Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for Conscious Explorers

Did you know that the global tourism industry contributes to 8% of carbon emissions, which is far more than many industries? This carbon dioxide emission is only going to increase until and unless we adopt sustainable practices, endangering not only the life on the planet but the planet as well. 

As more and more people around the globe are becoming environmentally conscious, eco-friendly travel and tourism are becoming popular. This sustainable way of traveling asks tourists to consider how their holiday trips are impacting the environment as well as the local communities. 

Eco-conscious choices for your trips reduce your carbon footprint and make sure that you enjoy a more enriching experience.

What is Eco-Friendly Travel?

Whether you are traveling to a destination that is only a rock's throw away or is on the other side of the globe, it is essential to consider your choices and the effect they would have on the ecosystem. Eco-friendly travel encourages you to make environmentally conscious choices so you can:

• Minimize your carbon footprint and reconnect with nature
• Support local economies and communities and respect cultural differences
• Consume responsibly to reduce the amount of waste you produce
• Support organizations that are working to protect the planet

When you are traveling, you should not only think of making traveling more eco-friendly, but you should also choose green accommodations for your stay, eco-friendly destinations to visit, and eco-friendly backpacks to carry your essentials in. 

With sustainable travel, you can leave the world a better place for generations to come.

How To Travel Eco-Consciously: Green Travel Tips

Green tourism is the way to ensure that you don’t harm the planet or the local cultures. Here are some green travel tips to travel responsibly. 

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Eco-Conscious Travel

Transportation is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions. For sustainable travel, making an eco-conscious choice is of utmost importance. Here are a few things you should consider to minimize your carbon footprint. 

1. Use buses, trains, and subways to get from one place to another instead of vehicles. Cities like Tokyo and Amsterdam have efficient public transport systems that are both budget-friendly and environment-friendly.
2. If public transport is not an option, consider carpooling or sharing a ride. Apps like Lyft and BlaBlaCar make ride-sharing easy, reducing the number of cars on the road. 
3. If flying is unavoidable, try getting direct flights. 
4. If your destination is only a short distance away, consider cycling or walking. These are excellent ways to explore your destination while staying environmentally conscious. 

These small changes will help you cut down your carbon footprint, making you a more eco-conscious traveler. 

Choose Green Accommodations: A Sustainable Way of Staying

With more and more lodges and hotels adopting sustainable practices, it has become easier than ever to choose green accommodations.

Here is what to look for while choosing green accommodations:

1. Choose hotels and lodges that use renewable sources of energy, such as solar energy or wind power. 
2. Many eco-friendly accommodations prioritize conserving water using water-saving technologies such as low-flow showers. Or choose accommodations that recycle water for irrigation. 
3. Check if the hotel or lodge you chose has certifications that highlight they follow sustainable practices, such as Green Key, LEED, or EarthCheck.
4. Choose accommodation that supports local communities and businesses. Staying in eco-lodges and family-run guest houses means you are directly contributing to the local economy. 

Travel to Eco-Friendly Destinations

When you are planning a trip, the first thing you often do is decide where you’d go. When choosing destinations, focus on places that offer responsible tourism. But how can you know which location promotes responsible tourism? To find such locations, you can consult the Global Destination Sustainability Index Ranking.

Although every destination has its own charm, certain destinations are more sustainable than others. If you are a conscious explorer, you might find the following eco-friendly attractive:

 

• Costa Rica

 

Costa Rica is another location popular for its undisturbed wildlife and rainforests. This is one of the most eco-friendly countries in the world and produces 93% of its electricity from renewable energy sources. Costa Rica is one of the sustainable tourist destinations which should be on everybody’s eco-friendly travel list. 

 

• New Zealand

 

New Zealand is another country that is working hard to protect its natural beauty through sustainable practices and is now largely considered a green nation. Over the past twenty years, it has turned its focus to becoming one of the most eco-friendly countries. 

 

• Iceland

 

Iceland is known as one of the cleanest places on the planet. Because of its location, it uses geothermal energy to generate power and is known as one of the greenest locations. Moreover, Iceland’s renewable energy program produces the largest amount of energy per capita.

 

Use Eco-Friendly Backpacks

Choose the right gear for your eco-conscious travels. Eco-friendly backpacks such as the Everki Studio series are both durable and sustainable and ideal for your next adventure. 

1. Made from 18 plastic bottles, the Studio Expandable ECO (EKP118E-ECO) is an ideal example of an eco-friendly laptop bag. With expandable compartments and dedicated space for your laptop, it is perfect for travelers who want a stylish and sustainable option.
2. If you prefer a backpack in a sleek and minimalistic style, the Studio Backpack (EKP118)  is the perfect choice. This laptop bag is for daily commuters and is perfect for short trips. Although it has a small profile, it can still hold a 15-inch laptop and is ideal for minimalistic travelers.  

Eco-Friendly Activities

Eco-friendly tourism doesn't mean that you cannot enjoy yourself during the trip. It just refers to a more considerate way of tourism. To enjoy the outdoors, you can either go to a national park or a state park and participate in activities such as hiking and camping. But when you are participating in different outdoor activities, you should keep the following things in mind:

1. Leave no traces behind; this means you are supposed to leave each place the way you found it.
2. Respect the environment. 
3. Don’t destroy the plants, and stick to the designated trail. 
4. Dispose of waste correctly. Pick up any trash left behind by others.
5. Be sure that campfires have a minimum effect.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Travel

Everything you do while you are on your holidays impacts the environment and surroundings, starting from how you travel, what you eat, where you stay, and the activities you do. The aim of eco-friendly travel and tourism is to minimize this impact. 

The benefits of sustainable tourism are as follows:

• It minimizes the environmental impacts and favors its sustainable development. 
• Responsible tourism preserves wildlife.
• Green tourism keeps the environment clean. 
• As a result of green tourism, you get a chance to support local communities. 
• Responsible tourism preserves cultural heritage. It can be an enriching experience for the tourists, encouraging locals to share their values and culture with them. 
• One of the major benefits of sustainable tourism is that you become more conscious of your choices, choosing eco-friendly ways of transportation and accommodation.

Take Your First Step to Eco-Friendly Travel With Everki

As a traveler, you have the power to leave the world a better place. All of it comes down to your personal choices. By embracing eco-friendly travel, you will be able to reduce the impact of your actions on the environment, and it will let you enjoy an enriching and meaningful experience. 

Start your eco-conscious adventures with Everki. The eco-friendly briefcases, laptop bags, and backpacks from Everki will make your journey green and adventurous.

 

FAQs

Q: What is eco-friendly travel?

A: Eco-friendly travel refers to your conscious efforts while traveling that minimize your impact on the environment. Choosing sustainable transportation, accommodation, destination, gear, and activities can noticeably reduce the impact your actions have on the environment.

Q: Why should I travel eco-consciously?

A: You should consider traveling eco-consciously so you can: 

• Minimize your carbon footprint and reconnect with nature.
• Support local economies and communities and respect cultural differences.
• Consume responsibly to reduce the amount of waste you produce.
• Support organizations that are working to protect the planet.
• Be more conscious of your choices.

Q: How can I travel sustainably?

A: To travel sustainably, you should consider:

• Using public transport instead of a personal car. 
• Consider carpooling or sharing a ride. 
• Opt for direct flights.
• Walk or cycle to the destination if it is only a short distance away.