Only those who set out will discover new lands! These words by Hugo von Hofmannsthal are truer than ever. The desire to travel is not just a trend, but a life-changing tendency that shapes our personality and broadens our horizons. New friendships revitalize our souls, exotic foods, wild animals and breathtaking plants teach us to look at life from a completely new perspective. But how do we combine this longing for adventure with our green conscience and our passion for sustainability? Here you will find inspiring tips for sustainable travel that will turn your next vacation into an eco-friendly experience.
Sustainable travel starts with planning
- Discover local treasures: It’s good for the environment and your travel budget if you explore destinations nearby. Austria offers wonderful destinations, especially for weekend trips or short breaks.
- Cycling adventures: How about a summer vacation on a bike or e-bike? You can start right on your doorstep and do no harm to the environment in terms of CO₂ emissions. An environmentally friendly alternative to the car.
- Sustainable transportation: Wherever possible, choose the train instead of the car. Rail travel is more resource-efficient and often offers breathtaking views.
- Stay in guesthouses or apartments: guesthouses & apartments are often a more sustainable option than large all-inclusive hotels. They are often family-run and integrate better into the surroundings.
- Digital planning: Say goodbye to printed travel catalogs. Most tour operators make their programs available online. If you prefer to browse through catalogs, bring them back to the travel agency where they can be reused.
- Environmentally friendly activities: Choose activities that respect the environment. Hiking, biking, and nature watching are great ways to enjoy the beauty of nature without leaving a negative impact.
- Enjoy local gastronomy: Support local restaurants and try regional specialties. This not only promotes the local economy, but also reduces the ecological footprint, as the food products are often sourced locally.
Sustainable travel means being environmentally conscious from start to finish. With these additional tips, you can do even more to help preserve our beautiful world.
Sustainable flying - when there is no other way
Air travel has a considerable CO₂ footprint. An airplane emits around seven times as much CO₂ per person as a bus. But there are ways to fly in a more environmentally friendly way:
- Flight compensation: With providers such as Atmosfair Airline, Climate Austria or Regenwald.at you can offset your flight emissions. Enter your flight details to calculate your CO₂ emissions and buy offset certificates that support climate protection projects.
- The right airline: The environmental impact varies depending on the airline. The Atmosfair Airline Index rates airlines according to their climate efficiency. You can select airlines based on their CO₂ efficiency.
- Prefer direct flights: Environmentally conscious travelers should choose shorter direct flights instead of longer connecting flights, even if the latter are often cheaper.
- Light luggage: Every extra kilo of luggage increases fuel consumption. So pack only the essentials and consider swapping books for e-books.
- Avoid waste on board: Contribute to sustainability by not ordering food wrapped in plastic and using reusable drinking bottles if the tap water at your destination is drinkable.
Sustainability on site
Sustainable travel doesn’t stop at transportation. Here are some ways you can travel eco-friendly locally:
- Use public transportation or share a bus instead of taking a cab.
- Camping instead of staying in large hotels to minimize the environmental impact.
- Explore the area by bus, bike or on foot instead of hiring a car.
More sustainable cruises
Cruises are a popular vacation option, but they have a high carbon footprint. Around 300 grams of CO₂ are emitted per person per kilometer, similar to flying. But there are ways to improve here too:
- Choose “greener” ships: The environmental ranking of the NABU annually evaluates the most environmentally friendly cruise ships in Europe. (Detailed results of the 2023 cruise ranking).
- Choose the right port of departure: opt for cruises whose departure and destination ports can be reached by land to avoid air travel.
Respectful behavior abroad
- Treat people and their culture with respect.
- Pay fair prices and support local offers instead of international chains.
- When in doubt, it is better to tip too much than too little.
Are you ready to explore the world and protect our environment at the same time? With these sustainable travel tips, you can explore the world while having a positive impact on our planet. Enjoy your vacation and leave no trace behind, except your footprints in the sand!
PS: To make sure you don’t run out of energy during your next adventure – find out more about the 10 best vegan protein sources here.
