One of my absolute favourite things to do is travel. The whole process, from the planning to get to the destination. The ONLY downside to travelling is packing and unpacking. As great and wonderful travel is it can have negative impacts on the environment.
Sustainable Travel means creating travel opportunities with minimal impact and positive benefits for destinations and their communities.
Sustainability isn’t just about the environment, it’s about balancing the economic and social aspects. It starts when researching where to go —booking accommodation and transport, you also have to be conscious of where you are spending your money when seeking out local experiences.
What is Sustainable Travel?
The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) defines sustainable tourism as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of its visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities”.
Here are some ideas on how you can become a sustainable traveller:
Travel Locally
The closer you are to your holiday destination the better for the environment. So, what better way to do this than travelling locally? South Africa offers a wide range of staycations to choose from. So next time you consider a getaway, think closer to home. The less congested the better, so be adventurous and explore unpopular towns. If you are lucky enough to be in the Western Cape, check out Tebogo’s Western Cape Experiences blog for ideas or book his services.
Choose eco-friendly accommodation
Now that you’ve decided on the destination, you obviously need accommodation. Sustainable travelling means choosing an equally sustainable establishment. This may be tricky to navigate, as this information may not be readily available when you do your search. However, some accommodation websites give establishments on their platform’s sustainable ratings. So be on the lookout for these. If you are already at the venue, check how the establishment is conscious about its water and energy usage. Do you know that note that asks you to reuse your towels? The key cards control energy usage.
Getting there
The slower it takes you to get there, the greener it is. That means flying should be the last option. If you can drive there? Do so. Unfortunately, the state of some of our roads, limits access to some of the most beautiful places in South Africa.
Carpooling is also a fun way of travelling in a group, even better when the car comes with a designated driver. This way you enjoy the trip, and your hands are free to snap scenic drives.
Take a walk or bike ride around the destination
Part of a beautiful holiday experience is fully immersing yourself in the culture and being one with the locals. The best way to do this is to take walks or bike tours. You will also discover gems that you would normally pass when you drive.
Support the Local Economy
Fully immerse yourself in the area. Eat at local restaurants, buy from street vendors, and book local tours. The tourism sector is still trying to recover post-covid regulations, so your rand goes a long way to provide sustenance to the local community. Don’t forget to treat your hosts with respect and humility. Ask for permission before taking photos of them, their children, or their houses. If they do grant you permission, leave them with a tip or a thank you.
Leave the environment as you found it (or better)
It is important to be aware of your surroundings. If you are visiting a water-scarce place, do not waste water (you should not be doing this anyway). If you visit nature reserves, do not remove or step on plants. DO NOT LITTER. If they have recycling bins, please obey this. When you visit the beach, do not exacerbate the litter issue, leave the beach in a better state, if you see litter, pick it up 😊
Implement one or all of these tips and remember to share the article or lessons with your family and friends 😊
Every little bit helps…
Be a More Sustainable Traveler
Our Sustainable Travel episode with Tebogo PinPin of Western Cape Experiences explores:
- What is sustainable tourism?
- How to make a positive impact on your next trip
- Importance of exploring local destinations
- Overtourism
- Choosing eco-friendly accommodation
Listen to the Green with ENVY Podcast
