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How to travel better: a beginner's guide to sustainable travel in 2023 and beyond

Sustainable, green, responsible — planet-friendly ways to explore the world are more popular than ever but how do you start to make better decisions when you travel? The first step is to understand what sustainable travel is and why it’s important.

What’s sustainable travel? Sustainable travel is about travelling in a way that’s sensitive to the climate and nature emergencies while ensuring that the wellbeing of the places we visit gain long-term benefit from us travelling there. It’s a balancing act between maximising the positives of travel while reducing or eliminating the negatives.

What’s happening and why? The concentration of carbon dioxide currently in the atmosphere is well over 400 parts per million higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years — and it’s still increasing, causing global temperatures to rise. The consensus is that a rise of just 1.5C will cause dangerous warming of the planet. The stability of our world’s climate hinges on whether we can keep this small rise in global temperatures in check and time’s running out. This is the decade that counts.

How does this impact the natural world? Commensurate with the climate crisis is the nature emergency: worldwide, 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to the intensification of agriculture and forestry, resource extraction, hunting, invasive species, urban sprawl, pollution and climate change. Yet, this is not just about the disappearance of remote rainforests or polar bears at the extremities of the planet – habitat and biodiversity loss are happening on a colossal scale in the UK, to our hedgerows and forests, our garden birds, and the fish in our seas.

What can you do about it? Being a sustainable traveller is not about making grand, one-off gestures, it’s a state of mind, an ongoing attitude to conscious adventure that influences all aspects of how we holiday, including what we pack in our luggage and how we travel out to destinations, as well as the choice of hotels and activities we take part in while we’re there.

How do I even get started? To begin with, consider packing less: travelling lighter will reduce the chances of having to dispose of items; it makes it much easier to travel around, especially on foot, by bike or on public transport; and it’s more fuel efficient — especially noticeable if you’re travelling in an electric car. A useful device for packing economically is to consider the three Rs: Reduce: What can I get away with not taking; are there items that can double up for several uses? Reuse: What can I take that I can reuse over and over again? Recycle: What can I take that can be recycled once I’ve finished using it? Try to avoid taking single-use plastic, such as bottles, bags and straws, which break down over time into tiny microplastics that enter the food chain when they’re consumed by marine wildlife and ultimately cause serious health issues for humans. Instead, pack a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, Tupperware containers for food and toiletries, and a shopping bag — it’ll be handy not just as a replacement for buying a plastic bag at a supermarket, but also when you’re out buying food and groceries at a local market.

What’s the most important change that I can make? The single more significant way to reduce the carbon emissions of travelling is to tackle the transport portion, which is often responsible for at least 70% of the carbon emissions of a holiday. The most effective way to do this is to reduce the distance travelled and to travel in a way that burns less or, even better, no fossil fuels, using more sustainable modes of transport; or by not travelling in a vehicle at all, choosing instead to travel on foot, by bike or under sail. There’s a steep difference in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by aeroplanes compared with most land-based vehicles. There are concerted efforts to decarbonise air travel using alternative fuels and methods of propulsion (such as via electricity and hydrogen), but even the most optimistic predictions support that this change is at least a decade away for most airlines. For the time being, the emissions from just one long-haul flight can be more than those caused by someone driving a standard petrol car for a whole year. Taking the train within the UK emits about six times less than flying and taking the bus emits about nine times less. In Europe, where many trains (including Eurostar) are electric, the emissions from rail travel can be as much as 10 times less than flying.

And what if I do need to fly? If you do fly, bear in mind that there’s quite a large disparity between the carbon emissions of aircraft and the operating procedures of airlines, so do use online tools such as the ‘Greener Choices’ label on the search results provided by the flight search engine skyscanner.net , which flags up those flights that have less than average emissions.

While flying continues to be such a large polluter, consider adopting a more selective approach to flying: just as with the flexitarian approach to food where you eat a mainly plant-based diet and only occasionally eat lean meat and sustainably sourced fish, a similar attitude to flying could be that you mainly travel overland and only occasionally fly, staying for longer, and making the most of the flight by choosing a positive-impact holiday that benefits nature conservation and/or genuinely benefits the wellbeing of local communities.

What does my carbon impact look like once I get to a destination? There are other factors that will affect your carbon emissions when you’re at the destination, including your choice of hotel and the food you eat. The average carbon footprint of a night in a typical hotel in the UK is about 31.1kg CO2, according to the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, so choosing a hotel that has lower than average carbon emissions can make a significant difference to your holiday’s footprint. Thankfully it’s becoming easier to find green accommodation — keep an eye out for the green filters on specialist accommodation booking sites, such as Airbnb’s ‘off-the-grid’, Sawday’s 'Sustainable stars'   and   i-escape's 'eco rating', there are several online agencies that specialise in green accommodation, such as fairbnb.coop and myecostay.eu , and even the big online agencies, such as Booking.com , TripAdvisor and Google , now flag up eco-certified hotels in their search results. Many of these eco-certified accommodations do much more than reducing their carbon emissions, they’ll also reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill and reduce the use of chemicals and the amount of water they use.

Feasting on local, seasonal food washed down with the local tipple conveys a sense of place better than any travel brochure. It’s also much better for the environment as there are significant emissions of carbon arising from the ‘food miles’ associated with transporting food great distances. Whether it’s freshly baked bread for breakfast, salad from the local market for lunch, or the catch of the day at the nearby restaurant, choosing local isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also healthier and a great way to put money into the local community.

Where to go Some of the most colourful cities in Europe are a great choice for a green break, such as Bristol, Angers, Nantes, Zurich, Ljubljana and Copenhagen. Here, pragmatic local authorities are implementing the circular economy to create sustainable transport, housing and economic development policies that are accelerating their transition to net zero, which has the knock-on effect of improving the experience for sustainable travellers. For example, regenerative wetlands and connected green spaces help manage storm water, air quality and improve biodiversity, but also provide wonderful green sanctuaries that are great for appreciating urban nature or for just chilling out in parks and gardens across urban villages.

And how to get around? Countries that have a modern, high-speed rail infrastructure make it easy to travel with a lower carbon footprint. Switzerland has an extensive public transport network across the country (the Swiss Travel Pass provides free admission to 500 museums as well as unlimited travel on trains, bus, boat and public transport in cities), while France, Spain, Italy and Germany have impressive high-speed rail networks, particularly between major cities.

What about long haul? Further afield, some countries have made concerted efforts to include tourism in their sustainable development goals. Following decades of tree clearing for agriculture and livestock production, in the 1980s the Costa Rican government implemented policies that have halted and reversed this deforestation. Today, over half of Costa Rica’s land is covered by forest, compared to just 26% in 1983, allowing it to make the most of the biodiversity in its rainforests and pioneer the concept of ecotourism, developing small-scale, high-end eco lodges that have contributed to the conservation of its rainforests. Guyana, too, is developing community-based ecotourism to fund the protection of its rainforests. Lodges such as Iwokrama River Lodge , Rewa Eco-Lodge and Surama Eco-Lodge enable visitors to enjoy the country’s incredible biodiversity, while contributing to its conservation and to the livelihoods of remote communities.

Where can I look for more information? Richard Hammond is a sustainable travel expert and founder of Green Traveller and the author of The Green Traveller: Conscious Adventure That Doesn’t Cost the Earth (£18.99, Pavilion).

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14 sustainable travel companies you can feel good about booking with

Do some good while seeing the world when you book with these ethical and sustainable travel companies

While we don’t want to labour on the negatives, you don’t need to be an expert or activist to understand that we are in a climate pinch. It seems a little contradictory to fear for the future while excitedly encouraging international travel, but we humans are an innovative bunch. Exploring the globe doesn’t need to be devastating, and being a responsible traveller doesn’t mean lectures and negativity. Whether you call it eco-travel, sustainable, ethical, regenerative or eco-travel, there is plenty to get excited about.

An increasing number of sustainable travel companies are creating itineraries that allow curious minds to see the world while keeping the impact down. The experiences are awe-inspiring, from hiking remote mountaintops to embracing the world’s most impressive national parks, allowing visitors to engage with destinations in a way that extends far beyond the superficial. If you’re looking for an ethical and environmentally driven travel company for your next adventure, look no further.

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Sustainable travel companies

1.  Byway Travel

In an ambitious mission statement, UK travel platform Byway declares that its goal is to make flight-free holidays a mainstream holiday choice. Their way of doing so? By helping people discover the beauty of slow, overland travel across the British Isles and Europe . Founder and CEO Cat Jones launched the now B Corporation-certified company during the first Covid lockdown, determined to find a way to reduce flight emissions. Her explanation was simple: If we continue on the current trajectory, emissions from flying are due to triple by 2050. 

2.  Gondwana Ecotours

Named after the ancient supercontinent that gradually split to become the land masses we recognize today, Gondwana Ecotours says its mission is to bring people from different continents closer together, one trip at a time. The New Orleans -based company specializes in small group and private tours that take on exhilarating experiences around the globe, such as gorilla trekking in Rwanda and eco-adventures in Patagonia and Mendoza.

A key component of Gondwana is its network of guides who live in the communities visited, adding personal knowledge, depth and authenticity to the experience while providing tourism-generated income. The company is also committed to limiting its carbon footprint through sustainable travel practices and is recognized for offsetting more than 580 tons of carbon emissions. Since 2021, its tours have been 100-percent carbon-neutral, as certified by the Cooler emissions tracking organization.

3.  Intrepid Travel

Australian-owned Intrepid has always been forthright in declaring its commitment to ethical and responsible practices. In 2018, it became one of the first global travel operators to be B Corporation-certified. Since 2010, it has been operating as the world’s largest carbon-neutral company, carefully measuring and offsetting all unavoidable carbon emissions for 13 years. 

Their trips are just as impressive. From 15-day expeditions traversing the extraordinary gorges and remote villages of northern Pakistan’s Hunza Valley to nine-day itineraries centred around baby gorilla naming ceremonies in Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes National Park, Intrepid offer true bucket list travel adventures suited to guests of all interests and abilities. In 2020, as a part of the Tourism Declares A Climate Emergency initiative, the company published a seven-point climate commitment plan – revealing its intention to transition to 100% renewable energy use in offices by 2025 and on all trips by 2030.

4.  Experience Travel Group

Operating on the belief that ‘travel should be about reciprocation’, Asia travel specialist Experience Travel Group holds responsible travel at its core, enabling guests to interact with the community and experience real cultural immersion on every trip. Another B Corporation-certified company, the team is dedicated to creating experiences that divert away from trendy hubs and big hotels. Instead, they build personalised itineraries with initiatives to give back to the community included in the package. 

On adventures in Indonesia , Laos, Cambodia , Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam , for example, guests can enjoy delicious local dishes at ‘social enterprise’ restaurants that support vulnerable young people through job training and employment. In Cambodia, a trip to the Phare Circus in Siem Reap sends funds directly to a performing arts school for underprivileged children in nearby Battambang. A three-day hike along sections of Sri Lanka ’s Pekoe Trail follows the old horse and cart routes that carried tea to the ports, bringing vital income to little-visited communities. 

5.  Seacology

In 1990, American ethnobotanist Dr Paul Cox was conducting forest research in Samoa when village leaders told him 30,000 acres of pristine rainforest were about to be logged due to a government decree to fund a school. Cox was horrified and quickly devised a proposal to raise the needed money to conserve the forest in perpetuity. His plan worked and has come to define the Seacology model: Provide material benefits to villages that pledge to protect their natural resources.

Today, Seacology offers unique ecotourism adventures throughout the world’s islands, where travelers visit active projects, interact with local people and are part of the formula that helps conserve both habitats and communities. Seacology guests also explore intriguing island environments, from the coral reefs of  Fiji to the rainforests of Borneo, while staying at well-appointed resorts and visiting important cultural sites. With all this tropical splendour, expect plenty of opportunities to scuba dive, snorkel, hike and kayak.

6.  Discover Corps

Discover Corps is the leader in the rapidly growing field of 'volunteer vacations' focusing on children, schools, animals and wildlife conservation. Yes, 'voluntourism' has often become a buzzword to cash in on thinly veiled claims, earning criticism and scrutiny over the years. However, Discover Corps operates with complete transparency and has become something of a gold standard for the model.

Trip itineraries are designed to connect travellers to local communities and provide a deeper understanding of the culture, issues, and ways of life in locations around the world. Many projects are in Africa , Asia , and Latin America and can range from caring for elephants in Thailand to helping to protect the animals in South Africa's Greater Kruger National Park region.

7.  ROW Adventures

From its beginnings as a whitewater rafting company in the US's Pacific Northwest, ROW Adventures has evolved into an adventure travel company that advocates the transformative nature of human-powered experiences. According to ROW, connecting people with nature results in positive impacts, and the company adheres to conducting business in an inclusive and sustainable way while promoting social equity, environmental stewardship and accountability. Human-powered activities allow participants to fully observe the surroundings, whether white water rafting in Idaho's Salmon River, sea kayaking the orcas in Canada, or trekking across Machu Picchu.

ROW also recognizes that travel is a large contributor to the world’s carbon footprint and subsequently mitigates the impact by offsetting carbon-producing activities whenever possible. At the same time, trips also educate guests to be advocates for locations visited, with special recognition given to the awareness of Indigenous communities and honouring their legacies, lives and connections to the land.

8.  Natural Habitat Adventures

Conservation through exploration is the credo of Natural Habitat Adventures , the official travel partner of the World Wildlife Fund. Nat Hab, as it’s called, is committed to environmentally friendly nature travel, stressing that its travellers become a force for change in addressing the planet's most pressing conservation challenges. Polar bear tours in the Canadian Arctic , African safaris and South American nature tours are examples of the company’s itineraries where tourism dollars become an influential incentive for communities to protect their natural resources.

Nat Hab also acknowledges that its 8,000 annual travellers on all seven continents expend plenty of CO2. To mitigate travel’s carbon output, the company leans into offsetting measures. From 2007 to 2019, Nat Hab offset 49,418 tons of carbon dioxide and has become the world's first 100-percent carbon-neutral travel company. They’ve also provided more than $4.5 million to support WWF’s global conservation efforts and continue to give one-percent of gross sales plus $150,000 annually in support of WWF’s global mission. 

9.  Cheeseman's Ecological Safaris

Ecology safaris catering to wildlife enthusiasts looking for an in-depth nature experience is what husband-and-wife founders Doug and Gail Cheeseman envisioned when they started their namesake company in 1980. Doug, a college zoology and ecology professor, and Gail, a naturalist, turned their passion for nature into a travel company focusing on comprehensive wildlife tours all over the globe. Working with local guides and wildlife researchers, tours are designed for hardcore animal lovers who are obsessed with travel and enjoy learning about the animals they encounter.

For example, Cheeseman’s  Palau National Marine Reserve diving trip in the western Pacific Ocean offers 12 days of snorkelling, paddling, sailing and diving among the awe-inspiring tropical islands in the region.

10.  Quark Expeditions

Quark Expeditions co-founders Lars Wikander and Mike McDowell took the first group of commercial travellers to the North Pole in 1991, completing the first-ever tourism transit of the Northeast Passage. That inaugural expedition proved a game-changer and positioned the company at the forefront of polar explorations. In the three decades since, its polar travellers have visited remote parts of the Arctic and Antarctic. 

With the Earth’s polar regions threatened by climate change, Quark is committed to raising awareness of these delicate ecosystems through environmentally responsible tourism. A facet of that commitment is the company’s Polar Promise to reduce its footprint and work with other industry leaders, as well as guests, to address the complex and challenging issues facing the regions. Coordinating with a global network of scientists, community leaders and sustainability innovators, the company plans to contribute a minimum of $500,000 each year in support of key environmental initiatives and sustainable development projects.

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Traveling Tulls

Eco-Travel in Retirement – Nature and Sustainable Luxury Travel

How to Plan a Sustainable Vacation: a green travel planning guide (2024)

Planning a sustainable vacation means making the conscientious choice to reduce the environmental impact of your trip. With a focus on minimizing your carbon footprint, supporting the local culture, and promoting conservation efforts, green travel aims to create a positive impact on the environment and the hosting communities, fostering an enriching travel experience for all. In this article we will give you the basics for planning your eco-friendly trip and will share how our first intentionally green travel experience came together.

As wildlife lovers, we have always been interested in environmentally friendly travel. We followed all the basics – avoiding single-use plastics and taking short showers – but only recently began to understand all that goes into making our travel destinations sustainable. We’ve learned that taking time to understand the issues challenging the destination, and planning accordingly, will ensure our travel supports the natural habitat and the local economy .

Key takeaways for green travel planning

• Why? Minimize environmental footprint, preserve cultural heritage, and support local economies.
• Where? Destinations that support conservation efforts, practice eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives. Avoid areas of over tourism.
• When? Opt for slow travel, if possible. Travel in off-peak seasons to reduce overcrowding and to provide support to the communities.
• How? Choose accommodations with green certifications, and use eco-friendly transportation like trains, buses, or bikes when possible.
• Who? Support local – local guides, local businesses, etc.
• What more? Engage in ethical and conservation-based activities, pack light and smart, and respect the destination through personal habits towards sustainability.

This post includes affiliate links. Traveling Tulls may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you purchase something from one of these links. DISCLOSURE

Table of Contents

What is a sustainable travel plan?

Sustainable holiday planning, or green travel planning, is the process of designing your trip in a responsible way. In sustainable tourism the three pillars of sustainability – the environment, the economy, and society – are all interdependent. In other words, your trip would be as beneficial to the hosting community, and to future generations, as it is to you, the visitor.

How to plan a sustainable vacation

Research the destination (the where).

Choose locations that actively support the environment and preserve the local culture. Look for places supporting conservation projects. Visiting an eco-tourism destination like a National Park or the Galápagos Islands promotes the value of the environment and ensures its preservation.

Avoid destinations experiencing over-tourism. Large numbers of tourists arriving in one location puts a huge strain on the area’s resources, raises prices for locals, and often results in destroying that which brought the travelers to the area.

Avoid countries experiencing political turmoil or where human rights are threatened. Stay away from destinations advertising unethical tourist experiences. Travel can be an opportunity to “vote with your wallet”.

Decide on timing for your travel (the When?)

Planning your visit for the off season will ease some of the burden of over-tourism. (And avoiding peak season rates will save you money!) Popular destinations like Venice, Italy are packed in the summer but have plenty of offer in the low season.

Opt for slow travel if at all possible. ‘Slow travel’ involves spending time in one location rather than rushing through multiple stops. More time allows for more meaningful experiences and opportunities for cultural immersion. Ultimately, spending time in one location leads to a more relaxed and mindful travel experience.

Outline travel plans early for an eco-friendly trip (the How?)

Book green hotels and other accommodations that are committed to sustainability. Look into whether there is a certification program for lodging in the area you are visiting. If there isn’t a program available, reach out to the hotel to ask about sustainability practices. And remember that locally owned and operated lodging returns the most revenue to the economy.

In many cases the transportation you use will be the largest factor in carbon emissions for the trip. Choose wisely. Train travel is most efficient, with bus travel, and ride sharing following.

If your trip involves a flight:

• Fly direct if possible. The most fuel is used during take-off and landing.
• Check carbon ratings for your flight before booking.
• Can you combine this trip with another to save on transportation? Visit family on the way? Or enjoy a beach break after a busier tour?

Book local activities (the Who?)

Research the activities you want to do ahead of time to find local guides and tour operators. For example, if you’re hoping to do some birding on your trip, reach out to a local birding club for recommendations. They’re all on the web and are usually pleased to help. And these people know their environment better than any outside tour guide. (We’ve also had great luck hiring a local cab driver and asking for their favorite beach or lunch spot.)

Once at your destination get away from the touristy areas to patronize local artisans, small businesses, and restaurants. You’ll contribute to the economy while enjoying an authentic experience.

Make intentional decisions (the What More?)

Once you’ve made your travel plan it’s time to prepare for the trip. Now it’s about your sustainability practices. What can you do to make this trip beneficial to you and your destination? Remember the pillars of sustainability – economy, society, and environment. You’ve addressed the economy by choosing sustainable accommodations and hiring local guides. What’s the best way to ensure your trip helps society and the environment? Respect.

Respect the local culture

• Learn about the destination. Create a reading list of books about your destination. Or line up some movies for a family film festival.
• Research cultural customs and etiquette and be prepared to respect the local customs. Remember that you are a guest in the country.
• Learn a few words of the language, if only please and thank you.

Respect the natural environment

• Research wildlife activities to determine if they’re ethically run.
• Stay on marked trails
• Give wildlife room
• Don’t litter (Pack it in/Pack it out)
• Leave what you find
• Bring your own reusable items, like a shopping bag, reusable water bottles, straw, etc.
• Create a travel capsule wardrobe to pack light. (Choose quick dry, odor resistant, wrinkle-free items to reduce the need for laundry services)
• Minimize toiletries, gear, etc. with a minimalist packing list
• Be vigilant about water conservation. Short showers, faucet off for tooth brushing, etc. Most ecotourism areas do not have an abundance of potable water.

Taking time to plan a sustainable vacation makes it easy to enjoy your travel knowing that you’re being responsible. Consider each step above as you put together your itinerary, and you’re good to go!

Bonus Points : Identify, and support, a charity, social justice cause, or environmental foundation from your destination.

Case Study: How we planned a sustainable trip to Costa Rica

A trip to Costa Rica has been top of my wish list for a long time. I’m an avid birder and had researched birding expeditions to this Central American country for years. My husband is NOT a birder however and prefers a relaxing cruise or island destination for our mid-winter travel. So we compromise. Years of traveling together have helped us to arrive at plans that work for both of us. When traveling anywhere we schedule some quiet time either before or (preferably) at the end of our journey. This has worked well for us on our African safaris , and on our European vacations . For the trip to Costa Rica, and my commitment to plan a sustainable vacation, we had to really compromise…

Decisions, decisions… or coming up with a plan

1. Destination

Costa Rica – If you research sustainable travel, you will immediately come up with links to Costa Rica. This country is way ahead of the world in sustainable tourism and is always on the list of ecotourism destinations. Almost 5% of the world’s biodiversity is found in this small nation. In 2021 Costa Rica was the recipient of the Earthshot Prize, a global environmental a ward.

We are traveling at the end of January to escape the New England winter, but we’ve timed our trip away from school vacation schedules when the sites might be busy. However, with COVID-19 having a severe impact on travel, deciding on an ‘unbusy’ time to travel was largely irrelevant. But deciding to go ahead with the trip this year was important to the Costa Rican tourism industry.

3. Outline travel plans

• Combining travel – we booked our flight to begin in the NYC area and giving us the opportunity to visit our New York family. In Costa Rica we will have a week on our own, exploring nature, etc. before sailing for a week on a small ship. We had originally intended to add another week’s stay in Florida or Texas, but in light of the epidemic and possible quarantine protocols, we decided to fly directly home.
• Research activities – we decided to book our pre-cruise week with Nicole Engel ( Absolute Experts Costa Rica ) a local Costa Rican travel advisor. We’ve outlined things we want to see and do, and requested she book locally owned, sustainable lodging, and local guides for our tours.
• As we are traveling during the pandemic the most important preparation was researching the health and vaccination requirements for entering Costa Rica. We are fully vaccinated and boosted, so do not need to purchase the mandatory Costa Rican travel insurance for the unvaccinated. We decided to purchase our own insurance anyway in case we got sick and had to cancel at the last minute or needed additional medical care in Costa Rica.
• Putting together a reading list is always a fun activity for me. My favorite for this trip was Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate by Jack Ewing. It’s a collection of natural history essays – easy reading, yet informative.
• Dave is pretty fluent in Spanish, so we felt comfortable with that. ( post-trip note: I need to learn Spanish! Dave did great, but I missed a lot!)

4. Transportation

There are no direct flights from Boston, so we will begin our trip in the NYC area. Undecided whether we will drive or take Amtrak to get to NY. Our research on Google Flights gave us information on flight efficiency. We are booked to fly on United Airlines on a flight rated as producing 18% lower emissions than average.

We have planned our nature week in Costa Rica with Nicole. We discussed with her our commitment to sustainable travel, and she selected lodging accordingly. Costa Rica makes this easy as the Costa Rican Tourism Institute has developed criteria for lodging to receive certification for sustainable tourism (CST). Nicole has booked us at the Hotel Belmar near the Monteverde cloud forest. This hotel is rated 5 leaves – the highest rating given by the tourism board. We’re looking forward to learning about how they’ve created a model for sustainable tourism. After the land portion of the trip, our challenge come in. Cruising can be notoriously UN-sustainable, but we researched and chose to book a small ship cruise with Windstar on one of their sailing ships. This ship carries only 148 guests as opposed to the thousands carried on other lines mega-ships. Windstar has made a commitment to sustainability . The company is upgrading its ships, installing new wastewater treatment systems and new engines which exceed the efficiency standards put in place by the International Maritime Organization limit.

6. Begin Booking and Bookmarking Activities

We’ve settled on a schedule that will allow us some time in San Jose city, several days in nature reserves, and a day or two of complete relaxation. I’ve prepared a journal where I’ve gathered ideas for local restaurants to try, responsible tours, etc. Again, as the pandemic is still ongoing, we do not need to reserve spots for these activities immediately. Reading reviews on TripAdvisor (or similar review sites) has helped us to decide on what to do and what to avoid. We’ve decided to skip a wildlife refuge that some felt was ethically questionable.

