Passport and Perspective

The Future of Travel is Green

In a world where the climate crisis looms large, travel is both a privilege and a responsibility. As global tourism continues to rebound post-pandemic, it’s clearer than ever that how we explore matters just as much as where we go. Sustainable travel isn’t just a trend—it’s an urgent shift in mindset and behaviour that has the power to protect the very places we long to discover.

  • The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive to ensure accuracy, travel guidelines, sustainability practices, and destination policies may change over time. We encourage travellers to conduct their research and verify details with official sources before making travel plans. The recommendations provided are based on current industry insights and should not be considered as definitive or exhaustive. We are not responsible for any changes in regulations, travel restrictions, or unforeseen circumstances that may impact your trip.

What Is Sustainable Travel?

Sustainable travel means making conscious, informed decisions that reduce environmental harm, support local economies, and preserve cultural integrity. It’s not just about choosing a destination—it’s about how you travel there, how your money is spent, and who directly benefits.

For example, staying at eco-certified properties such as Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives, which uses solar power, operates a zero-waste philosophy, and funds marine conservation, is one way to lower your environmental impact. Choosing airlines like KLM or British Airways, which are investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce carbon emissions, also supports innovation in cleaner air travel. Booking experiences with community-based tour operators such as Cultural Encounters in Peru or I Like Local in Asia and Africa ensures that tourism revenue goes directly into the hands of local guides, artisans, and families—empowering rather than exploiting.

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the tourism industry accounts for approximately 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with transportation, accommodation, and activities all contributing to a travel-related carbon footprint. Rather than abandoning travel, the aim is to make more responsible choices that protect the destinations we cherish for future generations (UNWTO, 2021).

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Climate change is already reshaping some of the world’s most iconic and fragile travel destinations. The idyllic islands of the Maldives, for example, are facing existential threats due to rising sea levels, with the nation predicted to be uninhabitable by 2100 if global temperatures continue to rise (UNDP, 2023). Similarly, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef—home to one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth—has experienced multiple coral bleaching events, largely attributed to warming ocean temperatures (Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, 2022).

Cities like Venice are also under pressure. Overtourism has led to congestion, environmental degradation, and damage to cultural sites, prompting the city to introduce a tourist entry fee to manage daily visitor numbers and reduce strain on its infrastructure (Comune di Venezia, 2024).

Travellers are becoming more aware of these realities. In fact, Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report found that 76% of global travellers want to make more sustainable choices while travelling. However, many still struggle to identify credible eco-friendly options, revealing a gap between values and practical decision-making (Booking.com, 2023).

Simple Steps to Travel More Sustainably

Sustainable travel isn’t about being perfect—it’s about taking small, intentional steps that collectively create a big impact. Whether you’re planning a long-haul adventure or a local getaway, these practical actions can help reduce your footprint and enrich your travel experience.

✈️ Fly Less, Stay Longer

Reducing the number of flights you take is one of the most effective ways to cut your travel-related carbon emissions. Opting for fewer, longer trips not only minimises your environmental impact but also allows for more meaningful cultural immersion. Programmes like Byway Travel specialise in flight-free holidays across Europe, promoting slower, overland travel using trains and ferries (Byway, 2024).

🏨 Choose Eco-Conscious Accommodation

Look for hotels and resorts that have verified sustainability credentials, such as EarthCheck, Green Key, or LEEDcertification. For instance, The Brando in French Polynesia operates on 100% renewable energy, including solar power and deep sea water cooling, and supports reef restoration projects. Similarly, Soneva Fushi in the Maldives combines barefoot luxury with zero-waste operations and plastic-free policies (EarthCheck, 2023).

🛍️ Support Local Businesses

Instead of frequenting international chains, consider spending your money at locally owned cafés, shops, and markets. Booking experiences with platforms like Local Purse, which offers live virtual and in-person tours hosted by artisans and guides, ensures your travel dollars go directly into the hands of small business owners (Local Purse, 2024).

🌱 Offset Your Carbon Emissions

While carbon offsetting should never replace efforts to reduce emissions, it can help mitigate the impact of unavoidable travel. Reputable programmes like Gold Standard and Sustainable Travel International offer verified carbon offsets that support renewable energy projects, forest conservation, and clean water access around the world (Gold Standard, no date; Sustainable Travel International, no date).

