5 tips to make your summer holiday more sustainable

Summer is here. The urge to travel to the world’s beautiful hotspots is undeniable. Yet we know travel accounts for more than five percent of global carbon emissions. The Blue Print team asks: when you kick back and relax this year, how can you vacay in a more sustainable way?

Sustainable travel and tourism options are becoming more mainstream and it’s definitely worth checking out the growing number of sustainable tour operators and travel brands when planning your trip.

When choosing, a little knowledge can go a long way. This article explores some of the principles around sustainable travel and vacation options, so you can plan your next trip with a clear conscience.

Planning your trip

Choose your destination wisely. The “over tourism” of cities like Barcelona and Venice is causing significant problems for local communities and ecosystems. Choosing to visit alternative destinations helps to share the load.

The European Union introduced its European Green Capital award in 2010 to recognize cities which have committed to sustainable development. For example, Ljubljana in Slovenia – 2016’s winner – has plentiful public transport, pedestrian and cycling routes and is committed to protecting green spaces and saving wastewater.

Choosing to travel to areas recovering after a natural disaster is another good way to travel more sustainably. It’s a great way to boost recovery efforts. For example, Puerto Rico has developed its tourism sector since the devasting hurricane in 2017. If you can, spend part of your trip volunteering in the locale to rebuild communities.

Getting there

Travel closer to home if you can – transportation is the highest contributor to the carbon emissions caused by tourism.

Never take a flight for short distance trips – high-speed train is a much better alternative.

Try also to avoid flying for shorter trips and weekend breaks. Opt to take your shorter trips closer to home where you can use low-carbon methods of transportation to get to your destination.

If you absolutely must fly, always fly economy and pack as light as you can in order to minimize your carbon footprint. Flying direct is the best option because take-off and landing are very carbon intensive.

Choosing to travel by cruise ship isn’t great either. The New York Times reports that “even the most efficient cruise ships emit between three to four times more carbon dioxide per kilometer than commercial flights”.

Your best option is to travel by train. In Europe, 70 percent of transport emissions are made by road travel and 13 percent by aviation. By comparison, rail travel accounts for just 0.4 percent.

The European Climate Pact states that “since rail travel is largely electrified, it is responsible for lower emissions per person, per kilometer than both air and road transport. Travelling by train also helps to reduce air pollution and avoid traffic jams.”

Rail travel is also great from an experience point of view: not only are you treated to some amazing, scenic views as you travel, you can get a real feel for the country you are visiting.

Accommodation

Choose local accommodation providers over multi-national brands where you can. This way, you ensure that your hard-earnt cash goes into the hands of local communities.

Opting for home stays, local guides and programs that give back to local communities are all good options to ensure your money supports local communities.

The EU has a system of eco labels which certify the sustainability of accommodations. If you’re travelling in Europe, check for the EU eco label before you book. Similarly, Costa Rica and Australia also have programs that certify the eco credentials of their hotels, tour companies and attractions.

While you’re there

Opt for low-carbon transportation options when getting around at your destination. Consider bike or walking tours. If you rent a car, make it electric – and choose the smallest vehicle for your needs.

Instead of rushing around, trying to take in all the sights, slow it right down. Spend more time at one or two places. This way, you’ll create deeper connections with those places and get a better understanding of the place and the local community.

Pack a reusable plastic bottle for use while you’re away. Almost 40 percent of plastic used in the EU is packaging – so it’s great to reduce this where you can. Eliminating your reliance on plastic water bottles is an easy but impactful first step.

If you are travelling to places where you are not confident about the water quality, pack a water bottle with its own filter mechanism.

While you’re there, try to conserve as much water as possible, especially in drought-prone regions. Pick up after yourself and don’t leave trash or waste behind, especially in beach or rural areas, where it can become a problem for wildlife.

Rural and isolated communities face more challenges dealing with waste and recycling, so try to reduce your reliance on prepacked and disposable items while away. Instead, choose to patronize local agri-tourism restaurants and community initiatives. As well as being more sustainable, it helps to financially support local communities.

Choosing a more sustainable way to travel for your 2023 vacation is the first step to rethinking the way you travel for the long term.

Can you rethink the way you travel altogether? Since transportation makes the highest carbon contribution, making fewer, longer trips is better. Could you make one longer-length trip per year, with smaller, local breaks in between? As well as giving you more time to get to know a place, it makes it easier to keep your carbon footprint to a minimum. Opt for low-carbon, on-ground transport options that enable the journey to become part of your destination.

It’s important to start now: make the changes you can and continue to build upon them.

We all need to transition to “net zero” vacationers. With the help of carbon offsetting, we may even make the necessary transition to “net negative” vacationers.

It’s up to all of us to make the right choices.

What next?

Find out more about travel and environmental topics on our blog:

• Planning ahead for a greener and more sustainable year
• The paper makers: looking after a forest ecosystem
• Ditch the plastic for paper!
• Top 5 travel books: the travel writing to pack this summer
• Top 5 summer staycation ideas
• Keep your kids busy with these top 3 scavenger hunts