SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
-Jane Goodall
How We Consider Sustainability
ECOSYSTEMS
Travel allows us to discover distant lands where extraordinary natural wonders and diverse ecosystems abound. From vibrant coral reefs and lush rainforests to snowy landscapes and soaring mountain peaks, our natural world provides countless opportunities for exploration. Careful planning can help preserve these delicate ecosystems for generations to come.
PEOPLE
Because travel brings us to far corners of the globe, it is an unparalleled opportunity to engage with people and communities from different backgrounds to learn about their ways of life. Done conscientiously, tourism can create much-needed jobs and income for underserved populations, such as women and rural communities. Along with providing local economic benefits, tourism can help preserve traditions and foster cultural awareness and pride.
PLANET
Expeditions to regions far from home to witness unparalleled experiences such as the Great Wildebeest migration in Africa or Bucket list locations like Angkor Wat and Machu Picchu are well worth the long journey. With a sustainability-minded approach, we can limit our carbon footprint and our impact on global issues like deforestation, water pollution and habitat loss.
Sustainable Travel Tips
01
BUY CARBON OFFSETS:
Until the airline industry switches over to biofuels, you can help offset the carbon emissions created when you fly by helping fund things that remove carbon from the atmosphere like planting trees or investments in renewable energy.
02
FLY MORE SUSTAINABLY & PACK LESS:
Both excessively long flights and short flights are less ideal than a four or five hour flight. Most of the fuel is used during take-off and landing so reducing flights shorter and four or five hours can lessen your contribution to emissions. Similarly, flights longer than five or so hours have to carry large amounts of fuel which increase emissions. Every pound of luggage a plane has to carry increases the fuel necessary and the emissions created.
03
CHOOSE SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES:
Check to be sure that the tours and activities you choose are supportive of the local culture and ecosystem. Many local communities depend on tourism dollars, but be sure that the tour operators are designing and running their tours responsibly.
04
FIND ALTERNATIVES TO FLYING
Instead of short flights between destinations during your trip, consider whether there is a train, boat or even a car that might be convenient. In fact some trains like the Belmond luxury sleeper trains or Aqua Expeditions luxury river boats are incredible and sustainable.
05
CONSIDER YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS:
Choose a hotel or resort with a commitment to sustainability. There are now so many luxury brands that have built sustainable practices into their business models that you do not have to sacrifice the number of stars for the environmental impact.
06
TRAVEL WITH PURPOSE:
Visit a place that is recovering from a natural disaster to help build back their economy. Places like Napa Valley after the wild fires were in desperate need of tourism dollars to help them get back on their feet.
07
VISIT DURING THE SHOULDER OR LOW SEASON:
Not only does travel during slower seasons help spur the local economy, but the heavily trafficked times take a toll on the local ecosystems. Travel during quieter times can be much less frantic and more eco-friendly