7. Pack light and sustainably

Not a challenge for me! We will likely pack carry-on with one bag each. Over the years we have invested in quality, lightweight, quick-dry clothing. Our gadgets will go in our under-seat bag and will take up much of the baggage weight. In our bags we will be sure to include:

• reusable water bottle
• coral safe sunscreen
• a reusable shopping bag (no plastic bags in Costa Rica)
• reusable straws

Identify a cause, charity or reserve to support. We’ve searched Pack with a Purpose and found a list of school supplies being collected at Hotel Belmar. Pack with a Purpose is a nonprofit organization that lets travelers identify supplies needed in destinations they are visiting. Hotels and lodgings around the world submit lists of community needs and disperse whatever the traveler is able to fit in their suitcase. That’s a good start for our giving back. Will have to see if we find more causes when we get there!

How’d we do? Was the trip an example of sustainable, green tourism?

Over our years of travel, we’ve learned that the most important thing you can bring on any trip is flexibility. Certainly, this was the case for this trip. Right before we were to leave for our trip, we lost a sister to cancer. Though she’d been sick for a while, her death was completely unexpected. We were shattered, and unsure whether to go forward with the trip. We made the difficult decision to adjust plans and go to Costa Rica directly from the funeral.

Almost all the plans we’ve outlined above changed. We left from Texas, cancelled the cruise portion of the trip, and slowed down our schedule to add more time to rest. As a result, the trip was more sustainable than we’d planned. We know it was more of what we needed after our loss. Not only did we have privacy to mourn, but also the days in small towns gave us the opportunity to enjoy local restaurants, and hear live music.

Green Travel Planning Success – going with local guides!

We met the most extraordinary nature guides, who not only shared with us their knowledge of wildlife, but also took the time to talk about their lives, their struggles these past two years, and cheered us with their good humor. Undoubtedly, having tourists back in Costa Rica is essential to the country and these people. They were justly proud of the work Costa Rica has done to protect its environments:

• Karen Castillo ( Smilisca Natural Expeditions ), our guide in Manuel Antonio National Park, shared how this immensely popular park has not only set limits on the numbers of visitors daily, but also has made the decision to close one day a week to allow nature to recover. In this way, the government is prioritizing nature over money. BTW Karen was the first female guide in the national park!
• Felix Barrantes ( Pasión Costa Rica ) gave us an amazing tour of the Monteverde Cloud Forest, but also shared his concerns for the effects climate change has already had on the ecosystem. In the 1970s the cloud forest averaged no more than 23 sunny days a year, in 2021 there were 132 sunny days. This change has resulted in many species disappearing, possibly forever. Felix told us about the quality of life in the country, and the laws enacted to preserve health and the environment – no smoking allowed in ANY public space, fines of littering, etc.
• Giovanni Bogarin has single-handedly reforested 30 acres in the town of La Fortuna. This reserve is now home to sloths, iguanas, and hundreds of bird species. Giovanni has been featured in the New York Times for his work. Our day with Giovanni was extraordinary!

Final thoughts

Now that we’re home and reflecting on the past month, we recognize how restoring it was to spend time with each other and with the friendly local people of Costa Rica. As we said goodbye to each guide, each hotelier, and each driver, my husband assured them that we would come back to Costa Rica. I think my ‘birding dream vacation’ was a hit with him too!

Are you a earth-friendly traveler? Do you have suggestions on how to plan a sustainable trip? I’d love to hear any tips you have to make our travel more sustainable, and that we can share in this green travel guide! Thanks! – Amy

Amy, a writer on responsible bucket list travel, is your reliable source for insightful travel advice. With a career background in libraries, and a degree in biology and mathematics, Amy's approach to travel is rooted in meticulous research and planning, and her commitment to eco-conscious adventures.

Amy’s dedication to sustainable travel practices, including efficient packing techniques, ensures that every adventure leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the traveler's well-being. Trust Amy to guide you towards meaningful and eco-friendly travel, making the most of your retirement years.

A lifelong New England resident, Amy is also the source for insider tips on travel in the Northeastern U.S.

• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ 25 Tips to Conquer Travel Anxiety: How to Make Travel Easier (and almost stress-free!)
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Easy Elegance: 3 Capsule Wardrobe Templates for Travel Planning
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Navigating the Amazon and Caribbean with Viking: An Honest Review (2024)
• Amy Tull https://travelingtulls.com/author/amy-travelingtulls/ Elegance at Sea: An Authentic Viking Ocean Cruises Review

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29 thoughts on “ How to Plan a Sustainable Vacation: a green travel planning guide (2024) ”

Oh I love this guide! I’m always looking for ways to make my travels more sustainable! I can’t wait to put some of these tips into practice on my next trip – thanks so much for the great guide!

Thank you! I’m so glad it’s helpful. Let me know if you have other tips to help me!

I want to make my travels more sustainable, so this article was great… real treasure! And thank you for putting it together.

I love this guide! It is so important to be a sustainable traveller! And Costa Rica is such a good example!

Costa Rica’s work on sustainable tourism was one of my reasons for going.

I love these tips! I’ve been trying to travel more sustainably for a few years now, so I’m always interested in other people’s ideas.

Great piece. Very thoughtfully put together. I’m saving for later…and so sorry about your sister.

Thanks Laureen.

This was really well done. I am glad to see other put effort into sustainable green travel. Cheers

Thanks. I think there’s momentum towards traveling responsibly. (At least I hope so!)

Well they have started putting eco grades beside flights, so yes things are moving in that direction.

I have a master’s degree in sustainable tourism, so this stuff is after my own heart. So glad to see others are joining the conversation! Great article!

I am so sorry for your loss. But it sounds like the changes to your plans were great both for your sanity and for sustainable travel. It is nice to see how your plans changed – and it sounds like such a fantastic experience with all those wildlife guides.

I love travel planning and only travel itself is better. Sustainability is an important aspect of all that. Thanks for sharing tips to emphasize this aspect of travel planning!

I think it takes a lot of research and planning to make out travels sustainable, but it is worth it. And your article has some great tips, so great work! Saving it!

Lots of work, but it’s so important, isn’t it!

I love this post so much. Sustainable travel should be a high priority on any traveler’s list. Not only is travelling at lesser touristy times more sustainable, but it’s also cheaper, less busy, and therefore makes it a better time! Locally owned B&Bs, homestays, etc. is my favourite way to travel. In Asia, I tried to stay in as many homestays as possible and met so many incredible people along the way, not to mention tasted some awesome homemade food!!! <3 I especially love that you chose to support a charity on your visit to Costa Rica, what a lovely idea!

We haven’t tried homestays yet. Great idea!

Wow, you have a lot of great content on here. Thanks for sharing some really good details on green traveling. I was glad to see you covered combine traveling, since it’s one I am currently doing too. I’ll have to branch out to more!

We’re working on a combination destination trip ourselves! It’s a great way to travel sustainably as long as we fit in enough downtime.

This was such an incredibly helpful article. Thank you for sharing your insight. Looking to be more responsible in my future travels. (P.S. Those monkeys are too cute!)

Thanks! The monkeys thank you too!

I love living and traveling more sustainably. And Costa Rica is on my bucket list!! Great case study!!!

Thanks Tiffany!

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I am so sorry for your lost. I too lost a sibling to cancer this year. It was devastating. But I think travel can help you process and reflect in this time of grief. Great post.

So sorry to hear that, Terri.

This is so well done. I love how your aren’t just lecturing but using your real experiences. It’s a tough call sometimes to feel like travel isn’t damaging the world…we try more and more to go places less traveled…but then I wonder am I opening up a can of worms? Will others start to come and then what? Thanks for this thoughtful post. It really was well done.

Absolutely love your guide. As a travel writer myself we see how important it is to travel ethically and set the right example. Choosing the right local outfitter onsite as well as accommodation is essential. Also water… I was shocked by the amount of tourists buying plastic water bottles in Peru (day in and day out!) instead of traveling with a reusable one and a simple filter!

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The Mindful Traveller

Eco Travel Blog & Photography

Sustainable Travel Guide: What, Why & How

17 March 2022 · In: Sustainable Travel

Here is a  complete guide to sustainable travel  – an incredible way to explore the world whilst positively impacting people and our planet! 

How to explore with less harm and more positivity?

Sustainable travel may be a term you have heard before, but you still wonder what it truly means. In this article, I go into more depth into the meaning of sustainable travel, why it matters, and some tips to help you travel differently. 

Don’t forget to download your free sustainable travel checklist! ↓

10- Prioritise slow travel = travel less, stay longer

What does sustainable travel mean.

Sustainable travel means exploring the world whilst being aware of your surroundings and having a positive social, environmental and economic impact on the places you visit.

It could be by adopting more sustainable methods of transportation, staying in more environmentally friendly accommodations, eating local and seasonal foods, and avoiding harmful activities.

What is the goal of sustainable travel?

The goal of sustainable travel is to reduce the impact of tourism on the environment and local communities. It means avoiding over-consumption, contributing to the conservation of the environment and respecting local traditions and heritage to participate in their protection.

Ultimately, the primary goal of sustainable travel is to create a better and more viable long-term future for tourism, aiming for a beneficial ‘give and take’ relationship.

Why is sustainable travel important?

Sustainable travel is important as tourism growth has had negative impacts on many places – including the destruction of lands and wildlife, deterioration of historical sites, pollution, littering, price inflation and loss of authenticity. Despite this, tourism remains an incredible way to experience the world and its beauty, share and connect with others, and generate economic benefits for a local area – and these positive effects should be the priority.

Today, tourism, a $9 trillion industry, continues to grow. That is why understanding its impact is vital to ensure a viable expansion, and current habits must change. Creating safe and responsible travel to protect our planet and communities will become crucial over time.

How to be a sustainable traveller?

You can travel sustainably by being mindful of the consequences of your journey. Responsible travel is about adjusting your habits and behaviours and paying attention to your surroundings. 

For example, ask yourself: what is the impact of my flight? Does my hotel care about the environment? Does my tour operator support local communities? 

When you travel, always consider your impact first.

Although adopting a greener way of travelling is a beautiful opportunity to slow down and be responsible, it is not magic and does not happen overnight. But step by step altogether, we can make a difference and create a better future for our planet – whilst enjoying it!

Here are some sustainable travel tips to make your next adventure greener:

1- Consider the most sustainable method of transport

How to get to your destination without harming our planet?

That is a question I have asked myself a lot, considering how much I travel by plane. Whilst doing some research, I discovered (without surprise) that transportation pollution is a significant issue caused by tourism. Air pollution has steadily increased with the number of tourists travelling by planes each year, severely affecting local air quality and contributing to climate change.

That is why, when booking your trip, try to choose the greenest form of transport possible. 

• If you use a plane, take direct flights as much as possible to reduce your carbon footprint, as landing and take-off have the worst effect. You can also choose greener flights with Skyscanner . It has an option that only displays flights with lower CO2 emissions.
• Take the train when you can, as it is one of the transports that emits the lowest levels of pollutants. It is also a beautiful way to slow travel and take time to enjoy the scenery.
• Avoid cruises . Using boats may sound like a good idea, but they have proven to be the most pollutant for our environment. According to a 2017 study , even the most efficient cruise ships emit more carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometre than commercial flights. However, a cruise is another great way to slow travel, so what do you do if you care about the environment but are not ready to abandon cruises? Look carefully at the company website, consider a smaller ship, reduce your single-use plastic consumption and be mindful of your energy and water usage.
• If using the car, try carpooling like Blablacar (the more passengers, the lower the carbon footprint). If you decide to rent a car, go for an electric or at least the smallest vehicle that suits your needs.
• Finally, whatever your choice, use EcoPassenger to calculate the environmental impact of your journey. It will allow you to become aware of your effect and offset your carbon footprint when you get home.

The method of transport you choose to reach your destination will play a crucial role in your overall holiday footprint. However, it is equally important to be eco-conscious once you are there. Here are some other tips to help you reduce your impact: walk as much as possible, use a bike, take public transport, rent an electric or hybrid car or use small-group tour operators.

2- Book eco-friendly accommodations

Once you have booked your vacation, try to reserve a hotel or B&B that adopts eco-responsible practices. Many accommodations are working toward becoming greener by innovating and reducing their impact.

What is an eco-conscious accommodation?

Eco-conscious accommodations or sustainable hotels significantly reduce their environmental impact through green practices in maintenance, services, logistics, products, and supplies. The core elements revolve around reducing waste, saving energy, and decreasing water usage.

How to know if a hotel or guesthouse is eco-friendly?

Doing your research is essential. Go further greenwashing and find a responsible retreat that helps you explore your destination whilst leaving a positive impact.

Here are some guidelines to determine if a hotel or guesthouse is sustainable and using green practices:

• It has a sustainability policy : a hotel committed to sustainability will almost always have a sustainability policy on its website.
• It is committed to limiting its environmental impact : beyond the implementation of energy and water-conserving technologies, initiatives to look out for include an on-site garden that supplies the hotel restaurant, rooftop beehives, single-use plastic-free amenities, locally made furnishings, recycling bins in guest rooms, the use of eco-friendly cleaning products, and washing linens only on request.
• It works closely with the local community : sustainable hotels empower local communities by hiring local staff, using local suppliers, supporting sustainable community programs and integrating guests with the local community.
• It encourages guests to get involved : a sustainable hotel will inspire guests to follow their lead by incorporating interactive initiatives, such as offering reusable water bottles, free or cheap bicycle rental or shared transport options, and guest experiences that support local people and businesses.

To help you further, whether you are looking for a hotel or an Airbnb, you can use EcoBnB  or  BookDifferent to find your green accommodation.

3- Pack your suitcase mindfully

After choosing your destination and booking your trip, what you pack is the next step in reducing your impact. The best way to avoid waste and plastic when travelling is to arrive prepared. That is why considering what you bring with you is so important.

Here are some ideas:

• Reusable cups or mugs are the perfect way to enjoy your trip whilst having a positive impact, as they reduce the number of single-use plastic cups you need on your journey. Here are some brands offering light and eco-friendly cups and mugs: KeepCup , Circular&Co , and Klean Kanteen .
• Reusable water bottles are also a great way to cut down on single-use plastic and should become a must-have in your life, even when you are not travelling! Stay hydrated on the go with these incredibly sustainable bottles: Pure Panda , Jococups , and Sweet Bamboo .
• Whether you like climbing the highest peaks or walking around the city, organic and eco-minded clothes are practical, functional, and a great way to celebrate the adventurer in you. Here are some brands trying to make a difference: United by Blue , Toad&Co , and Coalatree .
• Travel towels are very helpful for any adventure. A quick-drying, antimicrobial towel made of eco-friendly fibres like the Trespass bamboo towel is a must-have and all-in-one option. It is also very convenient as it folds easily, takes no space, and requires less washing.
• Having gear charged on your trip is essential to capture your beautiful adventure and come home with memories. However, it can sometimes be trouble when you are on the road, and it also consumes a lot of energy. Here are some portable solar chargers you can easily take everywhere: Goal Zero and Anker PowerPort Solar .
• Travel tote bags are an excellent substitute for single-use plastic bags and can be very helpful for shopping or the beach! They are practical, functional and easy to take wherever you go. Here is my favourite one: EcoRight .

Check out  this page  for more inspiration on eco-friendly products & gear.

Other ideas:

• Cutlery and containers (reduce single-use plastic)
• Reusable straws (reduce single-use plastic)
• Zero-waste sunscreens (protect reefs and marine life)
• Biodegradable shampoos (reduce toxic chemicals)
• Solid toiletries (reduce water usage)

Looking to stay warm and dry in winter? Check out these top 10 ethical winter coats .

4- Use eco-conscious tour operators and activities

When travelling, being mindful of the activity you choose and the travel agent you select is very important for helping reduce impact. A sustainable tour operator offers travel products or services complying with high social and environmental standards. They focus on creating benefits for local communities, protecting the environment using conservation projects, and prioritising animal welfare.

It is essential that you do your research before booking an activity or tour. Only get involved in activities that benefit the environment, locals and wildlife. Also, try using local guides and look for authentic experiences to ensure your money goes into the local economy. Most importantly, never take part in activities that do not seem right!

• Look on the website for their practices and mission.
• Look for certifications : responsible tour operators are certified by a GSTC accredited certification scheme.
• Look for information on carbon footprint : responsible tour operators take measures to minimise their environmental impact.
• Look for animal activities : responsible tour operators do not offer activities or excursions with captive wildlife or animal interaction.
• Look for statements on local benefits : responsible tour operators benefit local communities with their tourism activities and are proud of it.
• Look for collaborations with local research and conservation projects : responsible tour operators prioritise animal welfare and environmental protection.
• Look at their group sizes : responsible tour operators will not go on an excursion with large groups but with small groups to create less impact.
• Look at the offered accommodations : responsible tour operators will not book your rooms in large hotel chains but in local small-scale accommodations.
• Look for sustainable travel tips : responsible tour operators are all about sharing their knowledge and want you to travel sustainably.

Some of the best sustainable tour operators:

• Intrepid Travel
• G Adventures
• Lokal Travel

Check out this article for more inspiration: Top Ecotourism Activities Around the World .

5- Eat locally and seasonally

When travelling, being mindful of what you eat is crucial to leaving a lower footprint on your destination.

Here are some tips for eating locally and responsibly:

• Eat vegetarian or vegan.
• Ask the locals where they like to eat.
• Buy your food at local markets and shop seasonally.
• And finally, avoid big resorts and go to local restaurants supporting farmers and sustainable products.

And if you want more, check out  HappyCow .

6- Shop and buy local

The souvenirs we bring home matter as much as how we travel. Being mindful of your shopping habits is another way to become more responsible whilst exploring.

Here are some tips:

Buy local and avoid big chain stores.

Shopping locally means less fuel to move goods and food long distances and less energy to cool warehouses and trucks. It also means more money stays in the local community, enriching neighbours instead of corporations in a far-off city or country. So buy locally made gifts to take home as souvenirs. It is better to take home souvenirs unique to the country where you are travelling, rather than something from a factory elsewhere. Local markets are also a great way to ensure you buy local.

Shop responsibly.

• Ask questions to find out more about the product and its origin.
• Go for vegan and decline objects made with animal products.
• Research eco-friendly boutiques and shop vintage.
• Reduce the use of packaging and gift wrap.
• Prioritise sustainable materials or buy second-hand.

Bring reusable shopping bags.

When you bring reusable bags to shop, you adopt a more eco-friendly travel lifestyle with less plastic and waste. Reusable tote bags are lightweight and easily fit in your suitcase, so do not forget to add one to your packing list!

Ask yourself: is it needed?

It can sometimes be challenging to differentiate what you need from what you want. Most of the time, we buy things because of temptation rather than necessity. Therefore, it is essential to ask yourself if you require the product you want to purchase or if the person you are buying it for will use it.

When buying clothes, ask yourself if you really need this item in your closet. Think about how often you will wear it. Always ensure the item will add to your collection and fill a practical niche. Any article that does not meet one of these criteria is not worth the cost to you or the environment.

7- Leave the place better than you found it

Always pick up your trash, or any you come across, avoid plastic at all costs, do not touch everything, be mindful of your water and electricity usage, stay on track when you hike, smile and be grateful to the locals for welcoming you.

Be mindful of cultural sites.

Over-tourism has generated dangerous environmental effects on our sites, and we have, for instance, observed many cases of path erosions over the past few years. Therefore, be mindful and considerate of the places you attend. Learn about them beforehand and respect them whilst visiting.

8- Offset your carbon footprint

Even if you have done your best to lower your footprint, it is still a good idea to offset your carbon emissions from your trip. BUT do not use carbon offset as a complete solution. Combine it with other sustainable practices, like prioritising other methods of transport, avoiding single-use plastic on the plane and mindfully packing your suitcase to be ready for your green adventure.

What is a carbon offset?

A carbon offset is an act of reducing or removing emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases to compensate for the emissions produced elsewhere. You can offset your carbon footprints by investing in carbon offset projects, locally or internationally, as a way of balancing your impact. For example, you can invest your money in a project in Costa Rica to offset the amount of carbon produced by your flight.

What are carbon offset projects?

Carbon offset projects allow you to invest in environmental or social projects to balance the carbon footprint of your travels. They help fight global climate change and care for local communities. For example, they can provide employment, health improvement, biodiversity, reforestation and broad social benefits to disadvantaged communities.

How to offset carbon?

To do this, visit an offset website, use the online tools to calculate the emissions from your trip, and then pay the offset company to reduce emissions elsewhere in the world by the same amount – making your journey “carbon neutral”.

Here are some companies you can use:

• Sustainable Travel International
• Cool Effect

9- Take action = volunteer, donate or share!

Take this opportunity to come back home and feel inspired by your adventure. Now is the best time to take action, whether by volunteering locally or abroad, donating to an organisation or sharing your experience. Speak up and share your sustainable travel experience with your family, friends and followers.

The more we talk about it, the more we will change the world.

Slow travel is a way of exploring the world that accentuates slowing down and connecting with the places and locals. This approach allows you to take more time to get to know a country and its culture on a deeper level, which can also mean travelling less but staying longer = quality over quantity.

Therefore, if you can, try to always stay longer in the destination you are visiting – for at least 3 or 4 days, and avoid day trips as they contribute to overtourism.

Shop the ultimate road trip planner

Create your dream vacation and live unforgettable eco-adventures on the road.

I hope this sustainable travel guide will help make your future trips greener. Remember, always leave your destination better than you found it and educate yourself as much as you can. You got this – one step at a time!

Want to know more?

• 10 Best Travel Apps for Exploring Sustainably
• Top Ecotourism Activities Around the World
• 8 Best Filtered Water Bottles for Travel & Hiking
• Carbon Offset your Flights: What, Why & How
• 10 Best Zero-Waste & Reef-Safe Sunscreens

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Do you have any other suggestions for travelling sustainably and reducing impact? Let me know in the comments below!

With love ♡ Lucie

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Reader Interactions

28 January 2023 at 10:20

This read is such an eye opener. When we talk about sustainability, sustainable travelling is lesser talked about subject. I didnt know cruise is the most pollutant for of travel. I sometimes wonder, does cruise or boats disturb the marine life. How can we offset our carbon footprint from travel at our home without investing in other ofset companies?

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How to Tread Lightly in Fragile Places

Organizing a responsible visit to sensitive areas like the Galápagos Islands or Antarctica involves research, decoding certifications and possibly a travel adviser.

By Elaine Glusac

Like the 18 other passengers on the ship Origin, from the expedition cruise company Ecoventura , I went to the Galápagos Islands in May to be awed by nature. Swimming with barrel-rolling sea lions, seeing a blue-footed booby chick peeking out from beneath its mother, kayaking with flamingoes and experiencing the meditative pace of a giant tortoise — all exceeded the goal.

Along the way, encountering the most beautiful white sand beaches I have ever visited, with no hotels, but plenty of sea turtle tracks and sun-bleached whale bones, I became awed not just by nature, but also by humanity.

Ecuador’s decision in 1959 to create the Galápagos Islands National Park has preserved an archipelago with some of the highest levels of endemism, or species found nowhere else. “I can say without hesitation over 40 years working in and out of there as a tropical ecologist, if the tourism control and management of visitors hadn’t been put in place in the ’60s, it would have been lost,” said Gregory Miller, the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Responsible Travel, or C.R.E.S.T.

Now it is also up to visitors to do their part to tread lightly in the Galápagos and other environmentally sensitive places.

Interest in sustainable travel is on the rise — in a recent Expedia Group Media Solutions survey of 11,000 travelers globally, 9 in 10 respondents said they looked for sustainable options when planning trips. In the same survey, 70 percent said they were overwhelmed by the process of becoming a more sustainable traveler.

When I was planning my trip last winter and keen to travel as responsibly as possible, Mr. Miller helped me break down the options through the lens of sustainability, which was time consuming. It took months deciding where, how and with what company to go; sifting through operators’ websites for sustainability practices; and committing to putting my money — triple my normal travel budget, in part because the Galápagos is not cheap — where my mouth is.

“Unfortunately, not a lot of sustainability is mainstream yet,” said Paloma Zapata, the chief executive of Sustainable Travel International , which consults with destinations and educates consumers in sustainable travel. “People, businesses and local organizations do not know what sustainability is and how to really fulfill those criteria.”

Here, she and other experts helped provide guidance for travelers who want to plan sustainable trips, especially to sensitive destinations like the Galápagos or Antarctica.

Defining “sensitive”

Fortunately, both the Galápagos and Antarctica make it easier to travel sustainably through their strong environmental regulations, including mandates to leave no trace on shore and ensure that all landings are guided. In the Galápagos, no ship may carry over 100 passengers; in Antarctica, vessels with more than 500 passengers are prohibited from making landings.

Sustainable travel advocates say their best practices apply everywhere, but in such ecologically fragile places — like Antarctica, which most regard as sensitive as it is the last great wilderness where humans have had little direct impact — the urgency is greater.

“If you’re going to walk the streets of Paris, that’s a different thing than Galápagos,” Ms. Zapata said. “When you go to highly sensitive places, be even more mindful of what you’re doing.”

If you buy new clothes for a trip, for example, clip the tags off at home. Or if you must buy a bottle of water, when finished, collapse it and take it home to recycle.

Mr. Miller argues for broadening the definition of “sensitive place” to include not just these pristine ecosystems, but rare areas or refuges surrounded by developed or degraded lands, including parks in East Africa and biodiverse preserves in the United States like Everglades National Park in Florida and Muir Woods National Monument in California, as well as socially sensitive communities, such as Indigenous ones.

“That’s where the traveler should be looking at travel and tourism as a privilege, not a right, where your choice matters,” Mr. Miller said.

