Billions of people travel each year for various reasons, including exploring a new country or culture. Whether you want to see Roman architecture or try a Turkish kebab, careless traveling can harm a local economy and environment when you opt for wasteful or disrespectful practices. In order to get the most out of your next trip without hurting the planet, think twice about what you eat, where you stay, and how you travel around a region. Eco-conscious traveling is far more than a trend; it’s a new rule of the road.
Choose Regional and Seasonal Cuisine
Ever wonder where your local grocery stores get apples outside of the autumn season? When you purchase seasonal foods out of season, they must come from distant regions where those foods can still be grown. These foods have a larger carbon footprint than local foods due to the distance they must travel. The same principle applies in other countries as well. Regional foods that are in season are the freshest, tastiest, and most sustainable. Wherever you travel, learn where the food comes from. From Portuguese seafood to Georgia peaches, dining as the locals do helps the ecosystem and supports the economy. If you see familiar chain restaurants, consider skipping them and opting for local alternatives instead. Support authentic restaurants. Ask for home-grown ingredients and seasonal dishes. Visit farmers’ markets. You’ll be more in tune with the culture while keeping a minimal carbon footprint.
Walk or Bike When Possible
If you want to see a city or region up close, consider ditching the car and exploring on foot. Many countries, especially those outside the United States, have very walkable cities and excellent public transportation systems. Biking or walking around town will immerse you in sights you’d never see from a car. Not all towns support cars everywhere; smaller European alleys or rural Asian regions won’t be accessible by car. You’ll see more of the culture while reducing air pollution from gas-powered vehicles. If you have limited mobility, consider using accessible public transportation or renting an electric wheelchair.
Join a Guided Tour
You may be on vacation, but the locals are simply living their everyday lives. With so many different cultures and customs, it’s sometimes hard to tell when you’re welcome and when you’re stepping on someone’s toes. Places of worship in Spain or Turkey may have beautiful architecture, but active cathedrals and mosques often require respect and quiet. Some foods may not appeal to your palate, but they may be sacred to locals. Opting for a local tour guide when you’re in another country is an excellent way to avoid trespassing and overstepping boundaries. Tour guides will know which areas are off-limits to tourists and what ingredients are used in local foods. They can navigate public transit with ease and might even score you some exclusive sights or memories to treasure. Tour guides in large cities where English isn’t an official language come in handy, like Istanbul or Dubai. Fernwayer’s private tours in Istanbul can help you navigate the city’s crowded 15-million population smoothly. A local guide in Singapore can help you explore the regional cuisine with respect and insight. Guides can speak local languages and help get you to where you need to go. Consider one, especially if you’re a solo traveler.
Choose Electric When Driving
Sometimes, you’ll need to drive or rent a car to get somewhere, especially if you’re traveling in the United States. Whenever possible, opt for a smaller car or consider an electric vehicle to minimize the environmental impact of your travel. Be sure to locate charging stations along your route before trips, in case of emergencies.
Support Local Businesses and Artisans
Most people buy souvenirs for friends and family or to cherish memories of their trip; this is fine, and doing so can even help local businesses. Be mindful of what you purchase and where it comes from. Mass-produced, cheap souvenirs can be made with wasteful materials that may even exploit cultural symbols. Certain poached souvenirs may harm local wildlife, including endangered species. Find local artisans who use natural and ethically sourced materials. Local populations are usually happy to share a piece of their culture with you, but be sure to purchase goods that are ethically produced and locally sourced.
Learn the Language and Culture
The beauty of exploring such a vast world is experiencing the differences in language, culture, and customs. If you go everywhere expecting to be spoken to in your native tongue, you’ll miss out on some incredible educational opportunities. You will behave and believe differently from other people. Embrace it by learning a few phrases in their language or enjoying a local custom when invited. When you take time to respect and learn about other cultures, you’ll establish meaningful connections instead of consuming everything in sight. Others may also be eager to learn about your lifestyle in return.
Choose Lodging Wisely
You’ll obviously need a bed to sleep in when traveling, but be cautious about where you choose to stay. Familiar chain hotels may be a sight for sore eyes, but they may engage in exploitative or wasteful practices in the communities they operate in abroad. Instead, support a locally owned hotel, guesthouse, or eco-lodge. Look for options that are local, sustainable, and opt for waste reduction practices.
Participate, Don’t Record
You may not find your trip as enriching if you hide behind a smartphone camera the entire time. Local populations may not appreciate being photographed or recorded without consent. There’s nothing wrong with documenting your trip, but consider putting your phone down occasionally and letting your senses take in the experience. Admire the sights, sounds, smells, textures, and even tastes of the area you’re in. Take some local cooking classes or visit a local music hall. Ask for local recommendations when it’s polite to do so. Become a part of the region and culture when appropriate. These places are homes, memories, and livelihoods, not just backdrops to a movie about you.
Conclusion
When you respect local cultures and are mindful about your waste, you can travel the world with style, safety, and sustainability. Play an active role in reducing the environmental impact of your vacation. Use public transportation or walk whenever possible. Eat home-grown, seasonal foods. Support local businesses, lodging, and artisans. Listen and observe instead of recording and exploiting. Treat other cultures and environments with respect, and you may find your trips much more rewarding.
