Joanna James
Sustainable travel's never been more in conversation, and travellers are actively looking for ways to cut down carbon footprints. Contrary to the popular solution, "stay close to home", you still can travel the world in an environmentally friendly manner while contributing to host communities.
In this era of social media-fuelled travel, it's no surprise that many holiday-seekers may look forward to hitting those classic bucket list destinations that have been trending online. As tempting as it can be to Instagram the mind-blowing facade of the Taj Mahal or that typical couple's photograph in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower, your visit to these already-overcrowded parts of the earth could only add to the global threat of "overtourism", resulting in severe strains on mother nature. Instead, get off the beaten path and take the roads less travelled to discover untouched sites while indulging in crowd-free tranquil luxury.
If you have got a hotspot tourist destination on your bucket list that your heart simply won't pass up on, consider making your trip outside peak months. This way, you'd not only be visiting popular star attractions around the world but would also be much more sustainable than the majority, as your travels will put no strain on the environment as it does during crowded peak seasons. Aside from affording guilt-free trips to most sought-after destinations, travelling during shoulder or off seasons let you avail yourself of unbelievably low prices and the absence of thronging crowds, making it sort of a "best of both worlds" choice.
Put your efforts to travel responsibly and sustainably into good use by visiting not just any holiday destination but places that actively commit to promoting sustainability. For instance, if you have your heart set on tropical South Asia, the best things to do in Maldives go in line with the principles or practices of sustainability. The island nation is also home to a host of environmentally conscious hotels and resorts, including the likes of Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences.
It's only natural that travellers tend to take the quickest mode of transportation and spend the least possible time on roads. While this may certainly help tick destinations off your cramped-up itinerary, you are also leaving a huge noxious footprint. Contribute to cutting down carbon emissions by embracing slow travel while enjoying the precious and wondrous things mother nature has to offer that can only be enjoyed only in the slow-moving lane of life.
Steer clear of imported food items and high-end international restaurants that add to the global carbon footprint. Stick to local dishes that are cooked using locally sourced ingredients, so that you don't violate your commitment towards sustainable travel, at the same time treating yourself to get a taste of the local authentic cuisine.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