Asking questions, vetting answers

Choice begins with research into the issues affecting the destination and asking questions of travel operators, according to C.R.E.S.T.’s responsible travel tips . Most companies that are working to protect the environment and support local communities will be transparent about it.

“I should be able to ask questions and they should have answers and know where to direct me,” said Erin Green, an agent with Pique Travel Design, based in Excelsior, Minn., who is on the sustainability committee of Virtuoso, the travel agency consortium. “If not, it tells me sustainability might not be a central tenet of their business.”

Answers should go beyond eliminating plastic straws and reducing laundry, which she calls “gimmes.”

“I’m looking for a specific attainable goal like cutting back emissions or going carbon neutral. Where is their staff from? Are they working with local communities? Where is the food coming from?” Ms. Green said.

Among operators, she singles out Lindblad Expeditions , the expedition cruise company, which pioneered non-research-related travel in Antarctica and the Galápagos in the 1960s, went carbon neutral in 2019 and serves sustainably sourced seafood (10-day Galápagos trips, from $7,710). Quark Expeditions has hired Inuit chefs on its summer cruises in Greenland and Canada, and Ponant recently launched a hybrid electric ship operating in the polar regions.

On land, Big Five Tours & Expeditions , which blends culture and adventure in trips to Africa, South America and other places, champions social sustainability by patronizing locally owned safari camps in Kenya, for example; its safari listings include an “Elephant Ranking,” representing each African country’s sustainability achievements. Natural Habitat , which runs wildlife-watching expeditions, has been carbon neutral since 2007, and in 2019 operated the first net-zero-waste trip in Yellowstone National Park.

For budget travelers, she recommends G Adventures , which has a “ ripple score ” for most trips that evaluates how much of the company’s trip expenses stay in the destination (it doesn’t score its Arctic or Antarctic expedition cruises). Trips with a score of 100 percent include an eight-day tour of the Galápagos (from $3,199 a person) and 13 days in Vietnam (from $1,999).

Beware of hollow incentives to do the green thing. Impact Travel Alliance, a nonprofit that argues for the positive power of travel, offers tips to avoid greenwashing, including looking for businesses that are active in areas like recycling, waste reduction and supporting biodiversity, not just talking about the topics or recommending that travelers buy carbon offsets.

“A $5 food-and-beverage credit to not have a room cleaned is effectively greenwashing,” said Justin Smith, the owner of the Evolved Traveler, an agency based in Beverly Hills, Calif., noting the reduction in housekeepers’ hours. “You’re causing more pejorative impact on the local economy for a minimal amount of energy savings.”

Checking certifications

For independent travelers, sustainable certifications can help identify responsible operations. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council, which sets international standards in the industry for sustainability, recognizes several certifying bodies for tourism businesses and destinations, including Bureau Veritas , EarthCheck and Green Destinations .

“Not every place has the means to be certified internationally,” said Ms. Zapata, who suggests looking at national certifications established by countries like Costa Rica and New Zealand.

The G.S.T.C. recognizes national certifications in several countries including Indonesia, Norway and Japan.

For alpine resorts, Mountain I.D.E.A.L. certification assesses a destination on more than 40 sustainability criteria, including environmental stewardship, adapting to climate change, addressing workforce housing and reducing greenhouses gases and waste. The Colorado ski towns of Vail and Breckenridge have qualified for the badge.

But with so much fragmentation, certifications can be tough to decipher. Check a destination’s website for information on sustainability. Aruba , for example, has distinguished itself for its use of solar and wind energy, powering roughly 20 percent of its needs. And the country of Jordan created a Meaningful Travel Map that identifies 12 social enterprises — including a cafe with food from a woman-led farmer’s cooperative and a Bedouin camp run by a local tribe — that it encourages travelers to visit.

Resources for planning

The carbon emissions associated with flying keeps any travel from being fully sustainable. Aviation is responsible for an estimated 3.5 percent of global warming , and while relatively small, it’s difficult to decarbonize. A White House initiative to promote the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel aims to meet 100 percent of demands by 2050.

Meanwhile, though, there are plenty of committed travel agencies, organizations and operators providing guidance to conscious consumers.

Regenerative Travel , a consortium of 30 independent hotels vetted for their practices in supporting local communities and the environment, recently switched to a subscription model, charging $99 a year to travelers who receive weekly and monthly updates on regenerative issues. Members get that $99 back in the form of a credit at any of the group’s hotels if booked for a minimum three-night stay.

“We work with incredible independents that don’t have the backing of large groups and financing to reach consumers and typically aren’t on O.T.A.s” or online travel agencies, said Amanda Ho, the chief executive of Regenerative Travel.

The Colorado-based OneSeed Expeditions operates adventurous trips around the world — such as hiking in the Himalayas and Patagonia — using local guides and earmarking 10 percent of its revenues to microfinance small businesses where it operates.

Now it is launching OneSeed Collective, a group of custom-designed trips from similarly minded operators that tend to be small, underfunded and hard to find. Its initial destinations under the Collective include Bolivia, India, Ecuador and the country of Georgia.

Its own trips address regional impacts, such as deforestation in the Himalayas and waste management at Mount Kilimanjaro. With Collective trips, “We’re doing the legwork to ensure that our principles align,” said Chris Baker, the founder of OneSeed Expeditions.

The agency Evolved Traveler recently introduced sustainability icons applied to each itinerary that represent activities or places that have positive social or environmental impacts or community engagement.

“By putting it there, we hope it sparks a client’s interest and gets them to talk to us about it,” Mr. Smith said.

Elaine Glusac writes the Frugal Traveler column. Follow her on Instagram @eglusac .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook . And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places list for 2022 .

And earlier version of this story misspelled the name of a Colorado ski town. It is Breckenridge, not Breckinridge.

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Green Global Travel

World's largest independently owned Ecotourism / Green Travel / Sustainable Travel / Animal & Wildlife Conservation site. We share transformative Responsible Travel, Sustainable Living & Going Green Tips that make a positive impact.

40 Green Travel Tips (The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel)

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies .

[Updated 12/16/2019]   If you took a poll asking people whether they’d prefer to be responsible or irresponsible travelers, most would likely choose the former over the latter.

But what does “Green Travel”   even mean? How do you do it? Do you have to sleep in a tent and cook on a solar-powered camp stove in order to be considered eco-friendly?

And how do you recognize it when a company that offers “Green Travel” experiences is, in fact, just greenwashing? 

The truth is that sustainable travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) is all about making simple choices in order to lessen your negative impact on a given destination.

Individually, each one of these choices makes only a small difference in the big picture. But collectively, becoming more conscious about these little things can have a huge cumulative impact.

So here’s an in-depth look at what Green Travel is, why it matters, and an extensive array of easy tips designed to help you travel more responsibly and sustainably.

READ MORE: What Is Ecotourism? (History & Principles of Responsible Travel)

WHAT IS GREEN TRAVEL?

When we started Green Global Travel back in 2010, the field of ecotourism was largely unknown to average travelers. It had not yet become the buzzword it is today, and was primarily a term used by insiders in the fields of responsible travel and conservation.

But green energy – renewable energy harnessed from sustainable natural sources such as sun, wind, tides, and geothermal heat– was gaining steam as a movement thanks to thought leaders such as Al Gore . Green living– the lifestyle that aspires to conserve and protect the Earth’s natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity– was beginning to grow in popularity.

“Green” became synonymous with “eco-friendly” or “environmentally conscious.” So green travel came into vogue as a broad term used to encompass ecotourism and responsible travel practices, which generally strive to benefit the environment and the social and economic well-being of the local people.

When done well, green travel is the antithesis of mass tourism. It’s all about trying to make smarter choices that help to mitigate the negative impacts we create when we travel.

We cannot control the carbon emissions of the planes we fly in, the chemicals used by the hotels in which we stay, or the plastics used in the souvenirs sold in the destinations we visit. But we can choose more eco-friendly transportation, hotels, tour operators, and shopping tactics that do less damage to the environment, and create more benefits for local people.

According to a recent TripAdvisor survey, nearly two-thirds of all travelers are increasingly inclined to make more environmentally sound choices and travel green. The problem is, how do we tell the difference between green travel and greenwashing?

READ MORE: How Mass Tourism is Destroying Destinations Travelers Love

GREEN TRAVEL VS. GREENWASHING

A play on the term “whitewashing,” greenwashing is defined as “disinformation disseminated by an organization so as to present an environmentally responsible public image.” In other words, greenwashing is about using marketing strategies in an effort to deceive customers into believing that a company’s products, activities, or policies are genuinely eco-friendly when they really aren’t.

As the green movement gradually began to enter the mainstream, countless companies proved willing to greenwash if it brought them the green they wanted most: Money. Adjectives such as “all natural,” “organic,” and “post-consumer recycled content” were rendered meaningless, as claims were rarely substantiated or verified by impartial third parties.

The travel industry was no different. Tour operators who promoted themselves as being eco-friendly still offered irresponsible activities such as walking with lions tours, elephant rides, and visits to Thailand’s Tiger Temple. So how are travelers to know whether a company is truly green, or just greenwashing?

• Truly responsible travel businesses will put the needs of the local people and environment before the needs of travelers, always striving to make a positive impact.

• If there is a voluntourism element involved, truly responsible travel businesses will work directly with local NGOs to ensure the program meets the needs of the community and are not just “feel good” experiences for travelers. Again, the primary goal should be long-term positive impact.

• Truly responsible travel businesses may be affiliated with international organizations such as World Wildlife Fund, the  Nature Conservancy , Rainforest Alliance, etc. They may also have certification from organizations such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council or the Center for Responsible Travel, which prove that they have met certain recognized standards for sustainability.

• Truly responsible travel businesses pride themselves on openness and transparency. Most will have details on their sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives clearly placed on their website. And any “green” company should be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about these initiatives.

READ MORE: Why Responsible Travel Matters (and Why It Doesn’t)

40 GREEN TRAVEL TIPS

What we’ve assembled below are 40 tips that EVERY traveler can use to make their adventures more friendly to the environment and the people and animals who inhabit it.

Most of them are ridiculously simple, such as using a refillable water bottle, putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door, and buying locally made products rather than imports.

But if every one of our 90,000+ unique monthly visitors gradually began incorporating these Green Travel tips into their trips , our collective impact could be amazing!

GREEN TRANSPORTATION TIPS

1.  Try to book non-stop flights whenever you can: It’s the takeoffs and landings that create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions.

2. If you’re traveling with family or friends and the destination is within driving distance, perhaps you should consider taking a road trip . But if you’re traveling by yourself, it’s actually much more eco-friendly to fly!

3. If you do fly, consider doing so with one of the 30+ IATA (International Air Transport Association) member airlines who offer carbon offset programs to neutralize the aircraft’s carbon emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects.

4. If you decide to drive to your destination and your car isn’t eco-friendly, consider renting a hybrid or electric vehicle, which use less fuel and produce less carbon emissions than gas-guzzlers.

5. If you have the time, traveling via bus, train, or ship generally has less negative environmental impact than traveling by plane.

READ MORE: List of National Parks By State (Epic Guide to “America’s Best Idea”)

  TIPS FOR CHOOSING GREEN HOTELS

6. When traveling in the U.S., check to see if the hotel has LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.  The program judges hotels on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection, indoor environmental quality, and innovation in design.

7.  When traveling overseas, look for seals of approval from other certification programs, such as EarthCheck (Australia), Green Globe , Rainforest Alliance (Latin America, Caribbean), and Green Tourism Business Scheme (UK). Some countries, including Costa Rica, have their own certification programs to rate sustainability initiatives.

8. Ask if the hotel has a recycling program. If not, encourage them to start one when you leave suggestions on comments cards at check-out.

9. Ask questions about the hotel’s sustainability initiatives, such as solar power, wind turbines, rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting, and low-flow toilets.

10. Find out what percentage of the hotel’s resources are local. Do they hire mostly local staff? Do they get most of their foods locally, or even grow them on the property? Do they use locally sourced materials in the décor? Companies that utilize indigenous resources tend to be more sustainable, as they’re investing in the local economy.

READ MORE: What is an Eco Lodge? (The Top 10 Eco Lodges in the World)

  WATER-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS

11. Take a BPA-free water bottle you can refill over and over again. Many international airports have free water dispensers, which saves you money and wasting plastic bottles.

12. Take showers, not baths. Showers use just 10-25 gallons of water, while baths use up to 70 gallons. Feeling frisky? Shower with a friend and save even more water!

13. Try to take shorter showers, turning the water off while you lather up, shampoo, shave, and/or brush your teeth.

14. Never use the hotel laundry, as they typically wash every guest’s clothes separately (even when there are only a few items). We usually wash our clothes as we shower, then hang them up overnight so they’re dry the next day.

15. Hang up your towels after each use, which is the universal sign that you’d like to use them again. You don’t wash your towels every day at home, so why do it when you travel?

READ MORE: How To Save Water (15 Conservation Tips)

ENERGY-SAVING TRAVEL TIPS

16. When you leave your room, always turn off all lights, heat/AC, and television. Closing the curtains and blinds can help keep out the heat of the sun in summer .

17. Leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of your room for the duration of your stay. This cuts down on chemical cleansing agents, electricity used in vacuuming, and the washing of bed linens.

18. Walk, bike, or use public transportation to get around whenever possible, which cuts down on gas usage and saves you money.

19. Return maps, brochures, and other tourist info once you’re finished with them so that they may be reused by future travelers.

20. Take any leftover soap, shampoo, or toothpaste with you. Unused portions are often thrown away, and you can reuse the plastic bottles in the future.

READ MORE:   Ted Turner on Saving the World With Alternative Energy

  GREEN HIKING TIPS  

21. Marked hiking trails are there for a reason. Stick to the path to avoid harming native flora and avoid any creepy-crawlies that may be lurking in the underbrush.

22. Bring along a small bag and pick up any trash you spot along your hike. Have a friendly competition to see who can clean up the most unsightly waste!

23. Never feed or touch wildlife, for any reason. Feeding animals makes them habituated to and reliant on humans, and often leads to attacks. If you get bit, the animal will most likely be killed.

24. Research weather conditions and terrain before you go hiking. You don’t want to be that guy (or girl) who got lost and required a ranger rescue, which drains public resources.

25. Keep a respectful distance from wildlife. Yes, we understand that you want to Instagram your encounter with a grizzly bear. But if you’re close enough to attract an animal’s attention, you’re too damn close!

READ MORE: 10 Best Hikes in the World (World Travel Bucket List)

  GREEN SHOPPING TIPS

26. Buy locally made (preferably handmade) products, rather than those that have been imported. Items that are flown or shipped in have a much larger carbon footprint, and who wants a cheap, cookie-cutter souvenir made on an Asian assembly line?

27. Don’t buy anything made from endangered plants/animals, unsustainable hardwoods, or ancient artifacts. Not only is it wrong, but you probably won’t be able to get them back through customs.

28. Take your own reusable bag when you go shopping. Plastic bags are SO 20 th century…

29 . Seek out indigenous artisans when you can. When you buy directly from an artist, you’re not only helping them feed their family, but in many cases you’re helping to preserve their culture. We’ve also heard some pretty amazing stories by chatting these artisans up.

30. Do not buy souvenir photos from anyone exploiting wildlife, such as the famous performing elephants of Thailand .

READ MORE: 50 Fascinating Facts About Elephants (For World Elephant Day)

ECO-FRIENDLY TOUR TIPS

31. Travel with small group tour operators, which tend to have less of an environmental impact. Membership in an organization like the Global Sustainable Tourism Council  is a good sign that the tour operator tries to conduct itself in a responsible, sustainable manner.

32. When snorkeling or Scuba diving , don’t touch/step on the coral or stir up sediment, as it can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem.

33. Ask your snorkel or scuba diving tour operators if they chum the water to attract marine life. Doing so can change the behavior of marine species, or possibly make them sick.

34. Find out how the tour operator gives back to the local community. Do they lease the land from locals? Do they hire local guides? Do they take a leading role in preserving the area’s natural resources? Community-based tourism   is the most sustainable.

35. Don’t take any tour that promises hands-on encounters with wild animals, such as riding elephants or walking with lions . If you do, you’re supporting an industry that illegally captures, transports, and abuses millions of animals each year.

  READ MORE: 7 Harmful Traditional Practices that Tourists Should Never Support

  TIPS FOR BEING A GREEN TRAVELER

36. Honor local customs. Do a little research before you travel to learn about the destination’s local cultural traditions, so that you can speak and behave appropriately.

37. Ask for permission before taking a photo of someone. In some cultures, taking a person’s picture is like stealing their soul. and in general it’s just common courtesy.

38. Learn the language, or at least a few important words. You don’t have to do a full Rosetta Stone course. But you’d be amazed by how knowing simple phrases such as “Thank you,” “My name is,” and “Please help me” will impact the way locals will treat you.

39. Give back. Whether you sign up for a full-on voluntourism vacation or work with a non-profit like Pack For A Purpose to provide much-needed supplies to local schools, it doesn’t take a lot of extra effort to make a huge difference in the local community when you travel.

40. Immerse yourself in the local culture. Be a participant, not just an observer. Half the fun of traveling is getting an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and try different foods, listen to different music, and explore different cultures. So, seriously, don’t be that guy who goes to India and insists on ordering a hamburger!   – Bret Love; photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett

If you enjoyed our epic list of Green Travel Tips, you might also like:

GO GREEN TIP #82: The Green Way to Organize Your Home

GO GREEN TIP #66: Spring Green Your Home

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The Beauty of Nature Travel

About the Author

Green Global Travel is the world's #1 independently owned ecotourism website encouraging others to embrace sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and going green tips for more sustainable living.

We've been spotlighted in major media outlets such as the BBC, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel Channel, Washington Post and others.

Owned by Bret Love (a veteran journalist/photographer) and Mary Gabbett (business manager/videographer), USA Today named us one of the world's Top 5 Travel Blogging Couples. We were also featured in the 2017 National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, for which we contributed a chapter on our adventures in Rwanda. Other awards we've won include Best Feature from both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Magazine Association of the Southeast.

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10+ Best Eco-Friendly Apps For Sustainable Travel and Lifestyle

I may earn income from affiliate links or partnerships in this post. I spend time to curate tours or products that align with my values. Thanks for supporting my work, at no additional cost to you.

Last updated on October 19th, 2021 at 06:02 pm

A re you curious how you can make your travel a little more sustainable? It can be hard to know where to start, which is why these eco-friendly apps can help guide you toward a more sustainable lifestyle and travel habits. Thanks to Meredith, eco-tourist extraordinaire, for digging in and sharing all these great apps with us! Make sure you check out her blog for more resources and pin this post, so you always have it handy. 

Eco-living isn’t as off-the-grid as some would like to think. Especially with sustainability trending in the wake of a global pandemic that shook most of us to our core. The good news is, though, that now the majority are self-educating on sustainable lifestyle practices. Further still, on how those practices can spill over into their travel preferences. Nowadays, innovators and environmentalists team up to design and deliver an eclectic mix of utilities, albeit by way of mobile applications. But, with these 10  eco-friendly apps, even the most stubborn of us can navigate our way to a more sustainable (travel) lifestyle.   [no_toc]

Can apps help you go green?

I know what you’re thinking; can apps help me join the sustainable living movement? Absolutely they can. They provide an informative starting point for those without any idea where to begin. Applications are still trending by way of smartphone usage on a global schematic, so jump right on that bandwagon. 

Need a little more direction than that?

Keep reading to learn about 10 eco-friendly apps best for adapting to a more sustainable lifestyle; in and out of the home.

WHAT WE’RE COVERING

Apps for Sustainable Lifestyle

Apps for Sustainable Travel

Discuss and Share

• Eco-friendly apps can help travelers embrace a green approach to both their lifestyle and travel trends
• One of the best ways to be a better traveler is to be more green at home!
• Green living at home and abroad? – Yep, there’s an app for that!

5 Helpful Green Apps for Sustainable Living

When it comes to sustainable living, start first by trying out My Little Plastic Footprint. This mobile app holds you accountable for your sustainable efforts – or lack thereof. Put yourself on a ‘Plastic Diet’ of sorts as this app helps you practice using less plastic. It takes it one step further by offering alternative methods to plastic use, two green thumbs way up for that. They say it takes 30 days to build a habit. Let My Little Plastic Footprint help you build habits that benefit our planet.

Secondly , if you are tired of having an abundance of paper mail cluttering your tabletop, try PaperKarma . Collect those unwanted envelopes, open and snap a picture of them, then upload it to the app. PaperKarma will automatically unsubscribe you from the sender’s mailing list, directly reducing your individual paper waste.

The third eco-friendly mobile app recommended for more sustainable living is Giki . Used widely in the United Kingdom, this app acts as a personal sustainable shopping companion. Scan thousands of products to discover if (and how many) Giki Badges the product has. Prioritize sustainable causes, too; avoid products not made with sustainable palm oil or that harbor harmful toxins. Giki Zero part of the Giki family helps you track and monitor your overall carbon footprint.  

Moving on to helpful app number four , reGAIN . Are you aware that more than 50 double-wide trailers worth of discarded or unused clothing wind up in landfills around the globe every single day? Every. Single. Day! Click To Tweet Let that sink in for a minute as you “replay moments you bought two of the same item. Sure, you got them in different colors, but you honestly only wear the color you liked best in the first place. 

Pro Tip: One of the best ways to be a more sustainable traveler is to life a more sustainable lifesytle overall. Think about ways these apps and other tools can help you alter your daily lifestyle, so your travel has more meaning!

With reGAIN, clothing from large retailers is offered to you with discounts on new buys in exchange for your old items. The older items are recycled, reused, upcycled, or used as combustibles for energy production. My jaw hit the floor upon discovering this one too. Piggybacking on this app, a bonus app I recommend for recycling is iRecycle . This app helps locate recycling facilities near you for those awkward items like VHS’ or CDs, and other technology. 

A few bonus eco-friendly apps 

Last, but most certainly not least, let’s talk about commuting. There are two options here – you’re welcome for another bonus app recommendation- to help reduce emissions: Bikemap and Commute Greener . The former provides over 1 Million cycling routes and comes equipped with voice navigation. The former tailors’ vehicular routes with efficiency and even suggests ride-share options near you.

Now that your interest is thoroughly peaked, let’s get to the good stuff; the travel side of sustainability. 

First up on this helpful list, is Green Travel Choice , often referred to as the GTC. Like Commute Greener, the GTC helps minimize the environmental impact of traveling by monitoring the emissions of globetrotting. Remarkable what can be done nowadays from the palm of your hand, right? Being able to choose alternative methods of travel as a direct result of your findings on the app can be empowering, to say the least. 

The second most recommended sustainable travel app is Refill . Tapping into a global network of locations supporting sustainability in the palm of your hand. Amazing. Reduce, reuse, and quite literally, refill commonly used items to reduce waste and plastic consumption. This is aces for slow travelers but suits all travel styles, too.

Continuing on the environmental footprint route, the third recommendation is Oroeco . Track your daily emissions during your routine of shopping, driving, and even energy usage in your home. The app provides gentle nudges to notify you when (and where) you can cut back. How amazing is that?

A few more helpful eco-friendly apps

This next suggestion restores faith in big businesses, Ecosia . This search engine actually helps save the planet. With 100% of proceeds being filtered to climate change research and resolutions, a minimum of 80% of those funds goes directly to planting trees. In fact, every new download of the mobile app plants a tree so go on, do something wonderful for the world. 

Pro Tip: Use the Ecosia app to research your next trip. Articles from some of your favorite sustainable travel bloggers , including yours turley, will come up! Using Ecosia you can search for sustainable ecotourism or tourism leakage !

It would be remiss to talk about climate change without also harping on Plume Labs: Air Quality , the fifth and final eco-friendly app recommendation. This handy app measures the air quality of all the international hotspots. Taking it one step further, the app also suggests potential changes in the air quality of a chosen destination up to 72-hours. Thought that cabin property was the best play space for the family? Better double-check that before making concrete travel plans.

Air Quality is a major concern around the world impacting health. Learn more about air quality and engage in a cool citizen science project to build your own air quality monitor at home. 

Aren’t you feeling more green already?

Which apps will you adapt to your daily life? 

With these 10 eco-friendly apps, a more sustainable lifestyle is more than within reach. That means doing our part to save the planet has become that much easier to execute on a daily basis. And that’s truly what we all want, isn’t it?

Download and become accustomed to a few of these helpful apps ahead of your next globetrotting or relocation adventure. Become part of the sustainable travel movement and advocate for the eco0-friendly approach to living and travel. So which of these 10 eco-friendly apps will you try first?

About the Author: Meredith San Diego

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10 comments.

Thanks for the elads on Green Travel Choice and Refill.. I am always looking for small ways to make changes and you have inspired me.

That’s awesome, I hope you enjoy the apps. I really like the Refill app – there are so many locations even in my home city of Munich.

I literally just downloaded all these apps. I’ve been trying to be more green and knowing my plastic intake and being able to research smart trips is so helpful!

Hey Nina, so glad that you found some new green apps that you can incorporate into your daily life for more sustainable travel.

What a neat share! I have not heard of My Little Plastic Footprint. Going to check it out now!

This is really helpful Susanna and Meredith! I did know quite a few of these, but it is always good to find out more ways we can make a difference.

That’s great you’ve already heard about quite a few of them – most of them were actually new to me!

I hadn’t heard of any of these apps before, but I do like to travel as eco-friendly as possible, so I’ll check out a couple of them!

