If the past year has taught us anything about travel, it’s that we rely on escaping to decompress far more than we realised. But with dolphins returning to Venice’s canals, smog lifting from some of the world’s most polluted cities and animals venturing into our towns, we’ve realised that as tourists and travellers we have a huge responsibility to protect the planet and preserve destinations for future generations to enjoy. Let’s start by saying that we’re not going to tell you to never get on a plane again or to travel solely by boat, but to consider the easy little changes that you can make to your life that will have a profound impact on the future of travel if we can all stick to them! Let’s get stuck in…
One
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In 2016 alone, air passengers created 5.7 million tonnes of waste, most of which was sent to landfill. By bringing your own water bottle you can say no to single-use plastics inflight and once you have reached your destination, while saving money on overpriced drinks in the process.
Two
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Carbon offsetting works by paying a fee — usually around £1 — to remove the carbon that you produced by flying from the atmosphere. Planting trees is one way this can be done. There are calculators available to work out how much carbon you produced during your flight, and some airlines offer the option of paying a carbon offsetting fee on top of your ticket, so you don’t have to do it yourself. But for the cost of a bag of peanuts, we think it’s well worth it!
Three
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This one’s a little cryptic — we’re not going to tell you to stop travelling, because we know it makes you happy and it’s our business after all. We’re just suggesting that you make the most of those all-important flights to visit places you’ve always dreamed of, rather than booking a holiday just because it’s cheap. Consider your travel and make it count. Try to take fewer amazing holidays, rather than lots holidays that you’ll easily forget!
Four
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Wherever you travel, it always pays to spend local, whether you are buying handmade trinkets to remember your trip by or indulging in a feast of local delicacies. If you spend local, you’ll enjoy a more authentic experience, while supporting the local community, preserving their traditions and recognising why the destination you find yourself in became a destination in the first place — it might even be friendlier on your wallet!
Five
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This is one we can nag about until the cows come home, but really — who needs three outfit changes a day, 16 pairs of shoes, and a whole bag just for beauty supplies? We bet there isn’t a person out there who can say they wore everything they brought with them on holiday, so let’s just pack a little lighter — easy! Not only will you make changing for dinner a swifter process, but the plane will be lighter, meaning less fuel consumption and fewer emissions!
And while we’re on the subject of fewer emissions, by opting to fly economy you’re actually making less of an impact on the planet. While first class cabins may look fancy, they take up much more space, meaning more emissions per passenger.
Six
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We don’t mean to sound like your mum, but hanging your towel up after you’ve used it not only helps it to dry but is a sign to hotel staff that they don’t need to change it. Leave it on the floor — even accidentally — and they’ll probably assume you want a new one. Let’s face it — we don’t have a new towel every day at home, so why should it be any different on holiday? It saves water and protects the surrounding environment!
Seven
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We know to take our bags for life to the supermarket now, so why not take them on holiday, too? Just pop a little shopping tote in your carry-on before you jet off — it won’t take up much space and will be super easy to whip out when you make that inevitable airport purchase or head to the local market once you reach your destination. You’ll be using less plastic and therefore protecting the beautiful environment that you are visiting.
Eight
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We go on holiday to experience a new place, so why not try and really get a feel for your destination by walking it?
You’ll save yourself money, work off those holiday indulgences, and protect the environment by creating fewer emissions. Plus, walking around your destination is an experience in itself! Of course, this isn’t always an option for everybody, but if you can swap a few Ubers for a hike or two, you’ll have more of an impact than you realise.
Know of other easy ways that we can become more eco-friendly travellers? Head to our social channels to comment your own ideas and to stay up to date with our tips and tricks!
