It’s World Environment Day and what better way to celebrate than by looking at the small steps travellers can take to reduce the impact they have on destinations around the world.
First and foremost, it’s important to note that sustainable travel isn’t just about reversing the environmental damage created by visitors in a city or town, it’s also about the emotional impact it has on children, local communities, infrastructure, local wildlife and more.
But for today – as it is World Environment Day – we’re going to focus on the physical effect tourists have on a destinations and how they can be reversed.
According to The World Counts, travellers can put “enormous” stress on local lands, which can lead to “soil erosion, increased pollution, natural habitat loss” and more.
This is caused by a variety of factors, including excessive visitor numbers and bad habits such as using plastic water bottles, leaving on the air condition and driving too much.
Here are a few simple things tourists can do on their next holiday to reduce the negative impact they have on a destination:
1. Ditch the plastic water bottles
It may seem so much easier to fork out a couple of dollars for a plastic bottle of water than to remember to refill a refillable bottle, but it’s actually not AND you’ll save money.
2. Don’t use an Uber or taxi if you don’t need to
Or more specifically, don’t drive if you don’t need to. Do your part to reduce fuel emissions in a destination by walking whenever possible. It’ll not only help the environment but you might stumble upon something unexpected and glorious during your journey.
3. Eat at restaurants run by locals
As tempting as it is to try Big Macs in every country you visit, do your best to avoid it. Not only will your arteries love you for it, but it’ll ensure your money goes directly towards supporting local families and communities.
4. Chocoholics, avoid multi-wrapped sweets
Chocolate is a treat anywhere in the world, but do your best to avoid buying multi-wrapped sweets. It’s too much unnecessary wastage.
5. Switch off the air con & lights
We know, we know: you want the room to be at a certain temperature when you return from a big, sweaty day out. But dude, think about the damaging effects this has on the city’s environment and the drain it’ll have on local power.
6. Do your research & travel with sustainable tour operators
They’re the ones that may seem like a drag (because holidays are about going wild and having fun woo) but they’re also the ones that are doing everything possible to ensure the destinations and communities you’re visiting survive for future generations of travellers.
READ: Why tourists need to stop asking children to pose for photos
READ: 3 sustainable ways to tackle overtourism
READ: Buffalo Tours makes a new pledge to fight tourism