I hope you find something that is helpful for you!

Love these and the focus on bite sized changes to help take more steps to sustainable living. I also like Closca (I don’t have their water bottle) for showing public water fountains – I would love to see some more developed apps on this (maybe you all know of more?!) and Forest which is actually for productivity but enables you to earn points that you can redeem for planting real trees.

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11 Top Sustainable Travel Companies That Support Eco-Friendly Tourism

These sustainable tourism companies give you endless ethical wanderlust.

Updated by Francesca Brooking

Edited & Fact Checked By Amber McDaniel

Updated September 7, 2023

We independently research all featured brands and products. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here .

We love to travel—but if you’re like us, the conflicting eco-anxieties and GHGs associated with globetrotting can cast a grey cloud over your grand adventure.

For a better way to see the world, discover our favorite sustainable travel companies that enrich not only your life, but the places you visit.

From conservation projects and off-grid lodges to all-inclusive safari tours, boutique hotels and bespoke luxury itineraries that really do help the local communities, the below eco-friendly tourism companies wear their green hearts on their sleeves.

Our Curated List Of The Best Eco Tour Companies For Responsible Roaming

How can the travel industry be sustainable.

It’s no secret that the tourism industry has its fair share of ethical and environmental issues. 

Carbon and fuel-intensive flights, over tourism, exploitation, animal cruelty—the list goes on.

Not to mention tourism leakage, a process in which most of the money generated by tourism goes into the pockets of billion-dollar travel companies rather than into local communities that need it. 

However, you don’t need to hang up your suitcase for good. If done responsibly, tourism can have a profoundly positive impact on both the traveler and the destinations they visit.

With the right planning or travel companies, sustainable travel supports livelihoods and funnels your money directly into the local economy. 

It allows small businesses to flourish, funds community projects, and helps protect the environment by showcasing its economic value if left intact. 

To us, the environment is already priceless, but what we mean here is that sustainable tourism (whether solo or with the assistance of eco travel agents and tour operators) can help conserve the natural world by preventing it from being turned into farmland or apartment buildings! 

While tourism still has a long way to go, sustainable travel companies are pioneering positive change in the industry. 

From employing local guides to offering flight-free holidays and measuring their environmental and cultural impact, these tour operators make sure they benefit every destination they facilitate trips to.

Keep reading to find our top recommended environmentally conscious trips and jump to the bottom to learn what we consider when planning a trip with eco-tourism and sustainable travel in mind.

11 Eco-Friendly Tourism Companies To Book Your Vacation With

1. responsible travel.

The clue is in the name with Responsible Travel . They’ve led the way in eco-friendly vacations and ecotourism tours since the turn of the century.

This eco travel agency has over 5,000 adventures on offer to destinations all over the world.

Choose from hiking, conservation, diving, kayaking, cycling tours or head off to track snow leopards, swim with the whales or cruise Antarctica.

Responsible Travel has a give-back program, which campaigns for positive change with NGOs and activists.

Its eco travel options focus on local culture and local people, making sure your money goes to independent businesses and supports animal conservation.

You won’t find any elephant rides or exploitative practices here. In fact, they’re an excellent resource for learning about the difference between ethical and unethical wildlife experiences. 

2. &Beyond

One of the top eco-friendly travel companies for luxury safaris, &Beyond goes above and beyond investing back into the local environment. They focus on small-group and tailor-made tours in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Indian Ocean.

If you’re keen to tick off the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino), you have plenty of ethical choices with their range of responsible luxury safaris in 11 African countries with 29 camps and lodges that all employ local guides.

Search for wildlife on the Serengeti, track the great migration, explore Masai Mara national park or glide in a hot air balloon over the Namib Desert.

One example is their Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana which has a state-of-the-art Tesla solar power plant that gives them 80% of their energy.

They also have a responsible travel policy which looks after the land, people and animals. Environmental projects in Botswana include rhino conservation, supporting local isolated communities and providing them with access to safe drinking water. 

Kynder cuts to the chase.

This eco-travel platform brings together the best hotels, cafés, bars and restaurants in Europe and the USA that are eco-friendly, humane, kind and community loving.

We’re talking kind to the planet, to staff, their locality and kind to you, too. 

Find the off-the-beaten-track places that make your sustainable trip, from coffee shops hiring only refugees to the coolest eco hotels and holistic retreats.

All hotels and hospitality establishments must pass a rigorous set of guidelines to be accepted onto their platform. 

That way, you can be confident that these small businesses are truly genuine. No greenwashing here. 

4. Undiscovered Mountains

Undiscovered Mountains is one of the top travel companies for sustainable tourism in the French Alps.

From skiing and snow-touring to building an igloo in winter to mountain biking, rock climbing and cycling in the summer, it’s all here. 

It’s possible to do horse riding, wildlife holidays, walks, kayaking and fishing holidays. Any active, outdoor adventure holiday you can think of, you will most likely find it. 

It has special packages for families and singles, so you can guarantee you’re always paying a fair price. 

Plus, Undiscovered Mountains only works with local guides, independent accommodation and responsible partners. 

Rest assured, all your hard-earned cash goes to the people who deserve it and those who help protect this stunning European mountain range.

5. Adventure Alternative

Among sustainable travel companies, UK-based Adventure Alternative is calling other mountain enthusiasts with sights set on remote, rugged adventures worldwide.

This responsible travel tour operator is based in Ireland but takes intrepid souls all over the world, from Borneo to East Africa. This is the company for you if you’re interested in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or making the trek to Everest Base Camp. 

For slightly more laid-back trips, there are also wildlife tours and safaris. 

As well as hiking and trekking, Adventure Alternative is a member of Fair Trade Volunteering. 

The sustainable travel company runs volunteering trips through Moving Mountains in various countries across the globe, which makes sure each project is needed and useful.

They also invest heavily in their whole supply chain, from local guides to community projects, and they works to a framework set by sustainable travel principles.

6. Intrepid Travel

While Intrepid Travel has been around for years, the eco-tourism operator is no slow coach when it comes to slow and sustainable trips. 

They’re not just a Certified B Corp , but the largest travel company in the world to become one.

They pride themselves on incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way they provide travelers with authentic and real-life experiences.

Simply put, these are small group trips all over the world, from Greenland to Oman that get you up close and personal with wildlife and cultural highlights with local guides and specialist experts.

You can book cycling, sailing or wildlife trips with them, too. There are family-friendly tours, expedition cruises, women’s expeditions, tailor-made itineraries, National Geographic expeditions and budget-conscious tours for those aged 18-29. 

Whatever your travel style, you’ll find your perfect eco travel experience. 

The Intrepid Foundation also supports 50 community and conservation projects all over the world. Plus, they cover all administration costs so 100% of your donation goes directly to the project of your choosing. 

7. Kind Traveler

Kind Traveler is a socially conscious ‘Give + Get’ hotel booking platform that empowers travellers to be a force for good.

$10 goes to a local community or charity close to where you’re staying, and you’ll unlock an exclusive rate at that hotel or destination across the US and beyond.

Kind Traveler is one of a growing number of eco travel companies that want to harness the power of routine bookings we already make and use them to benefit the planet. It’s a simple yet effective way to give back when booking your trip. 

An example of one of the best traveler companies that have implemented sustainable tourism policies, Kind Traveler’s goals are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): preventing poverty and hunger, protecting the planet, and promoting well-being for individuals and animals.

One of the top sustainable travel companies South America -bound travelers have, Aracari organizes eco-luxury holidays and boutique trips around Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador—including the Galapagos Islands.

In recognition of their ethical efforts, sustainable brand consultants Positive Luxury has awarded the tour operator the prestigious Butterfly Mark.

They’re also a favorite with Conde Nast Traveller, and their specialist guides are some of the best in the business.

They infuse all of their tours with environmental and social good, foster long-term relationships with local communities, help you reduce your environmental footprint, and ensure everyone gets paid a living wage.

Really experience Latin American culture with authentic homestays on Lake Titicaca or get access to exclusive local accommodation from Aracari’s black book of contacts that no one else has. 

For a more hands-on experience, spend time with community projects like Tierra de los Yachaqs, a philanthropic organization determined to preserve the history and traditions of local people in Peru’s Sacred Valley.

9. Rickshaw Travel

Rickshaw Travel has a whole host of independent and authentic trips that get under the skin of Southeast Asia.

Explore Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand with their ethical and impactful itineraries.

The global sustainable tour operator also offers trips to India, Japan, China, and Bhutan as well as destinations in Central and South America plus Europe and North America.

This company is all about meaningful travel experiences, meeting people and discovering unique local cultures and customs.

Choose to go trekking, discover landscapes by bike, tuck into amazing street food and meet the people that make an eco-travel trip an unforgettable experience.

Head out on a flight-free holiday with slow travel experts Byway .

This eco-friendly tour company arranges slow travel adventures across the UK and Europe by train, bike, ferry and foot – no planes in sight here. 

Their dynamic trip builder creates personal trips and tours based on your interests, while your virtual guide can assist with your journey via WhatsApp. 

Byway manages all your itinerary and bookings and comes up with the perfect sustainable tours for solo, couple, or family travelers.

We love their commitment to authentic travel without the carbon footprint of flying. 

All your accommodation is locally owned, too. Think: family-owned B&Bs and boutique hotels, all with the utmost comfort—and of course, fabulous breakfasts!

11. Earth Changers

Inspirational, transformative tourism is what’s on offer at Earth Changers , an online travel booking platform which features a list of environmental holidays whether it’s adventure, active breaks, or conservation trips. 

At the moment there are ten destinations which include the first-ever marine conservation reserve in Tanzania to Floreana, which is the smallest of the inhabited islands in the Galapagos archipelago.

You don’t have to book far-flung destinations either. Join an authentic mountain ranch in Croatia or do an adventure trip in Wales much closer to home. 

Earth Changers is a global eco-tourism project that truly has a positive impact, and you’ll get to meet world-changing pioneers along the way. 

How Did We Choose The Top Eco-Tourism Companies?

Eco-tourism and sustainable travel are often used interchangeably. 

So what is an eco-tourism company? And how does it differ from a sustainable travel company?

An eco-tourism operator tends to focus on low-impact, nature-based tours that conserve the environment through culture and education. 

Think gorilla trekking in Rwanda with Intrepid Travel, staying in an eco-lodge with Aracari or booking a conservation holiday with Earth Changers. 

Sustainable tourism is the umbrella term for eco-friendly travel. It’s based on the three pillars of sustainability: economic impact, sociocultural impact and environmental impact.

The idea is that travelers have the option to choose sustainable practices in all aspects of their trip. Kind Traveler’s hotel booking platform and Kynder are perfect examples of this. 

Let’s explore some of our essential criteria for evaluating each sustainable travel company.

Carbon Goals & Achievements: 

A truly eco travel company should prioritize carbon footprint reduction by offering flight-free alternatives, promoting train, bike, and ferry travel over flights.

If flights are part of the experience,they should be utilizing some of the best carbon offset programs to counteract the carbon footprint of those flights.

Sustainable Accommodations:

We want to explore with sustainable travel companies that curate experiences with eco-friendly hotels and restaurants, guaranteeing that your stay supports businesses that are kind to the planet and their communities.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

Respect for cultures being visited is an obvious essential, sustainable travel or not, but we also want companies that support local communities with meaningful cultural exchanges, fair employment of local guides, and additional investment in economic development in destination regions.

In other words, your money should be mostly staying in the community you’re visiting.

Pay It Forward:

We love to see charitable initiatives that give back to these communities in additional ways, such as supporting local conservation and social programs.

Closing Thoughts On Sustainable Tourism Companies

As you can see, eco-tourism and sustainable travel work towards creating an industry that gives back, uplifts local communities and protects fragile environments.

 They also provide you with much more authentic and rewarding travel experiences.

Have a green travel lover in your life?

Share this list of the top eco tour companies and spark their eco-friendly wanderlust.

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13 Apps Using Technology to Promote Sustainability & Change

Last Updated on May 2, 2023

Some of the best harmonies between technology and sustainability occur when everyday people are given the tools to make small changes in their daily lives. When combined, the impact of those two things has enormous potential. It’s all about the people power.

These new and established sustainability apps do just that; they allow any responsible traveler with a smartphone to do all kinds of things, like share a car in France, report illegal trash dumping in India, or find sustainable seafood in the USA.

Whether you’re traveling to any of the places below, or if you call one of them home, I highly recommend checking out these cool sustainable travel apps.

Table of Contents

How Can Apps Help You Travel More Sustainably?

It’s no secret that travel often has a significant environmental impact. From the carbon emissions produced by transportation to the waste generated by tourism, there are many factors to consider when trying to travel more sustainably. Fortunately, a growing number of travel apps are helping travelers make more environmentally conscious choices while on the road.

What types of apps can help responsible travelers make more eco-friendly choices? Some apps can help travelers find eco-friendly accommodations. Many hotels and hostels now offer green certifications, but it can be challenging to know which ones are legitimate.

Sustainability-minded travelers should also look for green transportation options. Some sustainable travel apps provide real-time public transportation information, which can be an excellent alternative to renting a car or taking taxis. While other apps help travelers find ride-sharing options for longer trips, reducing the number of cars on the road.

Food is another area where travel can have a significant environmental impact. Add travel apps on your phone to help you find vegan and vegetarian restaurants, as well as those that serve locally-sourced food. This not only reduces your carbon footprint but can also support local communities.

Best Apps for Sustainable Travel

Travel apps can be a powerful tool for those looking to travel more sustainably. From finding eco-friendly accommodations to reducing your reliance on cars and supporting local food systems, these apps can help you make more environmentally conscious choices while still enjoying all that travel has to offer.

Global: website | iPhone | Android

This very cool company is empowering cyclists worldwide with well over 11 million mapped cycling paths around the world. How to use this app for more sustainable travel? Responsible travelers can rent a bike when they land in any new city—and Bikemap has paths from Ireland to Israel—and then head out to explore powered by their own two feet. Worried there are no cycling routes where you’re heading? This sustainable travel app offers unique, user-generated cycling routes in 100+ countries. And if you land somewhere without one, why not help others travel more responsibly by adding it to the database.

Why support this sustainable travel app? Founded in 2014, Bikemap was created by passionate cyclists with the goal of sharing awesome routes with cyclists around the world. With nearly 8 million users worldwide, it’s a fair bet you’re going to have a good in-app experience, while also lowering your carbon footprint during your trip.

2. BlaBlaCar

Global: website.

Since most of us aren’t up for cross-country bike rides as a mode of travel transport, BlaBlaCar is a fantastic alternative when you need something either faster or more direct than a train, and far cheaper and more sustainable than renting a car. When I was planning a long weekend trip into France from my home in Barcelona, BlaBlaCar came out far ahead of the train because it shaved many hours off of the route, and there were three different trusted carpools heading to my designation on my preferred day.

Ride sharing hasn’t taken off in the U.S. as much as it has in other parts of the world—it’s quite common in parts of Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia. There are a few routes around major U.S. cities, but in general know that it’s a lot more common elsewhere on your travels!

Considering the company also offers bus routes along the most popular routes, it’s a no brainer to put this on your phone before your next trip. You’ll be amazed how it upgrades your transport options and adds an entirely new layer of sustainable travel.

Note that each country offers a different BlaBlaCar app.

3. HappyCow

If you’re vegan or vegetarian then you may already have this on your phone—it’s a great app to have as part of a sustainable lifestyle, not just responsible travel. That said, those who embrace “Meatless Mondays” can keep up the habit on the road, while also usually discovering a fun and different side to a culture’s cuisine.

The crowd-sourced review app has extensive information that has been collected, vetted, and updated by the global community since its founding way back in 1999.

If travel for you is about adventuring into the great outdoors, then Komoot needs to be on your phone. This sustainable travel app offers ready-built routes through some of the best-kept secrets near you. It helps you plan your routes, whether that’s an off-road biking route or some seriously adventurous treks—and everything in between. It also keeps you safe and prepared for your sustainable outdoor adventure with information covering your route’s surface, difficulty, distance, and elevation.

Like Bikemap, this is community-sourced information, so you’re getting some of the most on-the-ground local travel information possible. Talk about insider secrets!

5. Tap Hydration & Water Stations

Since carrying a reusable water bottle (and ditching plastic disposable bottles for good) is one of the very first steps most responsible travelers undertake, then the Tap app should be on the phone of every sustainable traveler. Tap is on a mission to eliminate the single use plastic water bottle by connecting water to the internet. Tap offers more than 250,000 locations in 100+ countries where you can refill your water bottle for free. It’s that simple. Open the app and find a water fountain or restaurant offering free, fresh, clean drinking water.

6. Localvore Passport

Localvore is a free app that helps users find fresh, local produce markets, open-to-the-public farms, and community-supported agriculture venues. The app uses a phone’s GPS location to provide a list of nearby food providers, and it also offers seasonal recipes to help users cook with the produce they purchase.

While the app is free to use, a paid membership offers access to special discounts and giveaways. Localvore is perfect for responsible travelers who love exploring a good farmers markets and eating at restaurants that use local produce, which reduces waste and supports local communities.

7. BookDifferent

Apps like BookDifferent make it easy to find eco-friendly lodging options that are verified by third-party organizations—powered by the megastar in hotel bookings, Booking.com , it’s a lot easier now than ever to choose more sustainable accommodations.

8. AWorld in Support of ActNow

Learn how to live the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals with the official app. This sustainable travel app encourages individual travelers (and anyone) to take action against climate change and live sustainably.

A Certified B Corp, the app provides daily tips to reduce one’s carbon footprint and helps track habits and activities to see detailed metrics of CO2, water, waste, and energy impacts. It features community challenges, educational storytelling, and helps discover nearby events and cleanups.

The app is the official platform in support of ACTNOW, the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability, and uses Impact Engagement methodology to generate real change. The app is a platform for learning, taking action, connecting to a global community and living sustainably one action at a time with thousands around the world.

9. FairTrip

Reinventing the travel guide, FairTrip is an app dedicated to sustainable travel. It allows responsible travelers to discover authentic and impactful places that have been selected for their positive social impact and support for the local community. Users can book accommodations, restaurants, and experiences directly from the app, with 10% of the app’s revenue being donated to impact projects in developing countries.

The app also allows users to share new places with the FairTrip community, which are validated by the FairTrip team before being added to the app. Users can also follow their favorite FairTrippers to find their favorite spots and never miss their new discoveries. With over 3,000 places referenced all around the world, FairTrip aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through responsible tourism.

10. Global Yodel

Worldwide: website.

When I travel, one of the first things I like to do is figure out what the locals like to do and where they like to do it. Locals have the best insight into their city, and following their lead has led me on some awesome and unexpected adventures. Global Yodel is an app (and site!) to connect travelers with a local’s perspective.

It’s part social media platform and part database of destinations around the world. With close to 1,000 places covered—from New York City to rural Australia and lots of places in between—Global Yodel is still growing. Have some knowledge to share? Check out their website for how to get featured.

Best Sustainable Lifestyle Apps From Around the World

11. irecycle, usa:  website.

Currently only for the USA, iRecycle hopes to expand soon. This sustainable lifestyle app helps you recycle virtually anything in your area. Have you ever tossed something in the garbage only to be plagued with the thought “ Hmm, can that be recycled?”  Most of the time, the answer is yes , but few of us know how or where to do it. Enter: iRecycle! It turns out, you can recycle anything from paint cans to old CDs. The simple-to-use app helps you figure out where and how!

12. Swachh Bharat

India: website.

This is one of my favorites new technologies. India is an amazing country—the food, the culture, the language, the people—I could go on. One of my favorite things about India is the thirst for knowledge and drive for improvement from the locals living there. India is known as the “Start-Up Capital of the World” for good reason. There is something invigorating about seeing so many people passionate for change.

I came across Swachh Bharat at a social enterprise event in Bangalore. The app’s simplicity and the practicality of the idea impressed me. Swachh Bharat  is Hindi for  Clean India . Across India, there are a lot of issues with infrastructure keeping up with the growing population. In most places, they have very poor trash collection/waste management systems. This, paired with a lack of education on recycling and litter prevention, leads a lot of trash. People throw candy wrappers and soda bottles on street and dump household trash on their corner, all of which is less than pleasant. It’s also illegal. Swachh Bharat allows users to take a geo-tagged picture of pesky, constant garbage piles. The app then routes that photo to the appropriate municipal department to both it clean up, and offer better solutions (dumpsters, recycling bins, etc.).

13. PaperKarma

Usa: website.

This is another app only available in the USA, however, PaperKarma has big plans. According to its website, for every 19 pieces of mail that the average person receives, only one piece is personal mail. The rest is thrown out, most unopened.

With PaperKarma, you take a picture of the address section, click submit, and the app automatically takes your name off whatever list it is on. It’s a way to unsubscribe from that junk mail arriving in your mailbox. The stats in PaperKarma’s infographic below are a great summary of the environmental problems caused by all of that junk mail.

With reporting by Cindy Vegetabile and Shannon O’Donnell

Shannon O’Donnell is an award-winning travel writer , speaker, and author of the acclaimed “Volunteer Traveler’s Handbook.” She’s been traveling the world for over 20 years, and is passionate about helping others use travel as a force for good.

She was the 2013 National Geographic Traveler of the Year for her work in responsible travel and tourism, and has appeared everywhere from NPR to the BBC to CNN as an expert in travel and international volunteering.

Matador Original Series

The Best New Services for Planning a More Sustainable Trip in 2022

N ext month, top delegates from around the world will convene in Glasgow, Scotland for the annual UN Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, to discuss what actions can be taken at the government and policy level to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. While we certainly hope for a positive outcome, it can feel frustrating waiting for these older (mostly male, mostly white) so-and-sos to make the decisions that will impact so many lives. Luckily, a lot can be done at the individual level to empower us toward a greener future, and that includes evolving our approach to travel. As the world waited in lockdown, dreaming of once again exploring distant shores, innovations in the travel industry emerged to make planning sustainable travel much more accessible.

We spoke to today’s leading experts in eco and ethical travel to learn which new tools and resources they’ll be using to plan their trips in 2022, here are some of their tips.

Defining sustainable travel

The best resources for choosing a sustainable destination, sites for sourcing more sustainable transportation, the best online tools for vetting sustainable hotels, the best apps for booking local tours and experiences, how to book more sustainable restaurants on the road.

Before diving in, it’s important to understand a more holistic definition of sustainable travel. “Mainstream media tends to focus on the environmental components of sustainability, but a holistic definition also encompasses social and economic benefits,” explains Kelley Louise, Founder and Executive Director of Impact Travel Alliance , a non-profit committed to helping people protect locals and the earth through travel. The company is currently working on a new platform to foster a global community of sustainable travelers. For now, you can join their Facebook group to mingle with other travelers and destination locals who will help you plan a more impactful travel experience.

Sustainable travel about looking at the bigger picture by understanding the smaller details that encompass life for people and wildlife in a given destination, explains Louise. “When you do that, it becomes clear how things like race, diversity, cultural preservation and local economic empowerment are all connected to improving our environment. The exciting part is that, in approaching travel planning through this lens, you’ll also be rewarded with more unique, immersive experiences.”

David Leventhal, the co-founder of Regenerative Travel , agrees with Louise. Referencing Project Drawdown , a leading resource for climate change solutions, Leventhal points out that, while things like carbon offsets get a lot of press, there are many more impactful decisions we can make about the places we stay, the food we eat, and the waste streams we contribute to when traveling. “The key here is to understand your overall impact,” he says. ”Every decision has the potential to be more positive for people, the planet and you personally.”

As a general guide to decision-making, you can reference climate expert Paul Hawken’s recent book and website, Regeneration , in which he outlines several questions to ask yourself before making a decision, things like ‘Does this action restore land or degrade it? Reduce poverty or expand it? Provide workers with dignity or demean them? And, in general, is the activity extractive or regenerative?

Understanding that sustainable travel starts with better decision-making, we’ve outlined the top sustainable travel planning tools according to the timeline of decisions we make when planning travel, beginning with selecting where it is we want to go.

Photo: Marina Poushkina /Shutterstock

Sustainable travel experts agree that, when choosing a destination, the first thing to do is avoid places that have historically suffered from overtourism . We all saw how nature was able to rebound in US National Parks without the constant crowds passing through. As travel begins to return toward pre-pandemic levels, individuals can help mitigate the worst impacts of overtourism by opting for lesser-known destinations — like a visit to one of the American Midwest’s most European towns , or a secret spot for the country’s best mushroom foraging . If you’re dead-set on getting that iconic Instagram shot Yosemite or planning a bachelorette party to Miami , go for an off-peak season date to avoid the crowds.

For some help in destination selection, Louise recommends soon-to-launch start-up, Fora , which will offer travelers in 2022 a marketplace of advisors to choose from who will work with you one-on-one to book a sustainably-focused trip. The company has a core focus on promoting women’s empowerment and economic independence.

Travelers can also consider visiting a place that has a formal geotourism program. According to the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.” These destinations have MapGuides made by National Geographic Maps that help connect travelers with localized experiences. Apart from this, CREST has helped to establish destination-wide give-back programs in Cape Cod, Monteverde, Costa Rica, and Grenada, West Indies. A visit to CREST’s impact tourism page will connect travelers with companies all over the world that have established community and environmental support programs.

Finally, travelers can reference the United States Travel Care Code while planning, which provides people with simple guidelines on how they can reduce the impact of their travel on the environment.

