Tread Lightly: A Guide to Eco Travel

With the awareness of responsible travel on the rise, travellers are seeking deeper travel experiences. While fun is most definitely on top of our list, many of us also want to do our part for the people and places we travel to.

Travel, if done mindfully, can leave a positive impact on both the travel destination and the quality of your travel experience – restoring balance and a sense of connection.

Here are a few simple ways to become a more eco-conscious traveller.

Travel with cultural sensitivity

Treat the local people with respect – they are an important part of your travel experience and play a key role in protecting the countries culture, natural habitat and wildlife.

There are times when your ethical beliefs may go against local practices, however make every effort to keep an open mind and always respect the culture and customs of your host country. In Istanbul’s Blue Mosque, all visitors must remove their shoes and have covered shoulders and knees.

Simple ways to show respect and courtesy is to learn a few words of the local language and use them, try to dress appropriately for local customs and seek permission before taking photos, or entering sacred places, homes and private land.

Respect the natural habitat

Do your part to help preserve the natural environment by leaving the location as you found it. Never remove anything from its natural environment including shells, rocks, flowers and coral.

Don’t touch, feed or harass animals. Always follow designated trails, listen to local guides and obey park rules. And finally don’t be a scrooge, support conservation by paying entrance fees to parks and protected sites.

Pay the fair price

Refrain from engaging in any overly aggressive bargaining just for the sake of ‘scoring a bargain’. Remind yourself that the local people live on a few dollars a day, so while the extra money you have to fork out may have a short term affect on your pride and wallet, it can have a long lasting positive impact for the local stall holder. Also don’t short-change on tips for services, as local workers rely on them for their livelihood.

Support local

The most unique, and often more treasured gifts, are those made by local artisans using native natural resources.

Enrich your experience and provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people by contributing to the local economy. This will also reduce the effects of pollution and greenhouse gasses, as many souvenirs and goods are actually mass-produced and shipped internationally from industrial countries.

Choose locally owned restaurants, shop in local markets, attend local festivals/events, hire local guides, and buy products made or grown locally.

Say no to plastic bags

No matter where you travel in the world, there are always two things you’re guaranteed to come across – Coca-Cola and plastic bags. The non-biodegradable plastic bag is everywhere, and unfortunately it ends up littering streets, parks and oceans. When you arrive at your destination take a trip down to the local market and buy a re-usable shopping bag or market bag, it will not only make for a great souvenir but you will be able to politely decline the plastic bag and become a part of the solution!

Stay on the trail

When hiking or following the local footpaths, stay on the trail and avoid taking shortcuts. The reasoning behind this is to protect the indigenous plants and local wildlife, and to stop the spreading of disease and foreign flora, which can be carried on the bottom of shoes. Although it may seem a rather minor action to take a shortcut, when multiplied by several thousand trekkers each year it becomes rather significant.

Use biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner

Pack environmentally friendly soap, shampoo and conditioner, which will be gentle on the local water system, especially in rural areas where the grey water is often recycled. There are many gentle and natural formulations on the market today; some of my favourites include Dr. Bronner’s and Gaia.

Seek out urban eco adventures

The idea of holidaying in a big city may conjure up images of treeless sidewalks, pollution and traffic-choked streets. But an eco-friendly trip is not just limited to nature or culture-based destinations, and many urban areas are very ‘green’. In most cities you’ll find a fantastic public transportation system, local markets, urban farms, green parks, botanical gardens, various organic restaurants, a cultural centre and bespoke shops supporting local artists and a network of bike paths to explore. Embark on some local urban adventures, they’re great ways to absorb the local culture and see the city’s ‘secret’ spots.

BYOB

Bottled water consumption across the globe is rampant and the

growing waste from plastic water bottles is fast becoming a worldwide issue. Empty bottles, made of petroleum-based plastic, accumulate as non-biodegradable rubbish along city streets, in rivers, in parks, on beaches, and in the ocean. Best practice is to always bring your own bottle and fill up with fresh, clean water whenever you can. If you’re travelling to countries where you need to treat the water, bring along either purification tablets or invest in a water bottle that has a purifier built into it.

If you find yourself without a reusable water bottle or purifier, then buy the bigger bottles of water rather than tossing five or six small bottles in the rubbish every day.

Jump aboard public transport

Instead of renting a car, utilise the local public transport – trains, Traghetto’s, buses, subways, rickshaws or dog sleds are often unique to a particular place and all part of the experience. They’re often less chaotic than driving in an unfamiliar place so you’ll be able to fully enjoy the scenery and interact with locals. To become part of the local scene, consider guided walking tours, renting a bike, or taking a leisurely stroll down one of the local paths.

Leave a positive impact on your travel destination

Lessen your impact as a tourist by giving back to the people, community and environment during your stay. There are many things you can do, some of my favourites are:

• Pack old clothes and blankets to drop off at local shelters, which will also ultimately create more space in your suitcase to take home more souvenirs.

• School supplies in under-developed countries are often scarce. Bring pens, pencils and notebooks to hand out to local schools.

• Plan to travel to indigenous villages and participate in community development projects, such as building a school or water fountain.

• Seek out a cultural-immersion home stay for a few days.

Be at home in your hotel

Wherever you choose to lay your head at night, make a conscious effort to treat it like you would your own home. Avoid getting clean towels everyday, don’t take excessive long showers, turn off the TV and lights when not using them, open curtains for natural light and turn off the aircon when you leave the room.

Buy a travel solar power panel

They cost about $80 and are the size of an iPad. While charging your phone or laptop with solar energy may seem like a small and somewhat insignificant action, every bit contributes positively to the environment. I personally love my travel solar panel and they are great in remote places where you’re not always guaranteed to have a power outlet. Invest in one for your next travels – the planet will thank you.

Travel is more than simply visiting places, taking photos, buying souvenirs and crossing destinations off your bucket list. When executed mindfully, and with minimum impact, travel can inspire cultural awareness along with positive environmental and social change. Your journey to becoming an eco-traveller starts with an awareness that, you, the traveler, have the power to help change the way the world travels.

Become a change maker today and choose to travel lightly. Happy Travels!

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