No longer a term used for hikers and campers out “in the wild” and away from creature comforts, green travel practices are becoming more and more popular. Along with the old notion just mentioned, the term may also be referred to as ecotourism or eco-adventure. Whatever term you want to use, it is a simple practice of being conscious of what you are doing so that you do not harm or destroy the natural world surrounding you.
As a sustainable tourist, the responsibility you will face is the conservation of plants, wildlife and planetary resources. You can respect the cultures you visit and following the local way of life and contribute to the local economy or village.
Billions of people travel annually by airplane, sea, train and car. Fossil fuels are on the decline and they can’t last forever. It is time to try to figure out what we can do for alternative energy and fuels. So much pollution has been let loose into the atmosphere since the Industrial Age blossomed over a century ago, that we now have holes in our ozone layer. This is the protective layer of the atmosphere. Needless to say, the less holes the better.
What can a tourist or traveler do to become green, you may be asking? Let’s go ahead and take a look at a few things that you can do when you are away from your home.
When you travel by air, check with the airlines and see if they have a carbon-offset program. This will cost you under $50 when you purchase your ticket and the company will in turn donate money to an environmental cause that may do something like plant new trees. This will offset the carbon footprint you are making by adding more plants to grow and thrive. Paperless travel is also available through use of your PDA or computer. You simply need to upload or download your ticketing information and it can be scanned in as you board the plane (not available worldwide yet). Pack light - the less weight, the less fuel is consumed. You could also opt out for biking, walking, mass transit, cross country busses or trains to cut back on the emissions and fuel used in airplanes. If you have a gas guzzling SUV you could choose to rent a hybrid vehicle to go on your next road trip. Downloading maps and local information to your PDA, iPod, cell phone or computer is another paper-saving option.
When you arrive at a hotel, turn off appliances and lights when you are not in your room. Take short showers and don’t leave water running while you brush your teeth. Bring along your own toiletries and glasses to use in your room instead of the freebies left for you by the hotel staff. Reuse your towels and linens daily, and eat locally. Try a home exchange instead of a hotel. This would allow you to stay in a neighborhood home, and there are so many plusses that can come from that. Save even more on the environment and stay with family or friends.
Recycle, recycle, and recycle! Water, power, energy, plastic, paper, and aluminum – all of these are reusable! Plan ahead and know what you want to do once you get to your destination. Don’t touch coral or go off the beaten path. Be kind to animals, people, plants and even the wee little bugs. All of this is sure to add to your green travel practices.
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Thanks for mentioning home exchange as a much greener way to travel (i.e. using homes that would otherwise be empty) rather than contribute to the wasteful hotel and resort industry. As well as saving on accommodation costs, when you have a fully equipped home, you can also shop for food locally and eat at least some meals ‘at home’, avoiding unneccessary packaging from fast food take-aways.
If you would like to know more about home exchange, please visit our blog, Travel the Home Exchange Way and browse all the attractive exchange offers on Home Base Holidays.
I would be delighted to answer any questions about home swapping as a green travel alternative.
Cheers from London
For visitors interested in a home exchange holiday, take a look at 1st Home Exchange. 1stHomeExchange.com has numerous articles, tips, and videos to help find and arrange a home exchange.