Photo: simona pilolla 2 /Shutterstock

By now, we all understand the connection between CO2 emissions and rising global temperatures, which is why Costas Chris, co-founder of Preferred Hotel Group’s new Beyond Green brand, encourages travelers to “walk, bike, take a bus, train and, only where needed, a plane,” adding that travelers should choose non-stop flights when possible, to avoid the heavy use of jet fuel for landings and take off.

Spinlister is a peer-to-peer bike-sharing app for those favoring a bike-tour of their destination. Using public transportation is another great way to quickly feel like a local and get an authentic, city experience. Our experts recommend CityMapper for determining the best way to get from point A to B. Alternatively, Google Maps recently rolled out a new update for US users that will automatically show users the most eco-friendly car route available. The platform also shows users public transport options, biking paths and walking routes.

When it comes to air travel, unfortunately, we’re a long way off from having a carbon-free option, which is why carbon-offsets have become popular with eco-conscious travelers. “ Tomorrow’s Air is a subscription-based service I use to invest in permanent carbon storage (helping to remove carbon from the earth’s atmosphere),” says Louise. “In addition, the Carbn app makes it easy to calculate your carbon footprint and then offset your carbon with vetted and verified programs.”

Louise also recommends Skyscanner’s greener choices label . “It’s the best option I’ve seen in terms of transparency for greener flights, and the label makes it easy to spot and book which flights are the most environmentally friendly.”

Photo: KKulikov /Shutterstock

Perhaps the area that’s seen the most innovation in past years is that of finding greener accommodations. Previously an epidemic of greenwashing in the hospitality industry made it hard to determine whether a hotel or resort was truly eco-friendly. Now, stricter accreditation practices and broader understandings of triple bottom lines — people, planet and profit — are helping people choose accommodations that truly have a positive impact on their destination.

Perhaps at the top of this list is Regenerative Travel’s directory of regenerative resorts. Going beyond “sustaining” a destination’s ecosystem, regenerative resorts are actually helping to re-grow wildlife, economies and individual opportunities for locals. Travelers can learn about the impact of their resort directly from the website. Founder David Leventhal also refers travelers to B-Corp’s tourism and hospitality directory. Achieving B-Corp certification is a rigorous process, and one that gets even more strict every year, so travelers can be assured that hotels and resorts with this label are meeting the highest and most current standards in eco-conscious hospitality. Alternatively, Green Globe is another globally recognized standard in sustainable hospitality, with a robust directory of verified hotels and resorts to select from.

The aforementioned and newly-launched Beyond Green platform from Preferred Hotel Group is another great option for sourcing more sustainable accommodations, with many properties in its directory overlapping that of Regenerative Travel. To date, Beyond Green members have restored more than a million acres of formerly degraded habitat into thriving ecosystems that are now protecting endangered species on land and sea. “It is all about impact,” says co-founder Costas Christ. “At Beyond Green, we have a very robust and challenging membership vetting process. We believe in walking our talk.”

While not all of its hotels achieve the highest standards of eco-hospitality, Kind Traveler is still a great way for travelers to make a positive impact on their destination. The award-winning platform is the world’s first socially-conscious, Give-and-Get hotel booking and education platform that empowers travelers to positively impact local communities and the environment in the destinations they visit. Travelers unlock special rates and perks when they give a $10 nightly donation to a locally vetted charity that positively impacts the visiting destination. The site also makes it easy for travelers to understand their hotel’s various green initiatives, as well as how it supports guest wellness and the health of its local community.

Photo: AnnaTamila /Shutterstock

Now that flight and hotel are taken care of, it’s time to map out a greener itinerary. “When it comes to planning sustainable travel, so much of it comes down to asking “where will my money go?” says Louise. “If you see that your tourism dollars will stay in the local economy and support local jobs (or even community programs and nonprofits), that’s a great place to start. But also take the time to research the company and see what values they operate under. Do they talk about their mission to be more sustainable on their website? Are they transparent about their goals? And, last but not least, think about the experience that the company is offering. Does it feel empowering to local people and the local culture? Does it preserve and protect the environment and wildlife? Looking for answers to these questions will help guide your planning so that your travel experiences align with your values.

When in doubt, shop local. Some favorite resources from our experts include I Like Local , a website that connects travelers to locally-led tours and activities, VAWAA , which offers mini-apprenticeships with a master artist in cities around the world and Airbnb Experiences , where you can find a wide range of unique activities led by local experts who love their city.

Photo: lavizzara /Shutterstock

For food experiences, try EatWith , an Airbnb-style, meal booking platform where locals invite travelers into their homes for a family-style dinner or cooking class. And keep in mind that, if you’ve done the extra work to book a certified sustainable or regenerative hotel, the on-site dining options at your accommodation are also likely to meet those same standards. For instance, not only do Beyond Green members adhere to sustainable sourcing and local foods at their property restaurants, many also have on-site organic gardens from which they will source many ingredients. For instance, The Ranch at Laguna Beach not only sources its menu items from California’s local farming community, they also partner with local restaurants in the area that share their philosophy of sustainable dining and arrange for guests to experience the best local, and values-aligned, eateries.

Finally, sites like OpenTable now have maps of Zero Foodprint and Eco-Friendly restaurants across the US, as does ocean-conservation organization Surfrider .

Of course, there’s also the analog option. “When I travel, I spend time asking locals ‘where would you go?’” explains Leventhal. “I back this question up with my taste for local, locally-sourced, farm-to-table, etc…My kids used to get embarrassed when I’d ask waiters, chefs, hostesses this question, but not anymore. I find that people who work in the food business generally know the types of places I am looking for. So I ask my waiter ‘where would you go tonight if you weren’t working?’ You develop great relationships with locals through these conversations and feel more connected to a place.”

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Explore the world, sustainably

We travel to satisfy our curiosity. To discover something new and make connections. Our travel experiences are essential to who we are.

TRAVEL IMPACTS OUR CLIMATE

It’s time to think about how our travel impacts the world around us

Greenhouse gas emissions, sometimes called carbon emissions or CO2e (carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas equivalents), include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and others.

From Nature

From Nature and IEA

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY CHOICES

The way we plan our travel has the power to make a change

COLLECTIVE ACTION

50% of travelers are making more climate-friendly travel choices

From Booking.com

Our travel choices, together with changes in the industry, help build a climate-friendly future

Flying for two hours instead of six saves about 65% emissions per passenger

Emissions are calculated per passenger. So the more passengers a flight has, the smaller each passenger’s share of the flight’s emissions.

• Where to go
• How to get there
• Where to stay

Choose where to go

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS

Explore nearby

Local adventures

Explore what’s around you. Visit a local museum or park you’ve never been to.

Nearby trips

When planning your next trip, consider traveling shorter distances. Explore a neighboring city, state, or country.

Further away

When visiting somewhere further away, travel direct or go less often to reduce your travel time

Choose how to get there

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY TRANSPORT

Alternatives to flying

When burning fuel, planes produce carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas equivalents (CO2e). Flying less, or not at all, means you avoid these emissions. This reduces the impact that your travel has on the environment.

Catch a train or bus

Short-haul flights are especially inefficient. Consider replacing shorter flights with a train or bus ride. Over a similar distance, trains and buses produce less emissions than planes because they burn less fuel. Electric trains or buses that use carbon-free energy sources are especially climate-friendly because they don’t burn fossil fuels.

Take a road trip

Compared to taking a bus, driving causes more emissions per person because a car carries fewer passengers. Even so, driving with passengers is a more climate-friendly travel choice than flying.

4 kg CO2e 4 kg CO 2 e CO2e stands for “carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas equivalents”. CO2e is a unit of measurement for emissions. It bundles together the impact of all applicable greenhouse gases and non-CO2 effects. × Per passenger traveling 100 km

19 kg CO2e 19 kg CO 2 e Per passenger traveling 100 km

25 kg CO2e 25 kg CO 2 e Per passenger traveling 100 km

From Our World in Data

The less fuel a transport mode burns and the more passengers it carries, the lower its environmental impact per passenger

Compare flight options

When traveling further away, it’s not always possible to avoid flying. but, consider which flights you take – some flights pollute less than others..

Choose Economy

Consider fuel efficiency

Contribute to the climate

Compare emissions for flights

Distance flying shorter distances typically burns less fuel, reducing the flight’s emissions ×, stops making fewer stops typically burns less fuel, reducing the flight’s emissions ×, cabin class the less space your seat takes up, the lower “your share” of the flight’s emissions ×.

Emissions are measured in CO2. CO2 stands for carbon dioxide. Emissions values are representative and do not reflect exact itineraries. Learn more about how emissions are estimated

Tree and electricity conversions from: EPA .

• Electricity

Aircraft features that affect emissions

Aircraft efficiency

Modern planes are more fuel-efficient than older models. Improved fuel-efficiency reduces a flight’s emissions.

Seating density

Seating density varies by plane type and airline. The more seats a plane has, the lower each passenger’s share of the flight’s emissions.

A CLIMATE-FRIENDLY FUTURE

In addition to the choices we make, many travel companies are committing to climate-friendly practices

As train providers invest in new rail infrastructure, expand their routes, or commit to using carbon-free energy, climate-friendly travel becomes easier.

Airlines continue to invest in fuel-efficient aircraft or efficient seating configurations to lower their environmental impact. Some donate to projects that remove carbon dioxide from the air, while others invest in sustainable aviation fuel research.

Travel providers

More and more accommodations and online travel agencies are committing to climate-friendly practices. You can usually find their pledges online.

Choose where to stay

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY

SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES

Sustainability practices & eco certifications

Accommodations identify these practices as opportunities to reduce their environmental impact, energy efficiency.

Water conservation

Waste reduction.

Sustainable sourcing

Recognized eco certifications.

Accommodations can also gain eco certifications. To be recognized as eco-certified on Google, certifications must be verified by independent organizations.

How is Google helping?

SUSTAINABLE WITH GOOGLE

INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS

CLIMATE-CONSCIOUS TRAVEL

GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY STANDARDS

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• Global Vision Awards

These Travel Companies Created Tools to Help You Travel More Sustainably

The Global Visions Awards honorees in this category can help you build more sustainable travel habits right from the moment you book a trip.

Jeff Chu is an editor-at-large at Travel + Leisure .

The Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards aim to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. Not only are they demonstrating thought leadership and creative problem-solving, they are taking actionable, quantifiable steps to protect communities and environments around the world. What's more, they are inspiring their industry colleagues and travelers to do their part.

Adopting more sustainable travel habits is easier than you might think, and it can start with the simple act of booking a trip. It's especially simple if you support one of the Global Vision Awards honorees in this category. The three companies — one online travel agency and two tour operators — give travelers near effortless ways to give back to communities and causes around the world. With a booking platform that incentivizes charitable giving, a subscription model for carbon offsets, and a diagnostic tool that measures the socioeconomic impact of a trip, the honorees on this list nudge travelers — and the industry at large — in a more responsible, conscious direction. — T+L Editors

Kind Traveler

Jessica Blotter and Sean Krejci, the founders of Kind Traveler , have created a travel-booking platform that offers a clever, easy-to-use system for both seeing the world and investing in making that world better. Make a donation to one of their vetted charities, and you unlock special rates for their hundreds of partner hotels. For example, if you're planning a trip to the Maldives and animal welfare is a cause close to your heart, a contribution of as little as $10 to the Manta Trust — which researches and protects threatened manta rays in the region — will discount your booking at Hurawalhi Island Resort by an average of $275 per night. One hundred percent of donations go to the chosen cause.

Intrepid Travel x Offset Earth

Going carbon-neutral may be a present-day preoccupation for many companies — but for the Australian tour operator Intrepid Travel , which takes tens of thousands of travelers on small-group escorted tours annually, it's very last decade. Intrepid achieved carbon-neutral status in 2010. By the end of 2020, it plans to become the world's first "climate positive" travel company through its partnership with carbon offsetting startup Offset Earth . Through this program, Intrepid hopes to remove more carbon dioxide from the environment than it produces.

But Intrepid's responsible-travel roots run even deeper: The company operates as a certified B corporation, which means it measures its success not just by its financial profits but also by social and environmental outcomes and public transparency. In 2014, it became the first tour operator to eliminate all elephant rides on its itineraries; more than 100 other travel companies have since followed suit. It also invests in more than two dozen projects in the locales where it runs tours, including an educational initiative for girls in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, reforestation efforts in Kenya, and kelp-forest conservation in Australia.

The Ripple Score by G Adventures

Done right, tourism "creates financial opportunities for women, youth, and indigenous communities, and empowers local people to protect their environment for future generations," Canadian entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip says. This vision is at the heart of G Adventures , the tour operator Poon Tip founded in 1990, which strives to maximize the positive economic impact of travel on communities around the world. Today, some 200,000 travelers take a G Adventures trip each year; the company organizes itineraries to every continent except Antarctica. Last year, it introduced the Ripple Score , a metric that tells travelers exactly how (and how much of) the money spent on a G Adventures package benefits the people and places they visit. In the cacao-growing Ecuadorian village of Shandia, for instance, local youths lead visitors on cycling tours. On Malaysia's Libaran Island, residents have received training in traditional craft and cookery, skills that enable them to benefit from the steady, lucrative market of visitors drawn by the island's nesting sea turtles. (The trips that feature these excursions earn a 98 and a perfect 100, respectively.) The Ripple Score lets travelers see how their presence in these places affects the people they meet — and thanks to a new program, Project 100 , 2020 will see 100 new tourism-related community initiatives that tour groups can support on the ground. Poon Tip says, "tourism can be a force for good — if we approach it in a responsible and inclusive way."

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17 Tips to Balance Sustainable Travel & Business Travel Easily

17 tips for eco-friendly sustainable travel business trips.

This post was originally written in 2021 and was updated August 23, 2022 to reflect the current travel landscape.

Sustainability matters to travelers. In fact, 83% of global travelers think eco-conscious travel is vital, with 61% saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future.

Although companies are scrutinizing the necessity of certain business trips and looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, you also have a responsibility as the traveler to make eco-friendly choices.

From the big changes such as energy-efficient cars for road trips, to the smaller swaps like using reusable cutlery (goodbye plastic straws! ), you can equip yourself for responsible travel.

It’s also worth considering that sustainability and responsible travel is more than the environment. It’s about communities and people too. You have the power to make a positive impact wherever you go and support the local people.

Here are 17 tips to help road warriors lighten the impact of their business trips and guide them to becoming an eco-friendlier traveler.

Planning sustainable travel

Making a trip more sustainable starts in the planning phase. Egencia helps travelers make eco-friendly choices by showing their carbon footprint for each stage of an itinerary, along with real-life examples for context. Here are steps you can take while planning to travel sustainably

• Book a non-stop flight Layovers are often cheaper than direct flights, but at a greater cost for the environment. On average, non-stop routes reduce carbon emissions by roughly 100 kg per person compared to the next best connecting option. That is equivalent to the carbon footprint of driving for 250 miles. Not to mention, a layover can add an extra day on the road and the possible loss in productivity, which will always be higher than the extra cost of a direct flight.
• Book rail instead of air Did you know there’s Wi-Fi on most trains? Rail may make more sense for regional journeys and often are less expensive than airfare. Even though rail may be associated as slow travel you can work remotely on the train and avoid the lines at the airport. There are currently so few renewable energy alternatives to traditional jet fuel, and none is expected until after 2030. According to the European Environment Agency , rail travel accounts for 14 grams of CO2 emissions per passenger mile, making it more of a sustainable practice than flights at 158g per passenger mile. In fact, the EPA reports that commercial airplanes and large business jets contribute 10 percent of U.S. transportation emissions, and account for three percent of the nation’s total greenhouse gas production.
• Choose hotels strategically Consider starting a green list of hotels that are committed to decreasing waste production and water waste. There are providers in the travel industry that are leading the way in sustainable tourism and resources available for navigating sustainability standards in lodging. Along with reviewing eco-friendly lodging try to choose a hotel close to the company’s or client’s headquarters or project sites, so you can walk or take public transit instead of having to rely on cars or taxis to get to your destination.
• Alternative ground transportation Choosing a rideshare, like Uber and Lyft, over a cab means the carbon footprint of a ride is distributed among more people. Public transportation is an even more sustainable choice. And nowadays, many cities worldwide have options for bike, electric bike and even scooters to get from one point to another. If you have to rent a car, look into sustainable options like hybrid or electric. Switching up your modes of transportation can help mitigate climate change.

Learn how to implement a carbon neutral program to offset your carbon emissions here.

• Pack light When flying, each pound of baggage adds a burden for additional fuel. You can choose a lightweight suitcase, and pack clothes that are made of lighter materials that they can mix and match. Lightening a bag by 15 pounds can cut 80 pounds of carbon emissions on a long-haul flight, which is roughly the equivalent of planting two trees.
• Pack toiletries in reusable containers Those little containers of shampoo and conditioner take a toll on the environment in numerous ways. Plastics are carbon intensive to make and have significant negative impacts on the environment. Business travelers can help by packing their own toothbrushes and toiletries in reusable containers so they don’t have to use disposable single-use items found at hotels. (Bonus points for using biodegradable soap and shampoo!)
• Reuse food containers Instead of buying a bag of chips or chocolates on the road, which come in not so eco-friendly packaging, travelers can pack their own in reusable bags.

Make it a sustainable stay

Responsible travel doesn’t have to end once you arrive at your destination. Here are 10 travel tips you can do to lighten your impact while on the road.

• Bring a reusable bag Plastic bags take around 300 years to decompose . They break down into tiny toxic particles that contaminate the soil and waterways and enter the food chain when animals accidentally ingest them. Tucking a reusable bag into a purse or backpack for items you purchase while traveling means you can take a pass on plastic bags. It’ll lighten your carbon impact and protect natural resources at your destination.
• Bring a water bottle and coffee cup Recycling isn’t always an option and more often than not what you put recycling ends up in a landfall. Researchers estimate that just 9% of all plastic waste ever created has been recycled. It’s no surprise that plastic water bottles are an environmental no-no. Every plastic bottle created takes ¼ bottle of oil to make; the amount of oil it takes to make a year’s supply of bottled water is enough to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year. So, replace single use plastic for reusable bottles and cups.
• Reusable utensils You may already be on top of the plastic water bottle situation, but have you thought about all the plastic utensils you use when you’re on the road? You can bring your own set of bamboo utensils (there are plenty of sets that come with a traveling case) and clean up in soapy water when you get back to your hotel.
• Reusable straws Plastic straws are another common source of plastic. You can find metal or bamboo straws that come with a carrying case and a cleaning wire that’ll easily tuck into a backpack or briefcase. The local ecosystems will thank you in advance.
• Opt for “Do Not Disturb” Laundry accounts for 16% of a hotel’s water usage. Skipping the daily laundering of sheets and towels can make a big difference in your traveler’s environmental impact during their stay.
• Turn off the air conditioning As tempting as it may be to keep the air conditioning or heat running all day, that choice can rack up carbon emissions . Heating and cooling systems account for 40-50% of a hotel’s energy usage. Encouraging your travelers to turn it off when they’re not in their room — and to open the window instead of using air conditioning — can make a difference.
• Turn off the lights — and computers We may be diligent about turning off lights when we’re home, but it’s easy to become more lax when on the road.
• Eat less meat While this tip isn’t exclusively travel related, it’s one to bear in mind when on the road (and when at home). Red meat is nearly 7 times as carbon intensive to produce than vegetables. Cutting out even one meat-centered meal a week can make a big difference.
• Eat (and drink) local Fast food and chain restaurants have higher carbon footprints than local spots sourcing regional ingredients. When you support independent cafés and restaurants, you contribute to the local economy and have the opportunity to learn about the local culture. Plus, you most likely will have better travel experiences.
• Buy souvenirs from a local source We can think local when it comes to souvenirs too. If you’re eager to pick up a memento, consider visiting local businesses rather than buying at a chain or airport souvenir shops. This way you can make a positive impact while supporting local communities.

At Egencia, we can help you take smart, practical steps to build a sustainable travel program that mitigates, reduces and offsets your carbon footprint. Learn more about Egencia’s sustainable travel initiatives here.

Looking for better business travel solutions? Get in touch with us.

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Go Green Travel Green

Travel | Sustainability | Living Responsibly

Best Eco Apps for Responsible Travelers

Best Eco Apps – While it is important to travel, it is equally important to respect the environment.

According to Responsible Center for Travel, there´s an increasing number of companies that want to help travelers to minimize as much as possible their impact on the destinations they are visiting.

But…Have you asked yourself what can you do as an individual to contribute to sustainable tourism?

Have a look at these top eco apps that will make it much easier for you whenever you go abroad.

Here’s a link to our article about 10 Best Eco Hostels

Eco Friendly Travel Tips to Take With You on Your Next Holiday

Good Guide: Buy your own values

“Eat, stay and buy locally”, says travel writer and journalist, Ondine Cohane.

Whenever we go abroad we need to remember something: Trying to minimize as much as we can the impact on the local culture and community.

One easy way to avoid all these practices is consuming ethical products and services.

Eat With: Taste local food with the locals!

Are you a food lover and a responsible traveler?

If the answer is yes, then this app might be something of your interest.

EatWith is an innovative app that helps people to get in touch with locals who are happy to show you the best of their cuisine and to invite you to have dinner in the heart of their living room.

This idea born in Israel, is something between a blind date and the food experience, says Guy Michlin, one of the app’s owners.

What if in addition to visiting a new country you decide to bring something for the community?

Back For Purpose is an app that has been designed with one thing in mind: the importance of caring about others.

Users just need to browse through the app and find participating lodges.

You will be able to find out which local projects are being developed within the community and what items you can provide from your home country.

Expedia App: Stay at an eco-friendly hotel

Who says that hospitality and sustainability can´t be a good match?

Finding an eco-friendly place to stay during your trip can be a proper challenge.

A good example of how the information is displayed on the screen is the A&O Berlin Mitte.

Once you have selected the hotel you will be able to see the information regarding its affiliation as a sustainable and green property.

Cabmix: Share your taxi with others

It’s an everyday practice in most countries of South America, however, we don’t normally do it when we go abroad.

Sharing a taxi from the airport to the center of the city is a brilliant way to contribute to responsible tourism.

The Catalan company, Micotuco, has launched an app called Cabmix that lets you find travelers also looking for cabs to get to the center of the city from the airport.

This is definitely a good way to meet people and save money.

Eco-Friendly Apps for Sustainable Travel

If you love to travel on a regular basis but hate the idea of leaving heavy footprints on the earth, you’ll love some of the many handy eco-friendly apps that are on the market.

For those who feel guilty about the environmental impact of their journeys, it’s time to check out some of the latest and greatest applications that make it simpler sustainable travel.

From apps that make it easy to find fresh, local foods or vegetarian restaurants, to those that help with public transport options, there is something to cater to every need.

Read on for five handy, eco-friendly apps you can try out.

Eco-Friendly Apps Sustainable Travel

HopStop Eco-Friendly App

When you’re traveling, one of the quickest ways that you’ll impact the environment is through racking up carbon emissions on flights, on trains, and in vehicles.

If you’d prefer to travel by foot or bicycle as much as possible, or to choose more sustainable public transport options, check out HopStop.

This free app not only helps tourists to navigate their way around a new location, but also to find their nearest train, bus, ferry or subway stop.

HopStop recommends walking or bike paths, plus public transport options.

Travelers can access up-to-date public transport schedules, as well as detailed maps and calculations of approximate trip lengths.

In addition, the app estimates the calories that travelers can burn when taking a route by foot or bicycle, as well as the carbon emissions that can be saved.

HopStop is currently providing information for over 300 cities around the world, with regions covered including the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, France, Israel, and the United Kingdom.

The iPhone system was named as a Top 10 Mobile App for Travel by Travel Magazine, and has been reviewed well by many other publications.

HappyCow Eco-Friendly Apps

HappyCow Veg Travel Guide

No matter whether you’re planning to purchase a flight to France or a bus to Barcelona, the Happycow Veg Travel Guide can help you to find vegetarian or vegan restaurants to dine at when you arrive.

This popular app is available for both iOS and Android gadgets and was designed by the people who run HappyCow.net , a review website and worldwide vegan/vegetarian restaurant guide.

The app covers more than 90 countries across the globe and is a user-friendly tool that makes it much easier to find meat-free dining options when traveling.

Users of the technology can filter results by location; browse a list of popular restaurant searches; and store their favorite venues for later access.

If you’re pleased with a dining experience, you can then upload photos of your meal and share your views via social media sites, text messages, or emails.

If you like to stick to fresh, local produce when you travel, the Locavore app, available for both Android and iOS devices, is the perfect choice.

The free application helps users to find out not just which fruits and vegetables are in season in the country at the time, but also the location of nearby produce markets, open-to-the-public farms, and community-supported agriculture venue.

The app uses a phone’s GPS location in order to provide a list of nearby fresh food providers.

Furthermore, users can enjoy cooking up a storm with the produce they purchase by using the app’s many seasonal recipes.

No matter where you are and what season you are in, Locavore can help you find food grown and produced locally.

Using your phone’s GPS, the app directs you to the nearest farmers’ markets.

It will also give you recipe ideas for how to use the seasonal veggies that you find.

And, if you want to share what you ate locally, you can link Locavore with Facebook. 

How to Become a Traveling Locavore

If you’re the type of person that loves to thoroughly research your holiday destinations, as well as carry around armfuls of travel magazines, you’ll be sure to appreciate the functionality of Zinio.

This free technology means that weighing down luggage with heavy magazines is a thing of the past — instead, customers can use the digital e-store and reader to download, read, organize and store as many magazine titles as they like.

