What is Sustainable Travel: 8 Best Practices

Making optimal use of environmental resources preserves natural heritage and biodiversity. The main problem is that the consumption of environmental resources exceeds their ability to regenerate, causing climate change and loss of biodiversity.

In this regard, the ecological footprint is an indicator capable of measuring the environmental impact created by the excessive use of natural resources.

Taking public transportation reduces air pollution and improves road congestion.

By using public transport, the number of cars on the roads decreases and less carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. Likewise, fewer vehicles reduce traffic jams on the roads.

Respecting the culture of local communities conserves cultural and artistic heritage. The interaction with locals is one of the most rewarding things of sustainable travel and preserves traditions passed down from generation to generation.

It is essential to respect traditions as they form the identity of the local community and create a sense of unity among people.

Buying from and supporting local businesses empowers the local economy.

But this is not all. Local products do not involve transportation, require less packaging, and create more jobs.

Traveling slow minimizes the impact on the environment and saves money.

For instance, choosing the train over other means of transportation both reduces the ecological impact and is a cheaper option. But this is not all. Traveling slow also allows you to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Saying NO to single-use plastic reduces pollution. The production of plastic uses fossil fuels and therefore releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

In addition, 8 million tons of plastic end up in oceans every year, putting marine life at risk.

Eating local food ensures freshness and benefits local businesses. In fact, locally produced food does not require transportation, so it is fresh and nutritious.

Furthermore, eating local products supports the local economy and contributes to increasing employment and income within a community (tourism multiplier effect).