Yay! Summer is fast approaching and it’s time to start making your summer travel plans, only this year why not make them green travel plans! You’ve heard about it the hippest circles, their talking about it on Facebook, and even your mom wants to try it, but what is green travel? Green travel is conscientious travel. Green travel means you plan your trip to minimize your impact on the environment. Like most vacations green travel requires planning, after all we must consider both the environment we will be visiting and the Environment we love and want to protect. Now before you get discouraged because I said “planning”… remember you’re not alone, the green community, has so many helpful green travel tips it was hard to choose just a few. Here are 7 green travel tips to you can do to from the International EcoTourism Society (ITES) to help you get moving!
- Don’t plan alone: Green Travel is a community effort, the green community is willing able to help with great resources like this new green online travel agent. It’s as simple as entering your destination and dates. ReZhub Green Travel Hub will list green hotels to green travel guides.
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photo by: robef Live in your Bathing suit and flip flops: Your momma’s been telling you that for years, pack only what you need! Also avoid packing things that will become waste. According to the ITES, reducing the weight of your luggage you can also cut green house gas emissions. Packing like a pro takes years of practice, luckily this A+ rated LA moving company has the best organized packing tips to help you pack like a pro.
- Do your homework: You always read the reviews and look at the pictures, now just make sure your hotel has good sustainability practices. This is also true for tour operators, events, and other service providers. Look into the company’s environmental green initiatives and strategies and their involvement in sustainable tourism certification program. The ITES has a fantastic Ecotourism Explorer to help you start your research.
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Photo by Rennett Stowe Did you remember to turn off the coffeemaker? The age old question plaguing most tourists runs very true for green travel. Make sure to turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can consume energy while you are away.
- Explore the city on four legs or two: Just because you left your bike at home doesn’t mean you have to leave your green transportation options at home too. Search for public transportation options and alternative modes of transportation. Some of your best pictures can be taken while walking, bicycling or maybe even from a camel!
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photo by: Aske Holst Don’t leave your wet towel on the floor: You can always regulate how much water you are using in a hotel, but what about all those linens and towels, how much water is used to wash them? Reuse your towels and bed sheets requesting that the hospitality staff does not change them every day.
- Extend your visit: while most green travel sites will recommend ‘staycations’ and local trips (since these can have less of an impact on the environment), however, if your travel plans require air travel, plan your trip so that you minimize air travel. Extending your stay in a single destination instead of many short trips, lessens your impact on the environment and you get to know a place better.
Turns out your momma knows how to travel green! These basic green travel tips can make your trip both an enjoyable experience for you and our planet.