Simple Ways to Achieve Sustainable Traveling

As the time goes, the tourism statistics significantly and continuously grow. On one hand, it is good in a way that it contributes to the economic growth of a community and at large. However, the surge of tourists alarmingly leads to the abuse of the natural and cultural environment. Fortunately, there is such a thing as Sustainable Traveling. Here are some things that you need to know about it and the simple ways to achieve it!

The Danger in Overtourism

What is Sustainable Traveling?

Sustainable Traveling means creating more positive impact on the local communities. Yes, tourists may enjoy the environment and use the resources; but not to the extent of destroying and abusing it. Doing so means protecting and supporting the people, cultural and natural sites whilst on a fun adventure.

Sustainable Traveling’s Pillars

When people hear the world ‘sustainability’, the first thing that comes into their mind is something related to saving the environment or being eco-friendly. However, this is only but one of the few pillars of Sustainable Traveling. This actually include Ecological, Socio-Cultural and Economical pillars.

1. Ecological

If there is something that is primarily and greatly affected by Overtourism, it’s the environment. The continuously growing crowd of tourists gets it abused. The place doesn’t get a chance to heal for a while unless closed for rehabilitation.

The Ecological pillar, consequently, has something to do with protecting the physical environment as much as possible. The travelers would best understand this with the “Leave no Trace” principle. Simply, it is described by these three lines,

Take nothing but pictures;
Leave nothing but footprints;
Kill nothing but time.

Related article: Towards Sustainability: Be Eco-Friendly with Style!

2. Socio-Cultural

The interaction with the locals in the places that we visit is indispensable. We need to interact with them for us to better appreciate and understand the place. However, we must always bear in mind that we are also coming from different cultures.

The Socio-Cultural pillar entails how people should respect the culture and traditions of the local community they are visiting. Tourists, as much as possible, should not impose their culture nor violate that of the the local community’s. Doing so may mean taking home knowledge, good experiences and memories not just of the place per se but also with its people.

3. Economical

According to the CEO of Sustainable Travel International, Mr. Geoff Bolan, “Tourism is one of the biggest providers of revenue, jobs and of course enjoyment around the globe.” It has been providing the people of the local community with jobs and other source of income. They become tour guides, boatmen, drivers, cooks and others that are related to tourism. This aspect actually deals with such.

Simple Ways to Achieve Sustainable Traveling

1. Don’t touch nor take home anything from the natural sites

It is quite tempting to be taking home a pinch of white sand or pebbles as a memento from your recent beach trip. But imagine this: if thousands of tourists thought of that, what would happen to the place several years from now? What belongs in there, stays in there. Let the future generations see that beauty, untouched.

2. Join Clean up drives and Eco-tours

There are several groups that organize clean up drives at the beach or at the mountains. There is just too much gain with such trips. You’ll able to do something for mother earth, meet other people and travelers and take home new knowledge. It guarantees more valuable travel experience and a different sense of enjoyment.

3. Check in to eco-hotels and home stays

These type of accommodations are more sustainable compared to others. Mostly, the management observes the different sustainability measures in their services and facilities.

4. Conserve water and energy

Make it a habit to always turn off the faucets, unplug electrical appliances and switch off the lights in your room especially when not in use.

5. Practice CLAY GO

CLAY GO stands for Clean As You Go. If you arrive at the place and it is clean, leave it clean as well. If there are trash in it, take it with you when you leave. Find a bin where you can put these trash at. It doesn’t make one less of a person if he or she picks up other people’s trash.

6. Reduce the use of single-use plastic

Always make it a habit to take extra eco bags every time you travel. In that case, you won’t have to resort to using single-use plastic shall you need a bag for stuff (i.e. souvenirs, soiled clothes, etc). You should also bring with you a reusable water bottle all the time. Ergo, you won’t have to buy bottled waters or beverages every now and then to stay hydrated. Save some bucks, save the earth!

7. Use reef-friendly sunscreen

Protect the reef as much as you protect your skin. Use-reef friendly sunscreen if you’re going to take the plunge or dip into the natural waters. Sunscreen lotions have harmful chemicals that affect the reef. Fortunately, there have been sunscreens out in the market that are reef-friendly.

8. Do not step on the corals

Corals are not rocks nor plants. You may not see them move like any living things do but they are actually animals. They are invertebrate animals called Polyps belonging to the Cnidaria. So, the next time that you go on a beach trip and go snorkeling, remember that you should not be touching nor stepping on them.

9. Respect the local’s culture and traditions

Prior to your trip, research not just only about the place but also about the people’s culture. In this way, you might come across the taboos, do’s and don’ts with the locals. Should you fail to do it and you’re out there already, be sensitive with how they react on what you say and do. Don’t hesitate to ask them, too. Remember, be always polite.

10. Ask permission before taking photos of the locals

Just because we can take a snap of a lot of things it doesn’t mean that we can also just take photos of people anywhere and anytime out of our interest. Even if we’re taking photos just for ourselves or for commercial use, it is a must to ask the local’s permission. There are rituals or traditions that they consider private or they just don’t want to be documented at all. So, always ask if it’s okay for them to be photographed.

11. Hire local tour guides

Get the contact details of local tour guides from the myriad of travel guides published online. Book your trips with them directly. In that case, the payment goes to them whole. Keep their contact details and refer them to other travelers, too.

12. Patronize local products

Instead of getting a pinch of sand, pieces of stones or shells or anything from the places you visited, buy souvenirs from the locals. In this way, you are not only contributing to the preservation of these natural sites but you are also supporting the local’s small businesses.

13. Eat in local restaurants

More often than not, these restaurants hire locals as their staff and crew. Also, their ingredients are sourced from local produce. Thus, dining at these restaurants gives your palate a local gastronomic experience in return to your support to the local community.

14. Travel the short distance by foot or by bike

Consider walking or cycling when going somewhere especially if it’s just near and if you’re not carrying a heavy bag instead of resorting to taking a cab. Doing so could lessen your Carbon footprints at the same time, you’re saving some bucks and engaging your body into some actions. Win-win!

Towards a Collective Impact of Sustainable Traveling

These are just few and simple ways to achieve sustainable traveling. If thousands of tourists or travelers would do it, imagine its collective positive impact not just to the local community but to the earth itself. Don’t just take photos and videos of people who are knowingly or unknowingly doing something harmful to the natural or cultural environment for the sake of ‘awareness’. Have the guts to politely talk them out of it. Educate.

Together, let’s spread the word and educate other people about Sustainable Traveling.