Let's raise awareness of how we can look after our planet!

If you have been travelling for a while and are wondering and concerned about your environmental impact during those trips, this blog might be of help to you.

Come on, who hasn't seen the heaps of plastic and garbage polluting some of the most scenic places in the world? But we are here to tell you there are a lot of easy and simple but effective things you can do to take care of the environment while you are travelling. We know going green and clean might be a little hard at the beginning, but with every single trip you take, not only will it become second nature to you, but also it will help our mother earth to recover from our usually thoughtless activities. Leaving a positive impact, if not positive, not making more harm than before on the place you are visiting might be one of the highlights of your trip. Below are a few golden tips to guide you on your way to becoming a sustainable traveller and that starts from choosing your next vacation destination to tips to make your travels more eco-friendly:

• Take trips to Eco-Friendly Places:

As some of you might know, people have started to take into cognizance the awareness of environmental safety as necessary. With this, ecotourism has been flourishing in most countries. When you are selecting the destination for your next trip, it might help if you choose a landscape which has a good reputation for being eco-friendly.

If you really want to become a green traveller, you have to know that making informed and conscious choices about where you stay while you are travelling is also a very important step. Do not choose a hotel/hostel just because it looks beautiful and luxurious, instead try to look for quality accommodation that works actively towards protecting nature and our planet.

Since a growing number of hotels have begun to adopt eco-friendly practices such as recycling programs, energy-efficient lighting and water conservation schemes, it is not hard to try and support them, and in turn protect the planet, whenever possible.

• Choose transport wisely:

So destination set, now it is time to select how you are going to travel to that place and what transport you would be using while you are there. For a green and trendy traveller, the choice seems rather easy. Take trains instead of aeroplanes, the "slow travelling" thing is getting all the heat now anyway. What better way to truly experience and grab the feel of a place when you are travelling thoroughly through them and not over them? Get the best possible idea of the place, its vibe and the aesthetics. And when you are in there, exploring a new destination, reduce your carbon footprint and save some bucks by travelling via bus, bike or foot instead of a private car or rental car to minimise your environmental impact. Participating in local running races and exploring bike trails will also provide further opportunities to experience the culture at a slower pace and mix with the locals.

• Pack smartly:

Now that transportation is chosen, let's talk about packing. When embarking on your trip, make sure not to overpack. Travelling light will not only allow you to be more flexible on your trip but also make your transportation lighter. Lighter trains, cars or planes waste less fuel and you get to reduce your carbon footprint. Being frugal when packing isn’t easy, especially if you’re taking a longer trip, so you need to be smart.

• Know about Green Tour Companies:

We have already talked about how green hotels are all the rage now. Now it is time to mention that like sustainable staying places, many tour companies are also taking an eco-friendly initiative to grow tourist attractions and protect the planet simultaneously. Green tour companies strive to give visitors a fun travel experience while still caring for the environment and economy. If you choose to travel by a company, green tour companies might be your best bet, but before booking a tour, do your research about the company’s environmental practices and ethics yourself to understand how they work.

• Take and Use Reusable Items:

If you want to be a clean and green traveller, you must be conscious of what products you are using and disposing of on a regular basis. I do not have to remind you that using plastic is a big no-no, so bring tons of reusable tote bags, so that you don't have to use plastic. The same goes with water bottles, food containers and coffee mugs. Take your own reusable glass to drink water from purifiers, and wear clothes made of natural materials when you travel to minimise using plastic ones.

• Curtail Your Energy Use:

When you are trying to travel green, you need to remember that some simple and easy practices can go a long way. Like taking short showers, switching off the lights and electronics while going out, turning off the air conditioner once a while- all are very easy to remember and are good for the environment. This way, you can reduce your energy use and become a more sustainable traveller.

• Decide on your souvenirs carefully:

Unfortunately, in social media and real life, we often see people bringing souvenirs like seashells or hats made of real animal fur or utensils made of elephant teeth to their homes as souvenirs. But you have to remember that if you purchase anything like this, you are not only taking part but encouraging a market that thrives on killing rare and endangered animals and plants. That is as unsustainable as it gets.

• Help local economy:

So we have established that you should not purchase any animal souvenirs, but you have to bring something back, right? You can always choose handmade items crafted by the local people and support the local economy in an eco-friendlier way. They might be a little costly, but they will actively help the people and the environment, so being a green and clean traveller can also mean choosing souvenirs the right way.

If you have read through this blog, you know that you do not have to actually sacrifice most of your comfort, and still be a green, clean and sustainable traveller. These tips are practical, effective and easy and will ensure that you enjoy your trips to the fullest but also preserve the environment and support the locals. So all being said and done, have a great green tip, you!