It’s important for us to remember that our travelling experiences don’t exist in a vacuum. The flights we take contribute significantly to carbon emissions, the plastic bottles that we buy at our gate before boarding the plane will take 450 years to decompose, and the communities that we visit are left much stronger if we support locally-owned businesses rather than large chains.

Travelling in a way that is less harmful to the environment goes hand-in-hand with supporting local businesses and encouraging employment. 

Here’s a round up of ways that you can ensure you’re travelling more ethically and responsibly.

Eat and stay local

Eating at locally-owned restaurants and staying at locally-owned accommodation is a fantastic way to support communities and the economic growth of the places we are visiting. 

But, have you ever thought about the carbon emissions associated with running those hotels or restaurants? For instance, larger chains rarely source the ingredients in their restaurants locally. By catering to the tastebuds of tourists, they are often shipping in their ingredients rather than sourcing them locally. By supporting smaller, independent businesses, not only are you reducing the carbon emissions associated with shipping containers of food around the globe, you are supporting local farmers, and getting to experience more authentic tastes of the places you are visiting. It’s a win-win!

Take public transport

Looking for a way to have a more ‘real’ experience on your holiday, and make an environmentally friendly choice? Taking public transport between destinations is a no-brainer! Travelling on a bus or train that is already running rather than a taxi or plane doesn’t contribute any additional carbon emissions. And don’t forget the chance to take in some stunning views and parts of the country you likely wouldn’t have otherwise seen.

What exactly is slow travel? It is the concept that travel should be about experiencing the people, places and culture that you are visiting rather than trying to see as much as you can as quickly as you can. In a practical sense, this may mean staying in a region for a few days or longer and really getting to know the place you are visiting. The intention here is to have a meaningful experience and a less stressful holiday as you aren’t rushed. A wonderful side effect of this concept is that it is better for the environment. By travelling slowly, you are driving and flying less, and more likely to visit smaller communities who will benefit from tourism.

Travel in groups

Travelling in a group is a wonderful way to see the world, learn from local experts and make new friends. Many group travel companies take large groups of travellers and aim to take them to as many destinations as possible very quickly, emitting plenty of carbon in the process. Companies that offer small groups mean smaller, local hotels and restaurants can be visited, and get around using smaller vehicles that are more environmentally friendly.

Responsible operators

Whether your entire holiday is a group tour or you’re just joining a day tour, choosing to support a responsible tour operator (like us!) means your money will be going to a company you can feel good about supporting. A responsible tour operator will work closely with the local community to ensure the activities undertaken aren’t destructive to the local environment or community, and will benefit the community by employing locals.

A good tip is to keep an eye out for B Corps! These are companies that have been through a rigorous certification process to prove that their business model makes a positive impact on the environment and the local community.