If you are a conscious traveller and would like to travel greener, a good start while doing this, is when you plan your trip. Sometimes we forget it’s about making choices and they already start when booking flights and searching for accommodation. I’ve listed a few practical tips to get you started to plan a more sustainable and greener trip. In the 9th paragraph I added a link of an executive summary about the definition of overtourism, for those who are interested.

Visit off-beat places

Travelling to Rome is an unique cultural and historical experience. Unfortunately, the city became too popular which led too huge crowds of tourists. This global impact of too many tourists is called overtourism. It effects the infrastructure, environment and ecosystems. It also has a deep impact on the locals and their social and cultural structures. Prices go up and the local community is sometimes forced to live somewhere else. The trend of overtourism was not slowing down. Until the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cities and other popular holiday destinations went from overtourism to no-tourism during the pandemic. It went from one extreme to another. What the effects of Covid-19 pandemic will be for the tourism industry is hard to predict.

But for future journeys it’s worth mentioning to visit lesser known places. Try to visit smaller cities so you can avoid the crowds. You are also supporting the local, less stronger, economies in other regions.

Travel during low season

If you prefer to visit Rome, and you should, try to go during low season. For Rome this means from October until March, so during the European winter months. There will be fewer people, prices are lower and you will support the local economy during low season.

Travel by public transport

The least environment friendly transport mode is by airplane. I’m not here to make you feel guilty but these are the facts. We still like to explore far away countries and exotic beaches. I do too. And I can’t blame you. The trick is to take lesser flights. Try to book direct flights, fly economy class and pick the airlines with the lowest emission per passenger mile. Read more tips to fly more sustainable. When you reached your destination try to travel overland, take a bus or train instead of domestic flights.

Is the distance too long to travel in one go? Do some research and plan an one night stop-over. You will be surprised how many amazing lesser known places you can visit along the way.

Eco-friendly accommodation

Eco-friendly guesthouses, hotels and resort are popping up everywhere. The tourism industry is changing and re-thinking their attitudes towards the environment. I have stayed in an eco-friendly bungalow in Varkala, India. They produced their own solar based electricity and filtered water. Worried it is too expensive? Do some research because there are many low budget eco-friendly guest houses and hotels these days. Other things you can do is reusing your towels and turn down the AC a few degrees. Turn the AC off when you open an outside door.

Re-use plastic

Try to use less plastic. Buy a sustainable water bottle. I have one from Camelbak. They are a tad expensive but they last for years. When properly used of course. Don’t use the mini toiletries at hotels and ask for filtered water instead of buying water bottles. Having that said, drinking filtered is not always a good idea. I have travelled a lot in India and I’m used to drink filtered water. When my sister visited me in India, I advised her NOT to drink filtered water. She already has some stomach problems and I did not want her to get sick. At hotels and guesthouse it’s usually save to drink filtered water. Restaurants can be tricky, because they don’t always follow the guidelines when it comes to changing water filters. 

Today, you can buy many reusable items like coffee cups, collapsible food containers, bamboo straws and cutlery. Bring a reusable shopping bag for shopping. And a soft cotton bag to wrap your shoes in, instead of plastic bags.

Spend your money on local initiatives

Stay at locally owned guest houses, hotels and resorts. Eat at independent restaurants, food trucks, markets and go out for street food. When going on a tour, look around and choose local tours and experiences. There are still many people who do not benefit from tourism. By booking authentic experiences you support the local community.

Enjoy a local beer

Drink local beers and other drinks. The local drinks are more low-carbon instead of drinking imported beers that sometimes travel half way around the world. The same applies for food. Trying out the local kitchen can be an experience by itself. I love to eat Indian food, the Biryani’s, chapati and Masala Tikka with Naan. I’m going to stop here naming examples because I am already mouth-watering.

Wildlife experiences

Spotting wildlife is amazing. But be careful. Animals are sometimes hunted and taken from their natural habitat so tourists can take pictures. Or selfies. We should not use the animals for our own entertainment. Animals need to live free and we can not intervene. There are national parks were you can spot animals in their natural habitat, like Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

Be also careful with elephants and the elephant sanctuaries. I visited one in Sri Lanka. Elephant rides are forbidden here and people do not even come close to the elephants. Except their care-takers of course. Did you know that elephants can get sick because of the oil of our skin? The elephants at these sanctuaries are mostly orphans or are getting treatment. When orphans grow up they are released back into the wild. Some elephants are too sick or too old to be set free. They usually stay but are able to live outside in nature.

Check Gateway Travel for more tips: Empowering Travel Agents for a Sustainable Future in Tourism: Seven Innovative Strategies

Learn more about ‘overtourism’.

Are you interested to understand better what overtourism entails? Download the executive summary of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Monumental highlights in Asia

I have written another article about sustainable travel, tips to fly more sustainable. It’s helpful when booking a flight and to know how you can contribute to ‘greener’ air travel.

Are you planning a trip to India? Read my tips when you plan to visit the Taj Mahal and other sites you can see in and around Agra. Don’t forget to go to Udaipur, the city of Lakes. Or go shopping in Jaipur. Visit the ruins in Mahabalipuram is or the historical monuments in Delhi.

Interested in other destinations in Asia? Check out the temples in Chiang Mai or visit Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia.