Traveling in a sustainable manner should be more than just a catchphrase. Traveling in this manner is beneficial to the environment, people, and animals, and it should be the standard practise in all cases.
Planning a trip to one of the most environmentally friendly travel destinations in 2022 is pointless if you do not include eco-friendly travel practises as part of your overall itinerary.
But where do I even begin to look? Listed below are nine simple steps you can take to travel more sustainably in 2022, covering everything from what to think about before booking to what to keep in mind while on the road.
Select souvenirs that are genuine and sourced locally.
That ostentatious refrigerator magnet isn’t necessary. Investing in something made by a local artisan is a more environmentally friendly choice than purchasing something made by a multinational corporation.
While travelling, one of the most effective ways to assist artists who are preserving ancient art forms is to bring a piece of their work back home with you. The joy of displaying your hand-painted vase, leather bag, and hand-woven cushion in your home will be indescribably satisfying.
A sustainable approach to Michelin-starred dining
If you’re a foodie, visiting a Michelin-starred restaurant can be an excellent way to discover new cities and destinations. The Michelin Guide will award a green star to restaurants that excel both in the kitchen and in environmental stewardship for the first time in 2020, according to the publication.
They collaborate directly with sustainable producers and suppliers in order to reduce waste, placing them at the forefront of the industry when it comes to environmentally friendly practises.
Take into consideration a longer trip.
Even if you don’t plan on sailing across the ocean like Greta Thunberg, you should at the very least consider the environmental consequences of air travel. Instead of a slew of shorter excursions and flights, opt for a longer trip to reduce your carbon footprint.
Instead of flying to Paris for a long weekend, consider taking a multi-week road trip across France and Europe to see everything. It is possible to use your annual leave to help fund this incredible journey. What better time to pay a visit to a few of our sustainable travel hotspots for the year 2022?
Vacations that are environmentally friendly are preferable.
It is critical to consider what you do and how it affects the world around you. Is your tour guide a native of the area where you’re going? Do you have any idea where the money is being spent? Yes, they are being treated in a compassionate manner.
Are the artists receiving a reasonable wage? When planning a vacation, there are a number of considerations to keep in mind in order to ensure that your actions have a positive impact on the surrounding environment.
As a result, Trafalgar offers a selection of MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that have been hand-selected and thoroughly researched in order to assist you in making an impact on the world around you while travelling.
Do not go on the cruise if you do not want to.
Cruising falls short when it comes to environmentally friendly travel. Because of all-inclusive cruises, tourists visiting popular destinations by cruise ship place a significant strain on attractions and services while also contributing little to the local economy.
Using the accommodations on a cruise ship eliminates the need for local hotels and the people who work in those establishments. When meals are served on board, there is no need to spend money at local cafes and restaurants. Cruising ships, by virtue of their size, have a negative impact on the environment, particularly marine ecosystems.
Encourage others to discover the wonders of discovering new places for themselves.
Having a good time travelling with a group and meeting like-minded people is still possible even in the year 2022. Instead of travelling between cities by plane or renting a car, take public transportation or join a group tour that travels by land instead. You can expect to be transported between cities and destinations in comfortable coaches, which reduces your carbon footprint more than any other mode of transportation.
Consume products that are sourced from the local community whenever possible.
What’s the best food to eat while travelling, and where should I get it? Whatever the locals are eating is fine with me. Drink up on craft beers and wines from around the world while enjoying seasonal produce or meats that may be on hand to prepare a delicious meal.
The nutritional value of frozen hamburgers and pizza is insignificant compared to the benefits of fresh, locally sourced fare, and you’ll be helping to support your community’s network of food producers and farmers in the process. If you want to go the extra mile when it comes to being environmentally conscious while travelling, look for restaurants that are certified sustainable, support local producers, or provide vegan and vegetarian options, among other options.
Vietnamese street food can be found on the streets of Hanoi.
For those who don’t want to spend months on a ship in order to offset the costs of their journey, flying is the only option if they want to reach far-flung destinations quickly. To be sure, flying produces significant pollution; therefore, purchasing carbon offsets is an excellent way to reduce your impact on the environment while travelling. Carbonfund.org and Tomorrow’s Air are two non-profit organisations that allow you to offset the carbon footprint of your flight while making a purchase.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as you can!
Bring these two simple items with you on your trip to help you reduce your use of single-use plastics and help the environment. A reusable tote bag and a water bottle made of recycled materials are essential. If you want to find the most environmentally friendly travel destinations for 2022, you must plan ahead and be prepared to say no to single-use plastics when you arrive.
Approximately 60 tonnes of plastic waste washed ashore in Bali during the monsoon season of 2021 as a result of a lack of infrastructure and an influx of tourists. According to the Bali Partnership, 16 million visitors come to Bali each year, resulting in 3.5 times the amount of garbage produced by the local population as the island’s residents.
Continue reading to learn more about Trafalgar’s environmentally friendly travel policies. How We Tread Right, our five-year sustainability strategy, is based on the eleven United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for the next 15 years. By 2025, we hope to have accomplished these lofty objectives and made a positive contribution to the world in which we live.
Any other environmentally friendly travel tips or suggestions that you’d like to share would be greatly appreciated. If you have something to say, please do so in the comments section…
