Planning your dream vacation? Tips you need to know for sustainable travel

If you love the environment and are a travel enthusiast, you are probably wondering how to justify taking those CO2-emitting long plane rides to reach your destination with a green conscience. Earlier, there were no great options for eco-friendly travellers to get to a place in quick time and in an environmentally responsible way. However, it’s the 21st century and things are certainly changing. So, if you care about the environment and are planning your dream vacation, here are Fareportal India’s top tips to be a sustainable traveller.

Calculate your carbon footprint (and try to reduce it)

There are plenty of websites that help you calculate your carbon emissions — and then allow you to donate the proper amount to offset the impact you’ve made.

For instance, Sustainable Travel International calculates the amount of carbon emissions a passenger generates when he flies from one destination to another depending on the flight distance. The good news is that you can make a contribution to offset emissions by investing in carbon reduction projects that are verified and/or certified by independent third parties.

Fly with airlines committed to going green

In October 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization held their annual conference in Montreal where 191 countries agreed to take tangible steps in considerably lowering CO2 emissions from aircraft — starting with market-based measures implemented on a global level. The first airline to take this important step was Alaska Airlines. In November 2016, the airline flew from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to the Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. with a biofuel comprised of reusable forest residuals.

Fly the most direct routes possible

By flying on a non-stop route, you’re cutting out tons of pounds of CO2 emissions by eliminating unnecessary stopovers. It indeed is sometimes impossible or way more expensive to take a non-stop route, but if you’re really committed to going green when you travel, you can always opt for a direct flight. It’s worthy to note that a large part of emissions come during take-off and landing making those extra stopovers really add up.

Skip the first-class seat (and other seat hacks)

If you’re wondering how to be a sustainable traveller without changing your plans too much, this tip is easy and something most of us are doing anyway. By taking a first-class seat, you’re taking up space that could have been used to transport more people — thus creating a larger carbon footprint as those people now have to get on another flight and so on. So next time if your airline offers you a free upgrade, think twice before fervently agreeing. Also, be aware of how many passengers your flight can accommodate compared to other airlines on the same route — if one can carry more passengers, opt for that one, as it spreads the emissions between more people.

Bring your own stuff

Yes, it’s a fact, by bringing a reusable water bottle and filling it up in the airport as well as packing your own snacks, you’ll be making another small yet positive difference aboard the plane. Think of all those plastic or paper cups that are wasted each flight (not to mention the stacks of napkins and crinkly snack packs) that you’ll be saving. Take the little bit of extra effort and throw it back to high school by packing a meal for yourself.

Another easy thing that you can do is start using your mobile phone’s option for e-tickets. Lots of airlines and travel agencies have a feature on their app that gives you an electronic ticket that you can use. By not printing your ticket on paper every time you fly, you really are making a small positive difference.

Research and choose the right destinations

When it comes to choosing destinations for your trips, do a little bit of research about the places that you want to visit. Is there a hotel chain or travel company that is more environment friendly than others? What modes of transportation are available in the city/town you’re visiting and their environmental impacts? These questions will help you determine if you need to make any changes to your itinerary. For example, research the environmental impact of driving versus taking a bus or train. This could affect where you travel and how you get around town. If you’re doing business travel, choose destinations with public transportation like buses or trains, or choose to fly into an airport that is easily accessible by public transport.

Practice slow travel and respect the locals

Slow travel can have many benefits, including being able to enjoy every moment of your trip. Slow travel is also much more environmentally friendly than quick, rushed trips because you’re spending less money on transportation and conserving time and energy that would be wasted in a short trip. When visiting any new place, it’s important to respect the local people and culture. Locals will appreciate your interest in their community and culture. Think about how you can support local businesses, talk to locals instead of staying holed up at your hotel, volunteer, or give generously when visiting religious sites. These are just a few ways that you can show respect for other cultures while traveling.

Use sustainable transport at your destination

When you arrive at your destination, think about sustainable ways to get around town. Do you have a car that needs to be parked? Try getting around by foot or public transportation instead of driving. When taking the bus, walk, or train, ensure that it’s running on clean energy. If you absolutely must rent a car, opt for an electric vehicle. If you have to take a flight or your destination does not have public transportation options, try to offset the environmental impact of your travel by choosing carbon-neutral forms of transport like train travel that are powered by clean energy.

Eat and shop local on your trip

Your trip won’t be very sustainable if you’re eating and shopping the same way you do at home. Try to find small local businesses instead of big chains, visit farmer markets or shops where you can buy local goods directly from the producers. These types of purchases will give your money directly to the people who are making your food or crafting your souvenirs. Eat at local restaurants with authentic menus and learn about the food from your hosts.

Avoid animal attractions

Visiting animal attractions can be an incredible experience when well-managed, but many animal attractions are irresponsible and cruel to the animals that they keep. If you do decide to visit a tourist attraction with wildlife on-site, make sure that it’s run responsibly and ethically. By doing your research about the company or zoo/park that you plan to visit, it’ll be easier to decide whether or not the attraction is good for the environment. Also, it’s a good idea to avoid places like zoos or aquariums that use animals for entertainment. Not only are many of these attractions inhumane, but they also damage the environment when animals are shipped from place to place and kept in unnatural environments. The world is changing, and we’re all becoming more aware of the importance of preserving our environment for future generations.

Fareportal India is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fareportal, a global travel technology leader and the second largest flights OTA in North America, powering a next-generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 600 airlines, a million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. Fareportal India provides cutting edge software development, web design and digital marketing support services to its parent company. Fareportal India also provides back-office support services in the areas of sales, customer support, ticketing, and related services. Fareportal India employees 2,200 of the brightest minds in the field and operates out of 2 cities in India - Gurgaon and Pune.