and this will help you to explore new places. There are many instances where the tourists came across many hidden gems by choosing the proper route to travel.

Support the local people

Besides donating money for charitable purposes, you can make a lot of contributions for the locals. For example, you can buy stuff from the local vendors rather than buying those from any supermarket or shopping malls. Since these vendors follow the pattern of the self-sufficient economy, it would always be the best option to never bargain with them. The little amount of money that they receive by selling home-made goods might feed at least a meal to their entire family. Try to have the local foods instead of having those in any lavish hotels. Also, instead of staying in international hotel chains, you can also opt for residing in the local hotels. In most of the places, you would find eco-stays where you can opt for boarding. This will to a great impact reduce harming the environment. However, in the hotels, make sure to turn off the lights and fans in the room and unplug any electronic goods and gadgets.

Save Animals:

There are many species that are becoming endangered day by day. While traveling at a place, make sure that you are not harming any animals. If you visit the local zoo, always abide by the rules of that place- never ever try to feed any animals. Also, never pose and take a photo beside any wild animal- the reason behind their quietness is sedation. The spirit of the elephants is also broken and that is why you can sit on them and take pictures. One of the most important initiatives from your part would be to say no to buying any wildlife products as trafficking and exploiting endangered animals are very common since the past few years.

Thus, it can be seen that with so many little efforts, you can maintain sustainable travel. All you have to do is to keep your eyes open and remain conscious of everything around you. You can definitely make a positive change by contributing to the local areas. Id each and every people of the world make these little initiatives, an all over changes to the entire world can definitely be brought. So, make sure to follow these five tips from today only and also teach these to your closed ones so that they too become aware of the positive effects of sustainable travel.

Image Credit: saga

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About the Author: Mikkie

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