Everyone enjoys vacationing, and the tourism industry is booming globally. Whilst this can be good news for local communities which often depend on income generated through tourism, there are ecological and sustainability concerns relating to the way in which modern tourism happens. As individuals seek to reduce their impact on the planet, one significant adjustment can come in the way you travel. Read on for three key tips for more sustainable vacations.
Take The Train
Where possible, take the train to your destination, as opposed to flying. Coach, car, and boat travel are also more sustainable choices than going by air. If you must go by air, try to go in one journey rather than stopping over, as landing and take-off produce use more fuel. Not only is going by train more sustainable, it can also be more relaxing and fun, as you watch the scenery unwind outside the window.
Go Off Season
Many countries, including Italy, the UK, and Iceland, are struggling with high volumes of traffic on the roads during the summer months. Rather than visiting in high season (generally June – August), try a trip in May or September. By going off season, you will have a nicer time as the crowds will have gone, but you will also give the infrastructure and facilities of the country you’re visiting a bit of a breather. High volumes of visitors in concentrated parts of the year are leading to erosion of paths, littering of natural spaces, and overcrowding at hotspots.
Eat Local
Seek out places to eat that use local, ethically sourced food. Whether this means buying from local fishermen in Greece, a delicatessen in France, or from the local market in Spain, choosing to support small producers (rather than spending all of your time in huge supermarkets and out of town stores) will boost the local economy and encourage better farming practices. It also should mean better quality, more delicious food for you.
Travelling should be fun, but if we can make it more sustainable through some small adjustments and active decisions, then we can vacation knowing that our impact is as small as possible on an area.