Zinio features thousands of popular editions that can be downloaded as either single issues or full subscriptions, and titles can be managed and synced across multiple devices.

Users can also archive magazines by author, title or date of issue, and share articles with friends and family members using the service.

The technology provides a great way for frequent travelers and readers to help the environment by going paperless for sustainable traveling.

Animal-Free

Most people like to go shopping when they travel, but if you’re vegetarian or vegan it can be very difficult to feel confident about whether items are animal-free or not, especially in the supermarket.

Many labels have ingredient lists that can be very difficult to read and understand, but that’s where the Animal-Free app comes in.

The zero-cost system, available for both iOS and Android devices, can be used as a handy pocket reference guide to help identify both common, and often hidden, animal ingredients.

The app also features a bar code-scanning function that allows users to determine on the spot if an item might suit their needs or not.

Awesome Green iPhone Apps

Apple sold over 35 million iPhones in the first quarter of 2012, so it’s no surprise that there are iPhone apps for everything from shopping and hiking to recycling and eating local.

We’ve sifted through hundreds of apps and come up with this list of the top 10 green iPhone apps that make it easy to live and travel green.

With GoodGuide you can scan the bar code of products from any store and find out how green and socially responsible they are.

It’s a great way to confirm that the eco-friendly products you’re buying are as green as they say they are.

With iTrans you can find maps and schedules for trains and subways in several major cities.

I love that this app is available on and offline, so if your data isn’t working you can still check train schedules.

You can also set up push alerts on your iPhone for delays that that affect your route and commute time.

iTrans is currently available for the New York City subway system, New Jersey Transit, Chicago CTA, Chicago Metra, LA Metrolink, LA Metro, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PATH), Metro-North, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and DC Metro.

Carbon Track

All of our daily activities have environmental costs attached to them.

We love that CarbonTrack was created specifically for businesses to track their CO2 emissions from key business activities–like travel and electricity usage.

If you are traveling for work, or for fun, this app is a great way to determine which mode of transportation is most sustainable and environmentally friendly.

You can also use CarbonTracker to measure the environmental impact of waste, around the home or the office.

Want to keep your friends and family updated on your travels?

With hiCard you can take a picture with your phone, and then create a postcard to send via email.

With hiCard, you’ll be able to skip standing in line at the post office.

Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to share vacation highlights.

Cost: $1.99

TripSketch Green Book

The TripSketch Green Book is definitely worth the $4.99 price tag.

With ideas for eco-friendly travel in more than 80 cities across the globe, you can use the Green Book as a city guide to find nearby attractions and get directions.

Because all of the info is saved on your phone, you don’t need data or Wi-Fi to use the iPhone app.

Cost: $4.99

Recycling is an easy way to lighten your carbon footprint.

With iRecycle you can find out over a million ways to recycle more than 300 types of materials.

You can search using your current location, zip code, address, or city to find recycling centers in your area.

iRecycle will give you information about the recycling center including directions, hours, and what other materials they collect.

Green Outlet

If you’re looking to lower your energy costs and reduce your carbon footprint, Green Outlet can help.

This app helps you identify which of your household appliances are costing you the most to run.

Then, you can make decisions about how to cut down your electricity usage.

By selecting what appliances you use each day, and for how long, the app can also estimate your electric bill for the month.

Green Outlet is a great tool for frequent travelers; once you see how much electricity your electronics are using in standby mode, you’ll want to unplug when you leave for your next trip.

This app by North Face is especially handy if you like to hike and explore.

Trailhead will search over 300,000 trails, hikes, and bike routes and find one for you based on your location and preferences.

It also tracks your route, distance, speed, and elevation — all in real time.

This app provides a fun way to help you make green travel choices, which is why it landed in our list of the top 10 green iPhone apps.

With Twavel you can calculate the CO2 emissions associated with your travels.

You and your friends can compare your carbon footprint—hopefully helping you make eco-friendly travel choices in the future.

Best Airport Apps You’ll Need for Any Layover

Last month, I found myself with an hour to kill between connecting flights in Denver International Airport.

During the course of that hour, I used my smart phone no less than five times for specialized airport and flight information.

What airport apps did I find so important during that 60 minute period?

Read on for my pick of five best airport apps for any airport layover.

The first thing I needed upon touching ground in Denver was food.

I’d spent time in Denver International before, but when you see the inside of a lot of airports, they quickly blur together in your mind.

Was Denver the airport with that great bento place?

Did it have a Starbucks (well, duh), and most importantly, was I in the terminal where I remembered the Ben & Jerry’s?

GateGuru offers detailed maps and guides to over 85 airports worldwide, and it’s easy to navigate by category (food or shopping, for instance) or by terminal.

At a glance, I could see what food offerings were in the gate area I was already standing in, instead of hiking half a mile just to see what else there is.

Best of all, GateGuro is free.

FlightBoard

FlightBoard is $3.99, but saves you countless trips to the reader boards for departing flight information.

Instead of finding a screen, I checked my flight’s departing gate from my lunch table.

Since FlightBoard updates every five minutes, I am kept up to date of gate changes, too.

Is it just me, or do flights change gates more and more often these days?

Also, your airline might have its own free app with gate information — be sure to check that out, too.

If it’s possible to know too much, that’s what will happen with FlySmart in your app arsenal.

It’s such an extensive airport guide, you’ll know virtually everything your airport desk attendants know (and you can see how stressed they look).

The best part of FlySmart is it’s ability to load your full flight itinerary, making it easy to have all your information in one place if your travel day includes several layovers and gate changes.

FlySmart is free.

FlightCaster

If you like to borrow trouble (and yes, that’s me), FlightCaster will indulge you by predicting whether your flight will be delayed or on time.

I used it in Denver to double-check my outgoing flight after several at the gates nearby suddenly became delayed (turns out I was lucky).

How it works: FlightCaster uses an algorithm using real-time data, weather reports, and ten years of historical flight information to predict the likelihood of a delay up to six hours before those little digital numbers on the reader board change for the worse.

Your cost for preparedness: $1.99.

Wi-Fi Finder

An oldie but a goodie, Wi-Fi Finder is still one of the handiest apps to have while on the go, whether in airports or anywhere else.

This app will alert you to any businesses or restaurants that always offer free wifi, as well as any free airport networks.

And when it fails to find anything, here’s a hint: go sit next to an airport members-only lounge for their free wifi signal.

But shhh…you didn’t hear it from me.

Which do you consider to be the best airport apps?

If you’re looking for more airport and travel app ideas, check out our list of best iPad apps for travel.

We just love apps so much!

They are better for the environment — think about all those travel books we used to buy — and they are much more affordable too.

Best iPad Apps for Travel

We bit the bullet and purchased our first iPad earlier this year.

Since my husband and I both have MacBook Pros and iPhones, it felt a little bit like overkill. But we have been really happy with our purchase.

We both use our new tablet for reading eBooks and have found it is a great travel tool.

We’ve downloaded dozens of apps and use many for travel.

Best iPad apps for travel

Awardwallet.

AwardWallet is one of my favorite travel tools, so I love that they have an iPad app available.

AwardWallet is a great way to keep track of all of your travel loyalty programs.

It works with frequent flyer miles and hotel and credit card points.

You can see your balance and reward numbers, even when you don’t have internet connection.

There’s also a paid version of the app.

The major difference is that the paid version will display extra reward account properties and historical account balances, and you can export award balances into Excel.

To upgrade, you choose how much to pay; just donate how much the upgrades are worth to you.

Each donation allows you to access the upgraded features for 6 months.

Having all of your traveling plans in one place is a huge help while globetrotting.

I can’t count the times I have spent way too long searching my email for airline and hotel confirmations.

TripIt is an easy way to organize and share travel plans.

Once you receive your confirmation email from booking travel, forward it to [email protected].

The app recognizes the reservations and then creates a helpful itinerary for your trip based on all of your confirmations.

You can see it on your iPad or iPhone, sync it with your calendar, and view your itinerary on the TripIt website.

A pro version is also available and costs $49/year, but has a 30 day free trial period.

It monitors your flights for potential savings and sends helpful reminders while you’re traveling.

uPackingList

There are quite a few apps available to help with packing lists. uPackingList is a free iPad app that allows you to create a list of necessary items and customize the suggested lists to fit your needs.

You can check off the items as you pack them, ensuring that you don’t forget anything.

For short trips, I don’t usually create packing lists.

But that’s gotten me into trouble more than once so maybe I should start!

I always create packing lists for longer trips, especially overseas.

Developing a list a couple weeks before I leave helps me pack light ; the more I look over the list, the more I realize that I can leave a few things behind.

I find that packing lists are often helpful as I get ready to come home, as well, ensuring I don’t leave anything behind.

I appreciate that you can save lists with this iPad app, so if you take similar trips you have a personalized packing list already prepared for your next trip.

I love planning globetrotting adventures.

I’m always trying to think of new places to visit, so the SkyScanner app is one of my favorites on the list of the best iPad apps for travel.

I love that you can put in the “from” airport and SkyScanner will tell you how much it will cost to fly to dozen of cities around the world.

By selecting “explore” you can rotate the globe, seeing cheap flights for cities around the world.

This iPad app is sure to provide plenty of travel inspiration!

With OpenTable for iPad you can make free reservations at over 20,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada, and even the UK.

Just select your dining date, time, and party size to see which nearby restaurants have available tables.

You can see the results listed by proximity, or, if you prefer, on an interactive map.

OpenTable is nice because you can view reviews before you book a table for dinner.

Many restaurants even list their menus, making restaurant selection less risky for picky eaters.

Regardless of where your journey takes you, this list of the best iPad apps for travel will help you have an amazing trip.

Exciting Cruisers Apps For Enjoying Long Journeys

Bags packed- Check, travel guide and documents- Check, Smart phone-Double Check!! Cruisers Apps – Triple Check!!!

Long journeys can be thrilling, The Best Blue Cruise Routes, but if there is no other distraction, such trips can be extremely boring.

Here are ten exciting Apps essential for travelling, sailing holidays and cruisers apps.

You can also check out our list of 10 Awesome Green iPhone Apps.

Onavo Extend

This App uses data compression technique to shrink your data roaming charges by quite an extent.

It will even help the user to manage other Apps which are hogging data unnecessarily and keep the ones that are manageable.

18,000 Cool Jokes

This is one perfect app for long journeys.

It doesn’t need any internet connection and has a data base of jokes belonging to numerous categories.

For people who enjoy good humor, this app is a sure entertainer!

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger uses a cross-platform messaging system to exchange messages across the world.

This app is extremely useful when the traveler wishes to send pictures or videos to family and friends back home.

Travelers who are fond of reading books while sailing can download Kindle.

This app allows the user to download books when internet connection is available.

In short, it is a portable library which is accessible from anywhere you are.

Ben Stein: It’s Trivial

For people who are travelling alone, this app is a winner.

It has 1,000 trivia questions from several categories like culture, pop, sports, and many others.

The game becomes more interesting as stages pass.

Witty comments by Stein make the game an exciting experience for the user.

This app is extremely important for travelers who spend most of the time taking pictures.

It allows easy uploading of pictures on social media networks from where they can be shared with friends.

Also, the app allows the user to add some exciting effects to enhance the pictures.

Watching your favorite show at a foreign land or a cruise can be a dream.

However, it is not necessary that the television programs or the movies are in the same language as yours.

Travelers can download the Flixster app to browse movies or your favorite shows.

It also has an option to watch the movie in offline mode.

Adobe Ideas

Lovers of Art can download Adobe Ideas App to paint on their smart phones.

It allows others features like Photoshop, color precision after effects options to enhance the pictures.

Forgot to carry your canvas and paints?

Don’t worry, this app bags all the tools required for a perfect masterpiece.

JetLag Genie

Travelling can cause jetlag and a sure-fire way to combat it is to download JetLag Genie.

The app allows you to make a gradual transition to the new time zone(s).

You just have to add some basic information and the app would become a customized alarm clock.

Spotify Premium

What could be better than a nice travelling experience and your favorite songs in the background?

Users can stream and listen to their favorite songs even in the offline mode.

In addition, travelers can sync playlists on this app, making it a portable music player.

Best Translation Apps for iPhone and Android

We just love apps! They save us time, conserve paper, and are easy to “carry” with us.

most of us started traveling, it was necessary to haul around an entire dictionary in the language (or languages) along our routes.

I remember browsing through bookstores, searching not for the best language dictionaries to take on the road, but the thinnest and lightest.

It’s not a big surprise that they rarely were exactly what I wanted.

But these days, all that has changed.

Here’s our review of the best translation apps.

It’s never been easier to look up exactly what you want to say.

How to find the best translation apps

Thank goodness for smart phones and all the apps they can store!

Today, there are literally dozens of top-rated translation apps to use as international travel tools, but which to download?

The answer will come down to personal choice and need, but any app worth your time will have at least two of the following three features.

Voice recognition:

You may thing you don’t need it, but text-only translation means you will have to read it back to your audience.

Do you really know how to pronounce each word?

Non-WiFi dependent:

Many free language translators only work over a WiFi network.

But will you be connected at every point along your trip?

Memory or storage:

The best language apps allow you to save your conversations or at least store key phrases to call upon later.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best translation apps for iPhone and Android for your next vacation.

What are the best translation apps?

Google translate:.

One of the most dependable translation apps on the market, Google Translate is simple to use, straightforward, and best of all, free.

You can translate words from up to 64 languages, and you can type or speak your words or phrases.

Google Translate will then speak them back to you in the new language, eliminating the need for you to fumble verbally with unfamiliar words.

You do need WiFi or roaming to use the app, but if you plan ahead, Google does allow you to store anticipated phrases ahead of time.

World Lens:

World Lens is unique among best translation apps in that it allows you to take photos with your smart phone of signs or any other written language, which it then translates.

Especially helpful in airports, on busy streets, or in restaurants while ‘reading’ the menu, World Lens is quick, seamless, and WiFi is not required.

The only downside: you cannot save and store your images to remind yourself what a particular sign meant later.

It will cost you a small amount for each language, but if you’ll only need a few on a given trip, it’s worth the expense for the convenience and thoroughness of their databases.

Jibbigo is a speech interpreter, not simply a type translator, but it’s very easy and swift to use.

You simply speak your phrase into the phone, and it audibly translates in a very natural voice.

Your local language speaker then speaks back into the phone, which translates back again.

Think of Jibbigo as having your own personal interpreter along for the ride.

It does not require WiFi, and includes a basic dictionary function as well as typed copy of what it’s relaying aloud.

Jibbigo will set you back a bit, however:

Each language is purchased individually for up to $13.99.

But if it saves you time and stress, it could be a very sound investment.

iTranslate:

iTranslate offers a very straightforward and easy to navigate layout and can translate into over 50 languages (many of them including a voice feature).

Unlike many travel translation apps, iTranslate allows you to enter entire conversations of text at one time, if needed, and while it does need WiFi to work, you can store phrases and words to call up later.

Best of all, it’s nearly free.

Why nearly?

Many languages come included with the free app, but a few do need to be bought.

For $4.99, Vocre brings you 31 languages (in text and voice).

A nice feature includes the option to flip the phone 180 degrees for easier recording between two parties.

There are no extra fees for language packages, but you do need to watch for ads that pop up when it’s least convenient.

You’ll want Vocre or the aforementioned Jibbigo if you plan to be quite conversational during your travels.

Whichever translation app you download, consider adding at least one back-up (at least a free one) to your phone before you travel.

Apps can get buggy, and you never want to be without any type of translation tool at your fingertips!

What kind of travel apps are there

In addition to translation apps, we have used different types of travel apps for many different experiences, including 4 handy hiking apps and cruisers apps.

We’ve have used airport apps when on a layover and eco apps and eco-friendly apps to learn to be more green.

We also love our Fitbit app to track our steps walked.

We’ve come a long way from the days of hauling around dictionaries in multiples languages while traveling.

These best translation apps for your smart devices are so easy to use, and technology makes it easy to read road signs and menus and converse in foreign languages during your travels.

Whether your phone of choice is an iPhone or Android, there is a great translation app out there for you.

And apps are eco-friendly choices too.

Tips for How to Use Twitter for Travel

Earlier this month Twitter announced that it is now available in 28 languages, and millions of people around the world are active on the social networking site.

If you have been hesitant to jump on the 140-character bandwagon, here is just one more reason you should: It can be a great travel tool.

Whether you are looking for travel inspiration or ideas for what to do when you reach your destination, Twitter provides a wealth of helpful travel information.

Twitter is a Great Source of Travel Inspiration

Twitter can be a great place to get inspiration for an upcoming trip.

Use the search function in Twitter to search for individuals and companies that Tweet general travel related information.

Travel + Leisure, Budget Travel, and, of course, Go Green Travel Green are all wonderful sources of inspiration.

Once you decide where your next adventure will take you, you can look for location-specific information.

We are hoping to visit a friend in Israel soon.

A quick Google search for “Israel tourism twitter” resulted in a couple of accounts that Tweet information about areas in Israel to visit, general tourism information, and tips for travel in the region.

You can also use Pinterest to organize all of your travel inspiration and information.

Find Local Hotspots Using Twitter

While traveling, I want to get the most authentic experience possible.

Guidebooks and travel magazines are helpful, but I worry that they are sending me to tourist traps rather than the local hotspots.

So I love to use Twitter for travel and uncovering local treasures.

It’s a great way to find the restaurants that locals are raving about.

A few weeks ago, my husband and I were in Edinburgh, Scotland.

It was a last-minute trip and we had not done any research about what to see or where to eat.

So we turned to Twitter.

By searching #edinburgh, we found great restaurants that were off the beaten path.

Use Twitter to Find Travel Deals

Twitter can be a great place to find relevant travel deals for the area you are visiting.

Various “deal of the day” sites like Groupon are popping up all over the world, and most are active on Twitter.

By following them, you can find great deals on eating out, activities, and even hotels in the region.

By following your favorite airlines or travel search engines on Twitter, you will be the first to know about any specials or travel deals they are offering.

If you need special gear for your travels, following stores on Twitter can be a great way to find out about sales.

Stay Up-to-Date with Breaking News

Twitter can be a great way to stay up-to-date with breaking news while traveling.

The US Department of State is surprisingly active on Twitter.

Not only do they post travel warnings and alerts, they also respond to passport- and travel-related questions.

By following your favorite news sites on Twitter, you can stay up-to-date on the latest world news that could potentially affect your trip.

Here’s a list of news organizations on Twitter — you can follow everyone from the BBC and CNN to local and regional newspapers and TV stations.

Last year, as we were getting ready to drive through Malawi, we heard from a friend that there was a fuel shortage in the country, but we couldn’t find any recent news articles on the situation.

Once again, we turned to Twitter and Facebook and there were a lot of locals posting about the fuel shortage.

We learned that there had not been diesel fuel delivered to any gas station in the country for three weeks.

Because of this, we carried enough fuel in jerry cans to get us all the way through the country.

Other travelers were not so lucky; we met people that paid nearly $20 a gallon for black market fuel to be able to get out of Malawi.

Connect with Customer Service via Twitter

Have you ever had a terrible customer service experience while traveling?

Consider using Twitter for travel complaints. Whether you are trying to get your name changed on your ticket , or were treated poorly by a customer service representative, the social networking site is a great place to get instant help.

Many companies respond quickly when customers turn to Twitter to ask for help or voice their frustration.

Twitter Chats for Travel Information

Looking for an interactive way to discuss travel with other travelers?

Try Twitter chats — conversations based in Twitter.

Anyone can join the chat just by following and mentioning whatever hashtag has been assigned to the chat.

Think of it as a cross between Twitter and a chatroom.

Expedia hosts a Twitter chat each Wednesday at 10:30 am PST.

To join, just search and follow the #ExpChat hashtag during these times.

Just last week they gave away a $500 Expedia voucher to one lucky participant.

Travel Talk on Twitter (#ttot) is another popular weekly Twitter chat that happens on Tuesdays.

If you are heading to Mexico, every Monday is #MexMonday, where people discuss Mexican tourism on Twitter.

If you are new to Twitter, check out this guide put out by Twitter.

It will help you get started with an account so you can put these tips into practice!

How to Use Pinterest as a Trip Planner

It seems that everyone, from my journalist friends to my elderly neighbor, is raving about Pinterest these days.

Visually appealing and surprisingly intuitive to use, its vast array of user-generated “pinboards” make it a natural travel and trip planner.

Best of all, Pinterest meets multiple travel planning needs, taking your next adventure from conception to logistics (and even post-trip bragging rights).

Use Pinterest to Stay Current on Travel News and Reviews

You can explore the entire Pinterest community, of course, but as you realize the site’s potential, you’ll probably decide to narrow down the “pins” you see by interest.

If you have favorite travel bloggers you read, check to see if they’re on Pinterest (like Go Green Travel Green !).

“Following” will limit the pins you see on your homepage to those “pinned” and “repinned” by the users or boards you’ve subscribed to.

Find new boards that interest you by searching by board rather than category, and bear in mind that some are more active than others.

Several of my favorites include The Longest Way Home, Adventure Travel, and Family Travel Inspiration (created by yours truly).

While searching for great content to follow, don’t forget about travel industry brands and magazines.

While their pins may be more self-promoting than average, Pinterest’s creative and communal vibe tends to rub off on even the most corporate of travel brands.

A few I enjoy following: HomeAway (vacation rentals), the Travel Channel , and Budget Travel.

Pinterest pin on Green Travel Tips board

Use Pinterest to Brainstorm Potential Destinations

While the sky’s still the limit, get inspired by browsing Pinterest’s millions of travel images, all pinned by fellow travelers.

Search by general category (such as “travel” or “outdoors”), where you’ll see all travel-related pins streaming in real time, or use specific key phrases, such as “B.C. eco-tours” or “vegetarian restaurants in Brighton.”

All pins link back to the original web article or post that inspired them, ensuring you have detailed information on each destination at your fingertips.

If you like what you see, create your own boards to visually file all your favorites.

Categorize them by destination, wish list of locales you’d like to visit, or specific trip.

Pinterest to Organize Your Itinerary and Save Logistical Details

Once you’ve narrowed your search to a destination or formed an itinerary, Pinterest is an easy place to store all the websites and articles you accumulate in your research stage.

Since each pin on your board is represented by a photo, you’re instantly reminded of what each link features (say goodbye to bookmarking URLs just to forget what each one contains!).

Create a board for each trip in which you can store all your planned activities, restaurant picks, lodging choices, and maps, such as this one I’ve created for an upcoming vacation to San Francisco and the California coast.

As you find more articles, pin them in one click.

Bear in mind: you’re not limited to pinning Pinterest images; pin any article or website on the web by clicking an available Pin It button or downloading the Pinterest tool bar for your browser.

For instance, if you’ll be flying to your destination, and want to remember how to bid successfully on Priceline , pin it to a Travel Tips or Money-saving Tips board you create!

And since boards can be opened up to additional users, you can always seek collaboration: invite acquaintances from Paris to pin their favorite cafes to your Going to Paris board, or friends from Australia to pin less touristy beaches to your Gold Coast board for direct, local information.

Use Pinterest to Share the Love

Post-travel, create boards showcasing your photos, offering tips, or promoting your reviews in order to foster awareness of travel, inspire others, and educate.

Just be aware of intellectual property pit falls: as you pin or repin, be sure to credit the original poster.

If the pin originated from you, consider adding a specific description and category for your pin to make it easier for others as it travels the web.

After all, sharing and collaboration is at the heart of what Pinterest is all about!

Check out Go Green Travel Green on Pinterest.

Do you use Pinterest as a travel planning tool?

What travel-related boards have you created?

Which do you follow?

Paper-Free Guidebooks for Green Travel Alternative

We hopped on the bus to Tallinn, Estonia with nothing but our passports, wallets, and nearly-empty backpacks.

We need a Paper-Free Guidebooks to plan our Green Travel.

We had planned to buy tickets for the next day, but they were sold out.

It was either go now or don’t go.

We opted for the former.

Europe on a Shoestring didn’t do us much good sitting in our dorm room in St. Petersburg, but the next day we stopped by the tourist information office and skimmed a guidebook in a bookstore for the best attractions.

Our (guidebook-less) trip on whim was excellent.

Sometimes you end up in a place you hadn’t planned on visiting.

Other times your guidebook doesn’t cover all of the countries or cities you want to see.

And fewer guidebooks means less paper used, lighter packs, and a smaller carbon footprint.

Fortunately, there’s an abundance of guidebook alternatives for eco-conscious vagabonds – and other travelers, too.

NileGuide Trip Planner

A really cool trip planning website, NileGuide, launched yesterday. NileGuide lets you build your own PDF travel guide and itinerary for free.

If you don’t want to plan a whole itinerary, you can still click around and read the vast information the site offers on food, what to do, lodging, and nightlife.

TripAdvisor

I read online reviews for everything – from vacations to shoes – so I’m a huge fan of TripAdvisor.

In addition to helpful overviews and hotel ratings (including price), TripAdvisor has really great forums where travelers ask questions about upcoming trip and share experiences from past vacations.

TravBuddy is a social networking site for travelers.

On top of the community aspect, there’s also a ton of destination-specific information, including blogs, travel tips, connecting with other travelers, maps, things to do, and restaurants.

BootsnAll: Free Downloadable Paper-Free Travel Guides

Lonely Planet: Download Chapters

Lonely Planet now gives you the option of paying to download individual chapters from their guidebooks – which saves money and trees.

The selection is currently a bit limited, but their website says to “look for an extended range in early 2008.”

Available chapters: Caribbean, South Pacific and New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Central America, Mexico, South America, and USA.

