Sustainable and environmentally friendly travel is a growing trend. Traveling green means not only protecting nature but also discovering the true essence of the places we are going to visit. An opportunity to feel not just tourists but real welcome guests of peoples, cultures and territories
World Earth Day was celebrated just yesterday. An opportunity to remind us how important it is to make sustainable travels. That is, discovering cities and towns while respecting not only the natural environment and its inhabitants but also local traditions.
Sustainable travel is a trend that is good for the ecosystem and allows us to live unforgettable experiences.
Sustainable travel is a very broad topic and the choice of means of transport is not the only point to be addressed. In fact, there are various aspects of the trip to consider, from the booking procedure to the waste disposal.
Omio, platform and app for booking train, plane, bus and ferry tickets, has compiled a list of practical tips both for those who want to start traveling responsibly and for those who already consider themselves expert but want to behave even more attentive to the environment.
10 tips to start sustainable travel
1 Not just air: evaluate all the alternatives
Avoiding cruises with a high environmental impact may be simple, but things get more complicated with regard to the plane, often preferred because it is fast. Thanks to Omio, however, it is possible to compare the various travel options and find out how trains and buses are often faster and cheaper than you think and save CO2.
2 Explore the surroundings
A tip that is as simple as it is effective: short distances reduce our ecological footprint, plus you won’t have to worry about long journeys by train or bus. Plan a trip in stages or try the night trains. This also saves a night in the hotel and in the morning you are ready to discover your destination.
3 Use e-tickets only
Printing tickets is now obsolete. The Omio app guarantees access to all reservations and tickets, at any time, even offline, and allows you to manage your stays directly from the app thanks to the partnership with Booking.com.
4 Reduce waste
Traveling produces a lot of waste that could easily be avoided. For example, it is always good to carry a bottle with you instead of buying one bottle after another, avoid take-aways that produce too much plastic and prefer your own shampoo, shower gel and soap, leaving the complimentary bottles at the hotel.
5 Get around by bike or public transport
Once there, it is best to travel by local public transport or with a bike. This choice, in addition to being sustainable, is also economical and allows you to immediately immerse yourself in the destination.
6 Prefer local alternatives to large chains
Better to book a small family-run hotel, try local dishes in authentic restaurants, have a coffee in a small bar and choose local products. This way you will get into the spirit of the destination and discover it as a true local.
7 Do not dispose of waste in nature
For those who love to spend time surrounded by nature, it is always good to bring a waste bag. In fact, the baskets are not always present or are often overcrowded. Collect all the trash and throw it out whenever possible.
8 Respect nature
Many do not know that collecting shells, corals, stones and sand is prohibited in many countries and can even be sanctioned. First of all, it is important to protect local ecosystems and leave them as intact as possible.
9 Respect animals
Taking a selfie with animals is not a responsible tourism practice. Don’t be pushy and just admire them from afar!
10 Save energy while you are away
Before leaving on vacation, make sure you have turned off the heating, lights, gas and all unnecessary devices.
Expert tips
-Choose a self-made vacation instead of an all-inclusive one
Booking an all-inclusive holiday already organized down to the smallest detail is a great temptation. But sustainable alternatives are not always proposed, both in terms of means of transport and accommodation. Plus, planning your vacation yourself is also a great way to support restaurants, shops, and small producers.
-Prefer road transport
Traveling by train or bus sometimes involves longer times. However, it allows you not to get lost in breathtaking views, to immerse yourself in the destination and to get in touch with the local inhabitants. One solution could be to plan itineraries in stages. In this way you will go deeper into the exploration of the destination and get to know its characteristics better.
-Pack only what is strictly necessary
Bring only what you really need, because more weight means more emissions. Let’s be honest, who hasn’t realized at the end of the holidays that they haven’t used even half of the things?
-Get out of the box
The most beautiful and most sustainable trips (and those that will remain in the heart the longest) are those that avoid too touristy destinations. Choosing an unusual and less inflated destination will make the travel experience unique and will allow you to support local populations who normally derive little profit from tourism.
-Travel plastic-free
Few people manage to travel completely without plastic, yet sustainable alternatives to this material are not lacking. For example, you can pack reusable travel cutlery, an organic cotton tote bag, a windbreaker made from recycled materials, solid shampoo and cotton pads.
-Choose a green sunscreen
Traditional sun creams contain substances that affect the delicate balance of ecosystems. So, especially on the beach, choose a natural and organic sunscreen that respects the sea and the surrounding environment.
-Renounce air conditioning
It is advisable to avoid the use of the air conditioner as much as possible, even in the hottest destinations. Of course, you will have to put up with the heat a bit, but you will save energy and avoid coughs and sore throats on vacation.
-Do not litter and collect what you find
In addition to collecting your own waste, do not let those scattered by others remain where they are. So welcome them or participate in group initiatives (for example those for cleaning beaches). It is a useful and original way to take care of the environment, get in touch with local people and make new friends.
-Choose sustainable accommodation
Booking sustainable accommodation isn’t always easy. Fortunately, however, more and more platforms are choosing to introduce labels to identify green accommodations. Or who offer ecological living solutions immersed in nature.
-Support local initiatives
Responsible tourism also means offering support to local inhabitants. Especially if your destination is a poorer place than your country of origin. Remember to tip if it is customary. Plus, choose local travel guides and find out about organizations that participate in social support projects.
About Omio
Since its launch in 2013, Omio has been supporting customers in discovering different ways to travel. The rebranding into Omio has enabled the group to go beyond booking travel and become an all-encompassing travel hub, supporting travelers’ need to explore Europe, the US and Canada by train, bus, plane and ferry. From a small startup of just a few people, the team has grown to more than 300 employees from over 50 countries working in offices in Berlin, Prague, Melbourne and London.
Info
www.omnio.com
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