🧳 Pack Sustainably

Swap out single-use items for long-lasting alternatives. A stainless-steel water bottle, bamboo toothbrush, refillable toiletries, and a foldable shopping bag can significantly cut down on waste while travelling. Brands like Matador and Hydro Flask offer compact, travel-ready gear designed with sustainability in mind.

Industry Innovation to Watch

While sustainable travel starts with individual choices, the travel industry is evolving rapidly to meet the demand for more environmentally responsible options. From cleaner fuels to zero-waste hospitality, here are some of the most promising innovations shaping the future of tourism.

✈️ Airlines and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

Airlines are making measurable progress by investing in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was one of the first to operate commercial flights powered by SAF, while British Airways has partnered with Velocys to develop a plant that will convert household waste into jet fuel (KLM, 2023; IAG, 2023). Though not yet widely available, SAF represents a major step toward decarbonising air travel.

🚄 A Renaissance in Rail Travel

In Europe, train travel is undergoing a revival as a greener, more scenic alternative to flying. New international sleeper routes like Nightjet (operated by ÖBB) now connect cities such as Paris, Vienna, and Berlin overnight. France has also banned domestic short-haul flights where a train alternative of 2.5 hours or less exists—an unprecedented policy shift in favour of rail travel (Reuters, 2023).

🛳️ Greener Cruise Technology

Historically criticised for their environmental impact, cruise lines are beginning to adopt cleaner technologies. Hurtigruten Expeditions launched the world’s first hybrid-powered cruise ships, combining battery packs with low-emission engines to reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ output. The company is also investing in zero-emission ship technology expected to launch by 2030 (Hurtigruten, 2023).

🏨 Luxury Hotels Leading with Purpose

Boutique and luxury hotels are increasingly driving sustainability through innovation and community involvement. For instance, &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa runs conservation programmes for rhinos and cheetahs, while integrating local Zulu communities into its hospitality training and employment pipeline. Similarly, Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman supports marine conservation and operates on principles of minimal waste and renewable energy (Six Senses, 2023; &Beyond, 2024).

Travel as a Force for Good

When approached with care and consciousness, travel can be an extraordinary force for positive impact. It can protect biodiversity, fund community development, preserve cultural traditions, and create livelihoods in areas where economic opportunities may be limited. But it takes more than good intentions—it takes informed action.

🐘 Supporting Conservation Through Travel

Eco-conscious tourism has played a key role in funding wildlife conservation across Africa and Asia. For example, Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya uses income from safaris and eco-lodges to support anti-poaching patrols and wildlife protection initiatives, including the last two remaining northern white rhinos (Ol Pejeta, 2024). Guests are offered hands-on conservation experiences, turning tourism into education and preservation.

🧵 Preserving Culture and Craft

In Peru’s Sacred Valley, Awamaki, a non-profit tour operator, connects travellers with indigenous Quechua artisans through immersive workshops and community visits. These experiences not only preserve centuries-old weaving techniques but also provide fair-trade income to female weavers in rural Andean villages (Awamaki, 2023).

👩‍🍳 Empowering Communities Through Hospitality

In Cambodia, Spoons Café and Restaurant trains disadvantaged youth in hospitality and culinary arts, equipping them with employable skills and pathways to sustainable livelihoods. Travellers can dine there and directly support the programme, demonstrating how even a meal can have a transformative effect (Spoons Cambodia, 2024).

🤝 Intentional Questions That Make a Difference

Before you book, consider asking:

  • Who owns this tour or accommodation?
  • Where is my money going?
  • Does this experience preserve or exploit the destination?

Being mindful of your impact turns a holiday into a form of advocacy. It’s not about guilt—it’s about leaving a legacy you’re proud of.

As you plan your next trip, look beyond the destination. Consider the legacy you’re building. Sustainable travel isn’t a passing trend—it’s the future of responsible, meaningful exploration.

💬 What are your go-to sustainable travel tips or discoveries? Let’s inspire one another. Share your thoughts below or tag @lovinglife_loving in your conscious travel stories.

References

Posted In: Passport & Perspective, The Wanderlust Edit

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