Not yet available: Europe and Asia.

Rough Guides: Travel Books on your iPod and eBooks

Rough Guides has launched the iPod version of their popular guidebooks with free eating and drinking guides to 10 European and U.S. cities.

They also offer eBook versions of their travel guides, but you have to buy the entire book (rather than just the sections you might need) and they don’t include photos or maps – arguably some of the most helpful features of guidebooks.

Schmap combines travel guides and maps and lets users add reviews and content.

Schmap brings you digital travel guides for 200 destinations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The innovative technology behind Schmap Guides also lets end users publish their own ‘schmaps’ (to share trip itineraries, local reviews and more), and powers a popular range of Schmap Widgets, displaying maps with content and event schedules for travel, sports, concert tours and more on a fast-growing network of websites and blogs.

Rick Steves’ Europe

There’s something about Rick Steves that I just love.

Maybe it’s the Midwestern friendliness (is he even from the Midwest?) and his passion for Europe, but I can never change the channel when he’s on PBS.

And his website has lots of free information about European travel, including his review of the best destinations across Europe and travel tips.

Newspapers’ Travel Sections and Blogs

Search newspapers’ online travel sections and blogs for your destination.

They have an abundance of well-written information you can access for free.

Some to check out:

• Los Angeles Times and their Daily Travel & Deal Blog
• The New York Times and their Travel Q&A Blog
• The Washington Post and their Travel Log blog

Search About.com’s travel info by destination or activity.

It’s not the most comprehensive place to gather travel information, but it’s a good starting place if you’re doing preliminary research.

Talk to Fellow Travelers

In my post 13 Tips for Meeting Other Green Travelers , I outlined ways you can meet like-minded travelers.

Asking fellow travelers where they have been and what advice they have about those locations is great way to strike up a conversation.

Posting questions on travel forums is another good way to get information about your destination from people who have been there.

Tourist Information

Just about every city has some form of tourist information center with maps and info on local attractions.

Swing by one on your way into the city and pick up the info you need.

Or better yet, ask a hostel worker for his or her recommendations on what you should see and do while you’re there.

Bonus Tip: If you just can’t let go of the guidebook

If you really can’t live without guidebooks, bring just one that covers a whole country or region.

Like Lonely Planet’s Europe on a Shoestring

This one book got Elizabeth and me through at least 12 countries during our 2-month post-study abroad trip.

Photo credit: Lululemon Athletica – Delwin Steven Campbell – Yorick_R.

More From Forbes

7 ways to travel more sustainably.

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Sustainable travel can be fun, rewarding and not at all challenging

Sustainable travel is surging in popularity, but what does it mean? The vague term can refer to traveling in a way that’s conscientious of the environment and local communities, leaving less of an impact on a destination and perhaps even bettering the location in the process. Sustainable tourism, in many ways a reaction to overtourism, helps protect the planet, to ensure destinations are liveable and worth visiting for years to come. And while travel can certainly takes its toll, creating carbon emissions, waste and more, responsible tourism is an essential step in protecting the planet.

Sustainable Travel Tips

Responsible tourism helps the environment by limiting ecological impact, supporting indigenous wildlife, respecting cultural heritage, and not taking away from a destination as a visitor, be it removing a shell from a beach or littering on a hiking trail. Plenty of responsible travel itineraries are easily replicable, but many trips can be adapted to be more sustainable. There are so many ways, big and small, to travel more responsibly and sustainably. Here’s how to start:

1. TSA-Friendly Doesn’t Need To Be Earth Hostile

You can buy single use and tiny versions of pretty much every care product these days, but do you actually need to? Opt for refillable travel bottles to decant your normal products into, and you’ll always have TSA-friendly bottles of shampoo, lotion, whatever you need at the ready. If you prefer to travel without liquids, consider switching to bars of shampoo and conditioner toothpaste powder and other products, which are eco-friendly wherever you are.

Planning ahead can be a major factor in sustainable travel

2. Opt For Public Transit

Public transportation — buses, trains, light rail, etc. — is always more sustainable than a private ride. If possible, use public transit to get to and from your destination and learn your destination’s public transit system to navigate while you explore. Not only will you likely save money as well as lower your carbon footprint, you’ll get a taste of how locals live. If public transit isn’t an option, consider booking shared rides to the airport and excursions, or renting an electric or hybrid vehicle if driving solo is the only option.

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A bit of planning ahead can save considerable landfill waste. Bringing a reusable coffee cup for morning coffee runs and reusable water bottle will hopefully cut down the amount of single-use items you purchase on the go. Other easy to pack items including a reusable travel utensil set, reusable straws and reusable earplugs can help avoid creating more waste on the road. If you’re someone who discards beach reads, consider switching to an e-reader. Pack tote bags to carry souvenirs or other items purchased on the road that won’t require disposable plastic bags.

4. Eat Conscientiously

Eating local is the best way for your diet to support local eco-systems. Not only does dining at independent, small businesses (e.g. not chains), support local business people, but can often have lower environmental impact than major franchised restaurants that ship ingredients and supplies across the country. Making lower impact choices, including eating mostly plant-based, when possible, can also make travel a bit greener. If you don’t have anything to do with leftovers, consider ordering with a bit more restriction so you aren’t creating an excess of food waste.

Local culinary experiences can be healthy, fulfilling and sustainable

5. Book A Sustainable Hotel

Staying at a property dedicated to sustainability can make a big impact, especially by showing the travel industry that this is a priority for hospitality. Hotels are offered various certifications to prove their sustainable status, which can be achieved as a remote eco-lodge or luxury property in a major city. Several hotels are seeking LEED certification , the Green Hotels Association has a collection of vendors who prioritize sustainability, and the Leading Hotels of the World has a sustainability collection of five star properties.

6. Buy Carbon Offsets

While we technically can’t undo the damage we cause to the environment, there are initiatives to at least mitigate it. Carbon offsets allow consumers to compensate for their carbon footprint by funding projects that reduce carbon dioxide pollution. CoolEffect.org can help you decide how much to give, based on trip itinerary and logistics. For example, to offset air travel, a roundtrip, 6-hour flight would add about 1.89 tons of CO2 per passenger, and $31.17 of carbon offsets would help mitigate that.

Some airlines offer the option to purchase carbon offsets alongside airfare

7. Slow Down Your Travel

Slow travel is a buzzword that’s emerged in the 2020s, when work and leisure travel aka bleisure have melded more than ever, and the concept of working and even socializing remotely is totally normalized. Rather than a quick jaunt back and forth, slow travel emphasizes taking your time with tourism, be it living in a rental property for a month and enjoying the sights on the weekends, going backpacking, biking or hiking for an extended off the grid period, or traveling via train instead of air. Slow tourism has been proven to have a positive environmental impact .

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Mastering Your Journey with the Sustainable Travel Planner Guide

Introduction

Going on a journey isn't just about seeing new places anymore. It's like giving our planet a big hug! In today's world, travelers want to make sure that their trips are kind to nature. We all want our beautiful Earth to stay lovely for our future friends and family.

Our Planet is Speaking, Let's Listen! The wind whispers a special message. Travelers everywhere are choosing to travel in ways that care for the Earth. It's not just about seeing as many places as you can. It's about making sure those places stay amazing for everyone who comes after us.

Your Magical Travel Buddy - Triplay.ai: There's this super cool helper for all travelers called Triplay.ai. It's not just any helper; it's like a bright star showing us how to travel while taking care of our planet.

Explore with a Green Heart: With Triplay.ai, you can learn about the best ways to travel that are good for nature. Discover fun tips and ideas that make your trips even better, while also being gentle to our Earth.

Step Gently, Travel Kindly: The special thing about Triplay.ai isn't just that it's there. It's the way it helps make your trips more Earth-friendly. With its help, wherever you go, you can make sure it's in harmony with nature.

Join Us in This Green Adventure: Come with us on a trip that's not just exciting but also kind to our Earth. Let's plan our journeys to be as soft and gentle as a feather's touch. Say hello to green travel planning, the perfect guide for travelers who love our planet!

What Does "Sustainable" Mean?

Travel is a wondrous, eye-opening experience. Still, as with many things, there's a right and a whimsical way to do it. The term " sustainable " is a gem in the world of travel. But what exactly does it mean? Here's a delightful, simple-to-grasp breakdown for the modern traveler.

• Tread Lightly : At its core, "sustainable" means causing little to no harm. It's like walking on a beach and leaving no footprints. We visit places, we marvel at them, and we ensure our actions don't disturb their natural beauty or rhythm.
• Supporting Locals : It's about giving back. When you visit a place, consider buying local products. For example, instead of grabbing a soda, maybe try a local drink. You'd be amazed at the flavors and stories behind them.
• Keeping Traditions Alive : Every place has a story. A melody. An enchanting dance. Sustainable journey means embracing these tales and rhythms, not changing them. If there's a local dance, learn it! It's like dancing in a grand, worldwide ballroom.
• Economically Fair : This is about ensuring your travel choices benefit everyone. Opt for lodgings and activities where workers are treated well. Remember, when locals flourish, the entire community blooms like a flower in spring.
• Nature's Best Friend : Being sustainable is akin to being nature's confidante. Like gently holding a butterfly without harming its wings. Travel choices should protect flora, fauna, and landscapes.
• Conservation Crusader : Historical sites, monuments, and cultural hubs are delicate, much like an old book in a vast library. Sustainable trip is about preserving these stories for future generations.
• Think Green : Sustainable travel is green travel. Opting for eco-friendly options, like cycling instead of driving, is not just good for the environment but also a delightful way to experience a place. It's like smelling a flower instead of merely seeing it.
• Awareness and Respect : When we visit a new location, we are guests. And just as we wouldn't go into someone's house and rearrange their furniture, we don't alter the places we visit. Instead, we learn, respect, and treasure.
• A Continuous Journey : Sustainability isn't a one-time act. It's a serenade, a continuous song of love and respect for our planet. Every choice, every step, is part of this melodious journey.

In essence, "sustainable" travel is a dance. A delicate balance between enjoying a place and ensuring it remains untouched and beautiful for others to experience. As travelers, we have the power and the responsibility to be stewards of this magnificent world. It's a journey worth embarking on, where the true reward is the preservation of the world's treasures for generations to come.

What is a Sustainable Trip?

• Planet-Preserving Journeys: Ever pondered about journeying in a manner that keeps our blue gem gleaming? That's a sustainable journey for you. Instead of embarking on trips that tarnish Mother Earth's beauty, think of adventures that paint her in radiant hues.
• More than Just a Fad: Traveling sustainably isn't merely a trend. It's like choosing a timeless piece of clothing that never fades from fashion. You're not just exploring; you're showing respect to the very lands you tread.
• A Symphony of Choices: Every journey starts with a step, and in a sustainable itinerary, each stride is a harmonious choice. Reduce the melodies of harmful emissions, keep nature's chorus untouched, and let your travel song support local beats.
• Economy Boosters: When you travel in this thoughtful manner, you're not just a tourist. You're akin to a gardener watering plants, helping them bloom. By supporting local artisans, eateries, and businesses, you pour life into the locale's economic soil.
• Nature's Happy Steps: Think about it - what if instead of leaving dirty marks, you could leave behind happy, green steps? It's simple! By traveling in kind ways, like sharing rides, using clean energy, and staying in places that love nature, you're making a difference!
• Stories that Shine: Every place has its own stories, like old legends, fun customs, and amazing histories. Traveling the green way isn't just about being nice to Earth; it's about keeping those stories alive! By being kind and understanding local ways, we help those stories to keep being shared.
• Adventures with Heart: Traveling green isn't just about where you're going. It's about the feeling, the memories, and the bond. Think of it like a magic ripple - each little choice you make sends waves into the future, making things better for everyone.
• Local Magic: To really get to know a place, feel its heartbeat. When you buy things made there or taste the local yummy foods, you're not just making your trip special. You're also helping local folks and their communities grow!
• Resource Guardians: Envision a world where water remains clear, forests dense, and skies blue. That's the essence of a sustainable trip - safeguarding resources today for the tales of tomorrow.
• The Ultimate Travel Ethic: Like an author choosing words carefully, a sustainable travel planner picks actions thoughtfully. It's a commitment, an oath, a promise to tread lightly, act wisely, and journey with a heart full of gratitude.

In a nutshell, a sustainable journey is akin to painting a masterpiece. Every choice, every brushstroke counts. It's about crafting memories, not just for ourselves but for generations to come. So, as you pack your bags for the next expedition, remember to infuse your adventures with hues of green, strokes of respect, and shades of love

Why is a Sustainable Journey Important?

• Guardian of Nature's Delicate Balance Imagine walking through an untouched forest, hearing the whispers of ancient trees, and feeling the gentle touch of nature's fingers. Sustainable trip ensures that this mesmerizing orchestra of nature remains pristine. It's not just about enjoying the allure of scenic landscapes. It's about ensuring that the intricate dance of life, with its unique creatures and ecosystems, continues to flourish.
• Shielding the Earth's Diverse Inhabitants Our world teems with myriad life forms, from the majestic whales gliding through azure oceans to the delicate butterflies flitting among vibrant flowers. Sustainable journey stands as a bastion against the diminishment of these wonders. Every step taken with respect for nature helps in preserving this rich tapestry of biodiversity.
• Bridging Cultures with Reverence Imagine sipping tea in an exotic locale, as tales of ancestors and traditions envelop you. The essence of travel is more than just sightseeing. It's an immersion into the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. Sustainable journey ensures that this exchange occurs in a way that honors both the traveler and the host. It nurtures a deep appreciation without the shadow of exploitation.
• Bequeathing a Legacy of Beauty Picture this: A world where every corner, from towering mountains to expansive deserts, is a testament to nature's splendor. Such is the world we wish for our children and their children. Sustainable trip ensures that these breathtaking sights remain untarnished, waiting to captivate future generations.
• Sustainability: A Fun Adventure! When we talk about traveling sustainably, it's not about giving things up. It's like going on a happy adventure where every choice we make helps our beautiful Earth. Imagine seeing a bright and colorful sunset and knowing that our actions mean there'll be many more sunsets to enjoy in the future.

To put it simply, thinking sustainably is like being a caring gardener looking after a beloved garden. With soft touches and lots of love, we can take care of the world, making sure its magic lasts a very long time. So, as explorers of this amazing Earth, let's promise to always travel in ways that keep our planet smiling and singing its beautiful song.

Sustainable Travel Planner: Addressing the Challenges

The dilemma of travelers, 1. navigating the green path.

Picture this: Eager globetrotters, brimming with wanderlust, yearn to journey in harmony with Mother Earth. Yet, the labyrinth of eco-conscious travel often leaves them feeling adrift in an ocean of confusion.

2. A Quest for the Right Stay

Whisk yourself away to a dreamland, where you imagine quaint cottages and charming eco-resorts nestled amidst verdant landscapes. But alas! Our avid explorer often stumbles upon a mirage. In the vast tapestry of lodgings, spotting those genuine green havens becomes a Herculean task.

3. Rolling in the Eco-Friendly Way

Transport! Oh, what a conundrum! Picture a traveler, compass in hand, seeking paths less trodden. Be it majestic steeds (or bikes for the modern-day knight) or the whispered whir of electric cars, the quest for eco-aligned transit is akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

4. Activities: To Do or Not to Do

Dancing with the daisies or trekking through twilight forests, every adventurer has a wish-list. Yet, identifying activities that both serenade the soul and salute the environment? That's a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma!

5. Lighting the Way

Fear not, for every challenge bears the seed of opportunity. It's a tale as old as time; where there's a will, there's a way! Intrepid travelers, armed with a pinch of perseverance and a dollop of determination, can illuminate the path to sustainable voyages.

6. In Essence

In this grand theater of travel, one might wonder, "Is an eco-harmonious journey but a distant dream?" By no means! With every stride, twist, and turn, the sustainable path unveils itself. After all, as the age-old adage goes, "Every journey begins with a single step."

Information Overload

Navigating the labyrinthine web of travel information feels akin to a sailor facing a tempestuous sea. The sheer volume of choices and details create a maelstrom of decisions for would-be explorers. Here, we delve into the mire, illuminating the roadblocks faced and sifting the wheat from the chaff.

• A Deluge of Data In today's hyper-connected era, we find ourselves amidst a torrent of information. It cascades upon us like a waterfall. This overflow, while seemingly beneficial, can sometimes bewilder our senses, like a firefly lost in broad daylight. Travelers face a similar plight; deciphering what is true and what masquerades as truth.
• Lost in Choices Imagine standing at a crossroad with roads stretching infinitely in every direction. Each path proffers a promise, each turn a tantalizing tale. Yet, which road is genuinely green, and which is merely a mirage of eco-friendliness? The distinction is as delicate as distinguishing a zephyr from a gust.
• The True Green versus The Pretend Green For every genuine jade, there's a faux emerald. Travel options can sometimes be wolves in sheep's clothing, proclaiming their love for the Earth, yet clandestinely harming her in the process. Discerning travelers must become akin to detectives, seeking out the genuine gems from a sea of shiny pebbles.
• Sift and Winnow To traverse this maze, travelers must cultivate the art of discernment. Like a goldsmith testing the purity of gold, one must sift through the dirt to find the precious nuggets of truth. Adopt the heart of an inquisitive child, full of wonder and curiosity. Question, probe, and then decide.
• Hints for the Heartfelt Explorer For those with a heart yearning for a true sustainable trip, keep your lantern of vigilance aflame. The world of travel is vast, like an uncharted ocean. Yet, with the compass of knowledge and the map of discernment, one can sail through the stormy waters, charting a course towards genuinely sustainable adventures.

In the grand tapestry of travel planning, it's paramount to thread the needle with care, choosing options that resonate with one's eco-conscious heart. The journey might seem arduous, but with a pinch of patience and a sprinkle of wisdom, travelers can pave the path towards a greener tomorrow. The key? Always keep your heart and mind open, and never stop learning.

Triplay.ai: Your Sustainable Journey Companion

Introducing Triplay.ai, the game-changer sustainable travel planner. This AI-powered platform is designed to make eco-conscious travel accessible and hassle-free. FREE trial of a Triplay.ai utilizes advanced algorithms and vast databases to curate personalized travel itineraries that prioritize sustainability. It takes into account your preferences, budget, and eco-friendly criteria to suggest the best options for your trip.

Sustainable Travel Planner Tips

To make the most of your sustainable journey experience, here are some actionable tips:

Travel Light

Every journey embarks with a step and, often, a suitcase. But did you know that the way you pack can twirl a dance with the Earth's heartbeat? Indeed, the less cumbersome your baggage, the lighter the Earth sighs. Allow me to elucidate in the most captivating manner.

• Less is More - The Wizardry of Packing : Like the alchemy of turning base metals into gold, the art of packing spins around simplicity. Think of your suitcase as a treasure chest. Would you fill it with coal or select pieces of gold? Pare down your essentials, choose items that serve multiple purposes, and let your baggage be as light as a feather drifting in the wind.
• The Butterfly Effect - Travel's Delicate Balance : Picture a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. Each flutter matters. Similarly, each pound you shave off your suitcase sets a ripple in the cosmic pool. Less weight in transit means reduced fuel consumption. And in the grand tapestry of travels, this translates to a diminished carbon shadow you cast upon the globe.
• Sprinkle in Surprises - Fun Facts : A curious morsel for your contemplation: Airlines spend billions on fuel. Every extra pound on board means more fuel guzzled. By packing light, you're not just doing your back a favor; you're also lending a hand to our azure planet.
• Two Birds, One Stone - The Multipurpose Magic : Opt for items that play dual roles. A shawl that transforms into a picnic blanket. Shoes that switch between hiking trails and elegant soirées. By being a cunning packer, you create space for serendipity.
• Sing the Song of Simplicity : Let your travel tale be sung with a refrain of minimalism. Eschew the excess. Embark with essentials. The simpler your cargo, the softer your touch upon the Earth.

As you get ready for your next big adventure, pack only what you need. This way, your bags will be light and you'll feel great about it. Think of it this way: when you choose to 'Travel Light', it's like giving a big hug to our beautiful Earth. This helps keep our world wonderful for other young explorers like you in the future.

So, this isn't just advice for your feet as you travel around, but also for your big, caring heart. Happy travels, little explorer! May your trip be as fun as dancing under the starry night sky.

Support Local Communities

• Embrace Town Treasures : When wandering through unfamiliar streets and alleys, you're bound to discover quaint local businesses and craftspersons, brimming with stories and products born from the heart of their community. Instead of heading straight for the glitzy mega-stores, why not give these local gems a shot?
• Artistic Alleys Await : Imagine strolling down a cobbled lane and stumbling upon an artisan, skillfully crafting a piece of jewelry or weaving a traditional fabric. Supporting these artists doesn't only mean buying a souvenir. It's like securing a piece of the place's soul, etched with tales and traditions.
• Guided by Locals : Ever heard the saying, "To know a place, walk a mile in a local's shoes"? By choosing local guides for your journeys, not only do you unearth the less-explored corners of your destination but also directly uplift the livelihoods of those who call it home.
• Sprinkle Economic Magic : As you buy a handcrafted bowl or book a locally-run guesthouse, you're sprinkling a bit of economic magic into the place you visit. Your choices empower families, fund dreams, and help communities flourish.
• Tales Over Luxuries : Big brand hotels have their charm, true. But a locally-owned B&B will wrap you in tales, traditions, and home-cooked delicacies. It's more than just a stay; it's an immersive experience.
• Taste Authenticity on Your Plate : Ditch the popular fast-food joints and sit down at a local eatery. Dive into dishes crafted with age-old recipes, passed down through generations. Every bite is a journey, every flavor a testament to the destination's rich history.
• Shop Sustainably : Look for community markets where farmers and crafters display their wares. These are havens of organic, sustainable products, ensuring you not only shop but also contribute to the well-being of the environment and the artisans.
• Cultural Chronicles : Engaging with local performances, be it dance, music, or theater, offers an unfiltered lens into the heart of the destination. By purchasing tickets to these shows, you're directly fueling the passion and preservation of indigenous arts.
• Adventure Responsibly : Seek adventures guided by local experts. Be it a trek, dive, or a village tour, ensure it's spearheaded by those who've lived and breathed the very essence of the place.
• Lasting Legacies : As you depart, remember that your journey leaves behind lasting legacies. By consciously supporting local communities, you make sure those legacies are filled with stories of growth, empowerment, and sustainability.

In the tapestry of travel, every decision is a stitch, weaving stories of connections and memories. Let's ensure our stitches craft tales of love, respect, and sustainability for the places we tread and the communities we touch.

Reduce Plastic Usage

• Embrace a Trusty Water Container: When journeying, consider an eco-warrior best companion: the reusable water bottle. Not just any bottle, but one that tells tales of countless refills, adventures in diverse lands, and conversations initiated by its peculiar design or catchy quote. It stands as a silent testimony against those flimsy, one-time-use plastic bottles that find their way to oceans and landfills.
• Arm Yourself with a Unique Tote: Picture this: you're wandering in an exotic market somewhere in Morocco. The aromas, the colors, the bustling life! And there, you spot a craft or a delicacy you'd love to take home. Instead of reaching for the translucent plastic bag extended to you, proudly present your own distinctive tote bag, one that's journeyed with you from miles away. It's not just about refusing that one plastic bag. It's about the story you convey and the impression you leave behind.
• Adventures with Less Plastic: Think of the dance of leaves in the wind, the cascade of water in rivulets down mountains, or the vast expanses of golden sands. Now, imagine them littered with plastic refuse. A disheartening picture, isn't it? By simply choosing to gear up with items that resist the plastic epidemic, you can save these wonders for generations to come.
• Water Wonders: Did you know that in some places, there are water fountains specifically designed for refilling reusable bottles? Such quaint additions to streets, parks, and squares are as enchanting as they are practical. Seek them out! They're hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, and they bless you with fresh water without the curse of added plastic.
• Beyond Just Convenience: Many might argue, "But single-use plastics are so convenient!" Yet, isn't there a peculiar charm in objects that endure, that share our journey, and that have a story to tell? A reusable water bottle or tote, for instance, may very well become an artifact of your tales, akin to a feathered quill that's penned countless stories.
• Share the Wisdom: Every time someone inquires or marvels at your reusable gems, share a slice of your story. Talk about that spring where you refill your bottle in the Alps, or the souk where your tote bag became the center of attention. In doing so, you're not just recounting tales, but sowing the seeds of a sustainable journey.
• A Silent Revolution: Remember, every refusal of single-use plastic, though silent, is a bold statement. It's an act of defiance against the norm, a small revolution. Let your travel gear echo that sentiment.

As wanderers of this Earth, let's cradle it with care and tenderness. By adopting just these few practices, we can ensure that the beauty and allure of our favorite destinations remain untainted. Travel, explore, but let's leave nothing behind except memories and take nothing but photographs and sustainable practices.

Choose Direct Flights

The world unfolds before our eager eyes when we decide to explore its vast wonders. And as travelers, there's an inherent desire not just to discover these marvels, but to do so in a manner that respects Mother Earth. One shimmering star in this constellation of green choices? Direct flights .

