How To Travel Sustainably

With international borders opening up to us, we'll all be flooding out left, right and centre to make up for lost time (I genuinely paused writing this article to book flights to Hawaii, lmao, cya out there).

@sydney.airport Can’t wait to be walking down the aisle. 🛫 #travel #sydneyairport #australia #travelban ♬ LETS GO - LevitatingOnTheMoonWithDulaPee

Vibes are high to say the least.

Ughhh, look, I don't wanna be the reason those vibes deflate, but it's no secret that with visitors putting a strain on cities, the lack of tourism dollars benefitting local communities, and the use of fossil fuels by major airlines, travel isn't the best for mother nature... 😵‍💫🥵

But don't stress! That doesn't mean that you can't travel. All it takes is some extra time and care so here are some things to consider when traveling the world sustainably!

Packing

Sustainable travel starts waaay before we get to our destination. Making smarter choices whilst packing can make a world of difference!

The more we pack, the more weight there is on public transit so minimalism is key! 🔑

Think about packing clothing items that match each other and can be layered up and down. Your fave massive coat may only get one use compared to that T-shirt that can be worn with thermals underneath and a jumper or on its own! 

Reusable items are also a must to fight single-use plastics. 😤 Ew. Here are some fab items to pack:

• water bottle (even one with a filter)
• coffee cup ☕
• steel or bamboo straw and cutlery🍴
• food container (collapsible ones are groovy for traveling)
• reusable shopping bag
• zero waste toiletries like shampoo bars, deodorant paste, and tooth tablets.

Transport

Air travel accounts for over 40% of the carbon footprint of the entire tourism industry 👣 That plane window pic doesn't look so cute now, huh... 😱

But unfortunately, we live in the ass-end of space here in Aus. I mean, some people genuinely don't think Australia exists so yeah, we could be compared to Narnia. This means that we can't hitchhike to Europe or catch a bus or two. 🚌

But whilst we're in Europe, we can be mindful of how we get around.

International Transport Forum reports that traveling by train generates up to 10 times fewer carbon emissions than an airplane! And high-speed trains (which Europe has a tonne of) are three times more energy-efficient as compared to regional trains.

Here are some quick tips when considering transport:

• Take direct flights where possible as take-offs and landings cause most of a plane’s carbon emissions.
• Fly economy class. I mean, I couldn't afford first-class anyways lol. Flying in business class or first class means you have more space per passenger = 5x larger carbon footprint. 
• Use the most sustainable form of transport when you’re at your destination. Go by foot or bike whenever possible. Use public transport, minibuses or car shares to get around instead of private cars when you’re going further.
• Be a slow traveller. Flying less often and staying for longer in destinations is key!

@chopsticksontheloose ad || What it feels like to travel Europe by Eurail 🚂 #eurail #eurotrip #europe #haveyoueverbeeninlove #traintravel ♬ cute sound - brett

Tours and Activities

Do your research before booking tours. Look for accreditations and read reviews! Heck, even reach out to the tour company to ask them of any concerns you have. 

When it comes to wildlife tourism, probably avoid any wildlife tours that promise up-close encounters with animals, as these may be unethical. Look for tours that won’t disturb wildlife and that ensure you are a certain distance away from any animals. Do your research into each specific type of wildlife tourism to ensure it's responsible. 🐒🐍🐬🦒🐘🕊

Volunteer

Why not do your part and volunteer with NGOs and community tourism organisations.

These could be volunteering opportunities or a chance to learn about local life and practices. Just like tours, do your research to ensure that your time and dosh are going towards a good cause!

Maybe you could save the turtles or help a small community 🌈

@datesdinnersdestinations Travel snaps from my volunteering time in Sri lanka🇱🇰 #travel #traveltiktok #traveltheworld #travelbucketlist #travelasia #srilanka #beachvibes ♬ Trampoline - SHAED

Get local

Eating at independent restaurants, buying locally made products, and choosing local experiences can have a bangin' impact on ze world.

Lonely Planet said that: "As many local people in Asia and Africa are not benefiting from tourism in their country. A traveller like you can join local life and the local person earns 100% of the money they ask for the experience."

Here's how you can get local:

• Eat-in restaurants and cafes owned by locals. Eat the local cuisine as well = locally sourced ingredients! 😉
• When shopping at local markets, avoid imported foods and international food chains where food has had to be transported from far away causing carbon emissions. You can shop for local fruits, vegetables and other produce at local farmers markets.
• Buy gifts made by local artisans. Avoid imported souvenirs that will have been flown or shipped in. It’s better to take home souvenirs unique to the country where you’re travelling, rather than something from a factory elsewhere anyways!
• Buy clothing made locally and/or ethically. Ahhh, fast fashion just isn't a vibe but if you're helping a local community, that's pretty unreal!

Alright, I've yapped and yapped. I need to start planning Hawaii pls and thx! Now, if you're keen to book flights too, (which, if you got to the end of this article, I'm pretty sure you are), you've come to the right place. Year13 has a tonne of different experiences overseas and close to home so no matter whether you’re looking to travel, work, volunteer, or just get down and party, we’ve got you covered! Suss out our providers and experiences here to get started!