Responsible travel has become the word on everybody’s lips when it comes to travelling abroad. Whether you’re exploring the magnificent turquoise seas of the Caribbean or reclining on a hammock under the stars in Thailand, it’s good to remember the importance of responsible travel during your holiday.
From being considerate to local communities to reducing your contribution to waste generated by the tourism industry, there are a number of ways you can holiday more responsibly.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
Going on holiday is one of the greatest pleasures in life, and considering many of us embark on trips across the world each year, it could be beneficial for us to think about how our travel impacts the environment. It’s a common view that responsible travel is difficult and requires a lot of effort. However, it really isn’t as hard as it seems. With a few small changes, you can become a responsible traveller, starting today.
If you’re keen to become a more responsible traveller on your next trip, there’s a variety of ways you can start thinking about it. The first approach to greener travel starts before you’ve even left home and by taking the initial steps to change. Perhaps you’re keen to reduce your carbon footprint, or are wondering where to buy eco-friendly products to combat waste and pollution.
While respecting the local traditions and supporting local organisations all contribute, one of the key ways to become responsible traveller is by packing more effectively to help reduce waste, pollution and carbon emissions.
Discover the ways that you can pack responsibly on your next trip below…
THE ADVANTAGES OF PACKING LIGHT
Most people will baulk at the idea of having to cut back on what they pack for a holiday but with some careful planning, this doesn’t have to be an issue that leaves you with only a toothbrush. Hopefully, when you discover the advantages of packing lighter, it will help you reconsider that overflowing suitcase.
The size and weight of your suitcase can have a huge impact on the environment as it can directly affect how much fuel your transport needs. If all passengers reduced the weight of their luggage, this would have a huge impact on the number of carbon emissions produced by planes, buses and cars taking you from A to B.
When packing, keep it simple and make a list of everything you’ll need to bring with you. Resist the temptation to pack ‘just in case’ items that aren’t an immediate essential. Chances are if you don’t think you’ll need it, you probably won’t! If you’re worried about running out of things to wear during your holiday, you can always wash some of your clothing using facilities in your accommodation.
PACK LIKE A PRO
Forget panicking the day before and learn the perfect packing technique. A crucial part of packing like a pro is to make use of every available space in your suitcase.
Many travellers swear by the ‘rolling method’ of packing clothes to economise space and limit creases in clothing. Make use of your shoes and fill them with smaller accessories like socks and underwear. There are lots of other handy eco-friendly packing tips if you want to know more before you set off.
BUY ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
The rising trend in eco-friendly products makes it easier for us shop with more consideration when going on holiday. It’s advisable to avoid introducing potentially harmful chemicals into other ecosystems by choosing eco-friendly toiletries instead.
You will need to look for products with biodegradable packaging as some countries will not have the same recycling systems in place. You can also research specific products using Environmental Working Group (EWG) Cosmetics Database to help you review ingredients and packaging that may contribute to water pollution.
It may also be helpful to decant some of your favourites in reusable containers as they can be washed and reused for all of your future holidays.
With so many beautiful destinations just waiting to be discovered, it’s the duty of travellers like us to ensure that we maintain the ecology and economy of these places by becoming more responsible travellers.
With a few simple considerations, you can transform the way you travel and reduce your impact on the environment with ease.