• Planet-Saving with Simplicity: Imagine a lovely bird, like a sleek albatross, soaring directly from Point A to Point B. Now, this bird doesn't zigzag. It doesn't take detours or make unnecessary stops. It chooses the straight path, conserving energy. Much in the same vein, direct flights echo this wisdom. They're like the albatross, they take the direct route, which surprisingly, sips less fuel than the ones that hop from place to place.
• Trimming the Carbon Waistline: Have you ever pondered why flying straight would be more eco-friendly? Here's a tidbit: The crescendo and diminuendo of airplanes - that is, the takeoff and landing - eat up a good chunk of fuel. When you opt for connecting flights, your plane repeats this fuel-guzzling routine multiple times. In contrast, a direct flight, with its one-time ascent and descent, is like savoring a single piece of chocolate rather than binge-eating a whole box!
• The Green Bonus - Time Saving: Ah, the old adage, “Time is gold.” Well, in our case, it's green gold. Going direct not only lessens your carbon footprint but also saves you those precious hours. Think of it! More moments to relish the destination's peculiar wonders and less time dawdling in airports.
• Spotlights on the Destination: And speaking of destinations, why not embellish our anticipation by learning some mesmerizing facts about where we're headed? For example, if you're flying directly to Bali , did you know that amidst its famed beaches lies the hidden treasure of the Tegallalang Rice Terraces? Glistening in the sun, these terraced fields are a testament to age-old traditions.
• The Child's Play Perspective: Choosing direct might sound like a grown-up decision, but at its core, it's child's play. It's the simplicity of picking the straight line in a drawing, the joy of directly connecting dots. And remember, when you pick direct, you're not just choosing for yourself. You're choosing for the trees, the oceans, and the future kiddos who'll inherit this planet.

In the endearing tapestry of sustainable journey, direct flights gleam with promise. They whisper the tales of far-off lands while ensuring we touch those lands lightly, reverently. So, the next time wanderlust beckons, let's soar like the albatross. Direct, determined, and ever so eco-conscious.

Leave No Trace

Venturing into the vast tapestry of the world's destinations? Every nook and cranny of our planet teems with wonder. But, ah, here's the rub: with every footstep, we, as wanderers, impact these serene spaces. To tread lightly and love deeply, adopt the "Leave No Trace" mantra. An ethos so simple, yet profound.

• Vanishing Footprints : Think of yourself as a phantom traveler. Imagine, every spot you touch retains its pristine charm as if you've never been. Your motto? "I was here, but I left no mark."
• Pack it In, Pack it Out : Enjoy that tantalizing tangerine on your hike? Remember, its peel isn't part of nature's decor. Any tidbit, wrapper, or leftover morsel you bring? Ensure it finds its way back home with you.
• Whispers in the Wind : Nature's orchestra-a symphony of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and gurgling streams. Keep your conversations hushed. Let your voice not overshadow the planet's serenades.
• Stick to the Beaten Path : Those winding trails? They're not merely paths; they're protective barriers. Meandering off can harm fragile ecosystems. Your quest? Tread on these trodden trails, ensuring Mother Nature's delicate designs remain unspoiled.
• Nature's Souvenirs? Let Them Be : Stumbled upon a mesmerizing feather or a peculiar stone? While they might beckon as unique keepsakes, let them remain. Every element in nature has a role. By letting them stay, you ensure the story of the environment remains uninterrupted.
• Wildlife from Afar : Spotting a majestic elk or a frolicking squirrel? A moment of sheer magic! But, maintain a respectful distance. Remember, we're the guests in their abode. No feeding or approaching. Let them bask in their natural behavior.
• Camp with Care : Thinking of a night under the stars? Choose designated areas. By setting up tents in these spots, you ensure the land around remains unscathed.

Such small gestures, yet they echo through time, preserving nature's splendors for future travelers. So, as you embark on your journey, recall the essence of "Leave No Trace." In doing so, you're not just a traveler; you become a guardian of the world's wonders. Safe travels, dear explorer, and remember, the best stories often lie in the silent footprints we leave behind.

1. Is Triplay.ai available for international travel? Yes, Triplay.ai can be used to plan sustainable trips worldwide. It provides eco-friendly recommendations no matter where you want to go.

2. What sets Triplay.ai apart from other travel planners? Triplay.ai focuses exclusively on sustainable itinerary, ensuring that every aspect of your trip aligns with eco-friendly principles.

3. Is the Triplay.ai platform easy to use for travelers with limited tech knowledge? Absolutely! Triplay.ai features a user-friendly interface designed to cater to travelers of all backgrounds. You don't need to be tech-savvy to plan your sustainable journey.

4. Are there any additional costs for using Triplay.ai? FREE trial of Triplay.ai allowing you to experience its benefits without any upfront costs. After the trial period, there may be subscription options, but you can choose what suits you best.

5. How can I contact Triplay.ai's customer support if I have questions? You can reach out to our friendly customer support team via email or live chat on our website. We're here to assist you on your journey with a sustainable travel planner.

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How To Plan a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Trip

With all the pollution around the world and its negative impact on the environment, people started to approach more and more eco-friendly ways in everything they do. When it comes to pollution, there’s something that people don’t talk a lot about. Usually, we talk about the big fabrics cars and plastic consume , and we rarely hear about the harm that comes with tourism . Fortunately, people started to notice and take action regarding their traveling ethics by planning more sustainable, eco-friendly trips .

Traveling comes with dozens of benefits for us, and I believe that it’s the only activity that can assure you the unicity of the experience every time. We should praise traveling and our possibility does travel and not doing even more harm to the place we’re living in.

There’s so little one has to do to protect this wonderful planet that we all want to see one day. So why not do it? Not to mention that amazing, unique, and even unusual experiences are waiting for you if only you choose to care. Therefore, if you do care, in today’s post, we’re presenting how to plan a sustainable and eco-friendly trip .

Packing Your Bag

Packing light screams both sustainable and eco-friendly. Packing light is the best way to travel because you will carry around very little, and most likely, you will use everything you packed. As well, think about the money you save and, most important, about the fact that the plane isn’t using extra CO2 to transport all the suitcase full of clothes and things that most doesn’t need in their trip.

Anyway, packing should be done in these terms: do I really need this, and is this eco-friendly? While clothes are clothes and the suitcase isn’t the greatest danger for the environment, when it comes to packing, your necessities and the way you pack them is the most important. Not only that, you should opt for green products for both your sake and the planets’, but make sure that you can reuse everything you pack. Yes, even your pads and cotton pads should be reusable. If you find it impossible to pack only reusable items in your bag, then the least you can do is to make sure that they are recyclable. Nature will thank you for your good service.

Means to Travel

We all know by now that traveling by plane is extremely harmful to the environment . Of course, sometimes we don’t have other choices because of the long-distance and crossing over the ocean. But the least we can do is to choose wisely the company – the most eco-friendly one.

Of course, your safety comes first, and the harm for nature second, but I believe we can do both. As well, the best would be not to promote traveling by plane by buying first-class tickets because that’s nothing but a social standard. Now, whenever possible, travel by train , public transport , bike , and walk as much as possible. Traveling by land not only protects the environment, but it comes with a much more authentic and interesting experience. You get to see more, explore more, learn more, and experience more.

Choosing the Accommodation

The more eco-friendly the accommodation is, the better. But what’s the point of staying in a 5-star eco-friendly hotel that consumes so many resources after all. Traveling should be for the experience not for showing off. For that reason, you should consider guest houses , multi-person dorm rooms, homestay , and if you are a bit wild, you can even consider sleeping in a tent . Anyway, I don’t mean to say “the cheaper the better” because it’s not about the money. There are many accommodations nowadays that are seizing the importance of taking care of the environment, and they’re doing it for affordable prices, so it won’t do you any harm to look those places up.

Eating and Drinking

Eating and drinking is a huge part of traveling. All around the world, there are different tastes and flavors that we should all try once in a lifetime. That’s the fun of traveling – broadening your tastes in everything and experimenting as many new things as possible.

But how can we do that and still take care of the environment? Obviously, you should look up for green restaurants , which doesn’t mean vegan   – it means that they protect the surroundings.

But what you should really do if to avoid fancy restaurants and eat local . Not only that, the experience will be as authentic as it gets, but small businesses are not so harmful to the planet.

Mind the Country You’re Visiting

Planet Earth is an exceptional place, and the most fantastic thing about it is how different humans can be, regardless of the distance between them. The best example in Europe. Even though they live across the border, the people live by extremely different principles.

For that reason, because we are all so very different, and curiously, sometimes, so similar, before you visit a certain place, you should look it up for its ethics regarding the environment. Some cultures treasure and respect nature, while others don’t care about it.

Stay Longer in Each Destination

By now, we can agree that traveling can be pretty polluting, especially when every other day you go to a different place. When you travel a lot, from destination to destination, you should consider that you barely have time to live your trip at its fullest, but you also bring extra pollution in the air.

The longer we stay in one destination, the better. You have time to walk more, discover more, and enjoy your time there more. As well, you’ll have more time to do your research on eco-friendly activities.

Don’t Pay For Water

Last, but definitely not least is the water consumption when we travel. There’s even the water bottle policy at the airport, which basically forces us to buy water from the airport. Of course, the choice is ours, and they’re doing it for a good reason. But still, most of us remain ignorant when it comes to bottled water. All we have to do is to buy a reusable bottle and there will no longer be an issue. You’ll be able to fill your bottle almost everywhere you are without polluting the planet with plastic ever again for our body’s need for water. As well, staying hydrated shouldn’t come at any price. It’s a primary need and it should come for free.

Traveling is probably one of the most exciting and wonderful experiences one can have. There’s so much one can learn and discover from the shortest trip. I like to believe that one can only gain from any sort of trip.

But as amazing as traveling is for us, we are doing more harm than we can possibly imagine on our environment and, therefore, on ourselves. Planning a sustainable and eco-friendly trip is something we should all do and it can be very easily done as you can see above.

Caring for what surrounds you means caring for yourself . Therefore, let’s be better, and let’s do better, so our trips will become even more amazing as they used to be.

Cover image: photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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A travel planner shares 3 luxury-travel tips she says are a game-changer for the planet

• When planning a luxury vacation, it's totally possible to make it as sustainable as it is glamorous. 
• Sustainability expert Jessica Blotter has three tips for eco-friendly, luxury travel. 
• Find a high-end hotel that supports local communities and a spa with organic products, she said.
• This article is part of " Green Getaway: Luxury ," a series exploring how people can make more eco-conscious choices on luxury trips. For more climate-action news, visit Insider's One Planet hub.

Whether you're traveling on a budget or splurging on a luxury trip, more travelers are considering ways to get away sustainably .

And when it comes to high-end travel, you can still feel like a VIP while making choices that are better for the planet. 

Being intentional about where you book, how you get there, and what you do at your destination can all help reduce your carbon footprint, according to Jessica Blotter, cofounder of the sustainability-focused booking site Kind Traveler .

From accommodations that give back to glamorous train rides, here's what luxury travelers should consider. 

Jessica Blotter is an expert in eco-friendly travel. She says luxury trips can be as sustainable as they are upscale with these three tips.

In 2016, Jessica Blotter cofounded Kind Traveler , a booking platform focusing on sustainability . She told Insider the platform "empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit." 

Blotter shared three tips on selecting sustainable accommodation, transportation, and activities for an environmentally friendly and glamorous getaway.

Blotter suggests finding a high-end hotel with sections on its website dedicated to sustainability and community impact.

Kind Traveler launched a curated hotel collection called Every Stay Gives Back in September 2023 to make finding sustainable accommodations easier, Blotter told Insider. The website lists hotels that practice sustainability by using energy-saving electronics, eco-friendly products, and locally sourced ingredients, among other initiatives.

Kind Traveler's list includes more than 100 accommodations at destinations around the world from the US to Sri Lanka. Blotter said a portion of a guest's stay at these places booked through Kind Traveler, the hotel's website, or any third-party site funds a nonprofit that supports the local community or environment. 

Blotter pointed to The Stavrand Russian River Valley — a women-owned luxury hotel in Sonoma County, California — that she said has raised $2,318 in donations for Farm to Pantry , a local nonprofit working to end food waste and food insecurity.

"Even better, the impact of the donations thus far resulted in 4,620 servings of Sonoma County-grown fruits and veggies being shared with marginalized families," Blotter said. 

Consider taking a lavish train to your destination instead of flying.

How you get to your destination is another important consideration when trying to travel sustainably, Blotter told Insider. Her top recommendation is to travel by train , which is better for the planet than flying or driving.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency , 29% of greenhouse-gas emissions in 2021 came from transportation — with 2% of those emissions coming from train travel. In comparison, planes were responsible for 9% of transportation emissions, while passenger cars emitted 21%, and larger vehicles like trucks and minivans emitted 37%. 

"Luxury train travel is an option for a reduced carbon footprint with operators such as Rocky Mountaineer ," Blotter said, adding that the train serves gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs. The train also has two levels of glass domes for striking views of the passing landscape. 

Insider's Monica Humphries traveled on the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, Utah, in 2022. Humphries enjoyed the stellar scenery, food, and drink aboard the luxury train, and said historical facts about the route kept her entertained on the two-day journey.

Once you reach your destination, Blotter recommends visiting spas with environmentally friendly practices.

When it comes to activities, "luxury travelers often have an affinity toward wellness-related experiences," Blotter told Insider. 

Blotter added that there are plenty of spas with sustainable practices in place. 

"Whether indulging in a luxe treatment, taking a yoga or meditation class, or learning how to live a healthier lifestyle through a guided cooking experience, luxury travelers can ensure their experience is sustainable," Blotter said.

Before selecting a spa, Blotter recommends checking the ingredients used in its treatments.

"For optimal sustainability, the ingredients and goods used in treatments or wellness workshops are locally sourced, organic, cruelty-free, fair-trade, and plant-based," she said.

She also recommends finding a place that conserves energy and has water-refill stations, filtered air, and recycling programs in place. 

"Spas that have a focus on nature are also a bonus in helping to connect travelers more deeply with the healing found in nature," she added.

Blotter recommends Osmosis Day Spa in Sonoma County. The spa's website says it's dedicated to recycling and composting, uses eco-conscious products for treatments, and conserves water by recycling gray water. 

It's possible to treat yourself while treating the planet well.

"As a traveler, you have the economic power to adopt a 'vote with your dollars' mindset and consciously choose to support local businesses that are aligned with community and environmental impact," Blotter said. 

Whether you're traveling on a budget or treating yourself to an expensive, glamorous trip, sustainable travel is always an option, Blotter said — you just have to be intentional about where you stay, how you get there, and how you spend your time.

• Main content

3 tips to make your luxury vacation sustainable from a travel planner

Posted: October 18, 2023 | Last updated: October 18, 2023

• When planning a luxury vacation, it's totally possible to make it as sustainable as it is glamorous. 
• Sustainability expert Jessica Blotter has three tips for eco-friendly, luxury travel. 
• Find a high-end hotel that supports local communities and a spa with organic products, she said.
• This article is part of " Green Getaway: Luxury ," a series exploring how people can make more eco-conscious choices on luxury trips. For more climate-action news, visit Insider's One Planet hub.

Whether you're traveling on a budget or splurging on a luxury trip, more travelers are considering ways to get away sustainably .

And when it comes to high-end travel, you can still feel like a VIP while making choices that are better for the planet. 

Being intentional about where you book, how you get there, and what you do at your destination can all help reduce your carbon footprint, according to Jessica Blotter, cofounder of the sustainability-focused booking site Kind Traveler .

From accommodations that give back to glamorous train rides, here's what luxury travelers should consider. 

Jessica Blotter is an expert in eco-friendly travel. She says luxury trips can be as sustainable as they are upscale with these three tips.

In 2016, Jessica Blotter cofounded Kind Traveler , a booking platform focusing on sustainability . She told Insider the platform "empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit." 

Blotter shared three tips on selecting sustainable accommodation, transportation, and activities for an environmentally friendly and glamorous getaway.

Blotter suggests finding a high-end hotel with sections on its website dedicated to sustainability and community impact.

Kind Traveler launched a curated hotel collection called Every Stay Gives Back in September 2023 to make finding sustainable accommodations easier, Blotter told Insider. The website lists hotels that practice sustainability by using energy-saving electronics, eco-friendly products, and locally sourced ingredients, among other initiatives.

Kind Traveler's list includes more than 100 accommodations at destinations around the world from the US to Sri Lanka. Blotter said a portion of a guest's stay at these places booked through Kind Traveler, the hotel's website, or any third-party site funds a nonprofit that supports the local community or environment. 

Blotter pointed to The Stavrand Russian River Valley — a women-owned luxury hotel in Sonoma County, California — that she said has raised $2,318 in donations for Farm to Pantry , a local nonprofit working to end food waste and food insecurity.

"Even better, the impact of the donations thus far resulted in 4,620 servings of Sonoma County-grown fruits and veggies being shared with marginalized families," Blotter said. 

Consider taking a lavish train to your destination instead of flying.

How you get to your destination is another important consideration when trying to travel sustainably, Blotter told Insider. Her top recommendation is to travel by train , which is better for the planet than flying or driving.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency , 29% of greenhouse-gas emissions in 2021 came from transportation — with 2% of those emissions coming from train travel. In comparison, planes were responsible for 9% of transportation emissions, while passenger cars emitted 21%, and larger vehicles like trucks and minivans emitted 37%. 

"Luxury train travel is an option for a reduced carbon footprint with operators such as Rocky Mountaineer ," Blotter said, adding that the train serves gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs. The train also has two levels of glass domes for striking views of the passing landscape. 

Insider's Monica Humphries traveled on the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, Utah, in 2022. Humphries enjoyed the stellar scenery, food, and drink aboard the luxury train, and said historical facts about the route kept her entertained on the two-day journey.

Once you reach your destination, Blotter recommends visiting spas with environmentally friendly practices.

When it comes to activities, "luxury travelers often have an affinity toward wellness-related experiences," Blotter told Insider. 

Blotter added that there are plenty of spas with sustainable practices in place. 

"Whether indulging in a luxe treatment, taking a yoga or meditation class, or learning how to live a healthier lifestyle through a guided cooking experience, luxury travelers can ensure their experience is sustainable," Blotter said.

Before selecting a spa, Blotter recommends checking the ingredients used in its treatments.

"For optimal sustainability, the ingredients and goods used in treatments or wellness workshops are locally sourced, organic, cruelty-free, fair-trade, and plant-based," she said.

She also recommends finding a place that conserves energy and has water-refill stations, filtered air, and recycling programs in place. 

"Spas that have a focus on nature are also a bonus in helping to connect travelers more deeply with the healing found in nature," she added.

Blotter recommends Osmosis Day Spa in Sonoma County. The spa's website says it's dedicated to recycling and composting, uses eco-conscious products for treatments, and conserves water by recycling gray water. 

It's possible to treat yourself while treating the planet well.

"As a traveler, you have the economic power to adopt a 'vote with your dollars' mindset and consciously choose to support local businesses that are aligned with community and environmental impact," Blotter said. 

Whether you're traveling on a budget or treating yourself to an expensive, glamorous trip, sustainable travel is always an option, Blotter said — you just have to be intentional about where you stay, how you get there, and how you spend your time.

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Travelers Say They Want Sustainable Options – But It’s Not the Top Priority

Dennis Schaal , Skift

April 22nd, 2024 at 6:38 PM EDT

The survey encapsulates a seeming dilemma for the travel industry. What proportion of their resources should they pour into promoting sustainable travel choices when a wide swath of travelers aren’t focused on the issue.

Dennis Schaal

For more than a decade, travel companies have been saying sustainability would gain in importance – Tripadvisor said the “ the green travel trend is gaining momentum” back in 2012.

There’s no question travelers say they want sustainable options. But, as Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern said last September at the Skift Global Forum, travelers have yet to change their trip patterns .

A global online survey of 31,000 travelers in 34 countries and territories that Booking.com revealed Monday is consistent with Kern’s assessment.

In the survey, some 83% of traveler respondents indicated that making sustainable travel choices was important to them.

However, Booking.com uncovered a counter-trend. “New insights show a sense of weariness could be emerging globally, fueled by the ongoing challenges that travelers experience to make more sustainable travel choices,” Booking.com said.

In fact, 45% said sustainable travel choices are important but not an overriding concern when planning or booking a trip. Indeed, 28% globally responded that they are weary of hearing about climate change. That sentiment was even higher (32%) among U.S respondents.

Some 33% of travelers said they thought climate change damage had already taken place, and that their individual travel choices would not make much of a difference.

Looking for Government Action on Climate Change

Some 44% of those surveyed globally said governments would make the most difference – not individual travelers – and 43% thought it would be travel companies.

To qualify for the survey, individuals had to be at least 18 years old and involved as a decision maker in their trips. They had to have traveled at least once in the previous 12 months, and planned to travel again in 2024. The survey took the sentiment of travelers across 34 countries and territories in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, including China.

What Should Travel Companies Do?

These findings leave travel companies a tough choice: Should the invest in sustainability if it doesn’t lead to more sales?

We posed that question to a spokesperson for Travalyst, the not-for-profit organization founded by Prince Harry, which conducted its annual meeting last week in France. Coalition members include Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia Group, Google, Mastercard, Sabre, Skyscanner, Travelport, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor and Visa.

The spokesperson said part of Travalyst’s mission is to encourage consumers to make better travel choices from an environmental perspective.

“Travalyst is on a journey to changing behaviour and that all starts with clear, consistent and credible information which is accessible at scale,” the spokesperson said.

Much of the discussion centered around how the travel industry needs to offer more sustainable choices, the spokesperson said, adding that businesses need to lower their Scope 3 emissions, and that governments need to support these efforts.

“The overall sentiment was that it’s not just down to the consumer; the journey towards a more sustainable travel industry is a shared one,” the Travalyst spokesperson said.

Booking.com’s Strategy

A Booking.com spokesperson said Friday it will seek to publicize “accessible, trustworthy and understandable travel options that will help increase traveler adoption.”

That statement came a month after regulators in the Netherlands, where Booking.com is based, said its efforts to designate certain listings with Travel Sustainable and green leaves badges “was a possibly misleading sustainability claim.”

The company, though, hopes to use third-party certifications to showcase more sustainable travel choices,” the Booking.com spokesperson said Friday.

“While the data shows that sustainable travel remains important, it also shows that there is more work to be done in terms of cross-industry collaboration to accelerate efforts to make sustainable travel choices easier, which we remain committed to,” a Booking.com spokesperson said. “We are encouraged that the research shows that consumers have positive intentions and motivations to travel more sustainability.”

The Daily Newsletter

Our daily coverage of the global travel industry. Written by editors and analysts from across Skift’s brands.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: booking.com , climate change , online travel , online travel newsletter , prince harry , sustainability , travalyst

Photo credit: A traveler enjoying the solitude. Pxfuel

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Here are the top 10 smartest cities in the world — and none are in the U.S.

Smart cities in Europe and Asia are gaining ground globally while North American cities have fallen down the ranks, according to the 2024 Smart City Index released April.

Of the top 10 smart cities on the list, seven were in Europe.

This year's index was produced by the IMD World Competitiveness Center's Smart City Observatory in collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) that's based in Seoul, South Korea.

The report ranks 142 smart cities worldwide based on data analyzed by researchers, as well as survey responses of 120 residents in each city. The study captures an overview of how the infrastructure and technology available in a city impacts the city's performance and the quality of life of its inhabitants.

So, what is a smart city?

According to the IMD , a smart city is defined as "an urban setting that applies technology to enhance the benefits and diminish the shortcomings of urbanization for its citizens."

With very few exceptions, cities in the top 20 are geographically located in areas where social and economic environments are relatively predictable, even against the overall climate of global uncertainties. IMD Smart City Index 2024

The cities that perform well on the list have also developed initiatives that cater to their citizens' overall quality of life.

"Such initiatives have focused on developing green spaces and broadening opportunities for cultural events and social bonding, for example," according to the report.

"In the majority of these leading cities, such efforts have been combined with innovative strategies to attract and retain talent, foster investment in a selective fashion [e.g. pro-sustainability], and tackle long standing issues regarding geographical inequalities and inclusion," the report said.

Here are the top 10 smart cities, according to the 2024 Smart City Index.

• Zurich, Switzerland
• Oslo, Norway
• Canberra, Australia
• Geneva, Switzerland
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Lausanne, Switzerland
• London, England
• Helsinki, Finland
• Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Notably, for the first time since the index's inception in 2019, there is an absence of North American cities in the top 20.

"Using three year moving averages (i.e. comparing a city's average ranking for the period 2021-24 to that of the period 2020-23), a significant number of US cities have been losing ground," according to the report.

"This is the case in particular for Washington DC, Denver, and Los Angeles (-12, -12, and -11 respectively), but also for San Francisco (-9), New York City (-7), and Chicago (-4)."

The highest ranking U.S. city this year is New York City which ranked 34th, followed by Boston at 36th and Washington DC, coming in at 50th place.

While European cities dominated the list, Asian cities are gaining ground too.

Here are the top 5 smart cities in Asia:

• Singapore (5th)
• Beijing (13th)
• Taipei City (16th)
• Seoul (17th)
• Shanghai (19th)

Singapore has consistently ranked among the top 10 positions since the index's inception in 2019. It ranked 7th from 2020 to 2023 — except in 2022 when no rankings were released, and jumped up two positions this year.

Taipei City has also jumped 13 positions over the last year, from 29th in 2023 to 16th this year.

"Cities must design and adopt strategies that can resist the test of a future plagued with growing uncertainties, " said Bruno Lanvin, president of the Smart City Observatory.

"Health-related concerns remain high, while climate-related ones grow even larger; a mix complicated by renewed international tensions. Trust and good governance are growing in importance, and the significance of Al in city design and management is set to increase," he said in the report.

"Counterintuitive as it may sound, Al can help cities to become more human-centric," Lanvin added.

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