How to Travel Sustainably This Summer lifestyle

Whether you’ve got a trip coming up soon or you want some ideas for your next holiday, we've got you covered on how to make the most of your holiday as eco-friendly as possible! Sustainable travel is not just about cutting down on air miles, it’s about being creative and making smarter choices in every aspect of the trip. We’ve put together a list of simple things you can do to travel more sustainably, along with some suggestions and inspiration on how to build an ideal sustainable holiday.

Cutting Down On Your Waste: Travel Edition

The best thing you can do to make your holiday as sustainable as possible is to cut down on your waste in general. This involves anything from packing a capsule wardrobe, to getting around locally by bike rather than getting taxis to reduce your carbon footprint, and saving electricity by putting up your ‘do not disturb sign’ in your hotel room. Stick to the basics and don’t forget to pack your reusables like a water bottle, coffee cup, shopping bag, bamboo cutlery and steel straw to cut down on your single-use plastic. Consider bringing zero-waste toiletries such as shampoo bars and face wash to reduce your waste - plus this means you won’t have to worry about liquids when you go through security at the airport! It's a win win!

Support the Local Economy

Support the local economy as much as you can by eating and drinking locally and seeking out traditional dishes made with local produce. The beauty of ethical eating when travelling is that it encourages you to try new cuisines and experience the best that a region can offer.

Opt for More Ethical and Sustainable Activities

Swimming with dolphins and riding an elephant can seem exciting, but if you're keen to see how wild animals live in their natural habitat, choose activities that offer ethical and sustainable interactions with animals such as elephant sanctuaries and marine conservation volunteering to avoid unethical animal tourism.

Planning A Sustainable Holiday: Beyond Green

The best place to start when booking your sustainable holiday is to find an eco-friendly travel destination offering sustainable accommodation. Beyond green is a portfolio of hotels, resorts and lodges offering a range of spectacular experiences in unique locations around the world. Their purpose is to demonstrate sustainable tourism leadership through actions and impact that also delivers a wonderful guest experience. Beyond Green have also partnered with andBeyond Travel to allow you to plan and book a full holiday itinerary across selected countries in Africa and South America.

Visit StayBeyondGreen.com

Eco-conscious Accommodation: InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa

Our top pick from Beyond Green’s portfolio is the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. This spectacular resort is committed to making a positive and transformative impact by working to restore coral reef systems by employing Biorock technology which promotes coral growth. They’ve also got an on-site coral nursery, the Lagoonarium which serves as a sanctuary to more than 200 marine species, allowing guests to learn about tropical sea life conservation. The resort’s sustainability action plan also involves using a one-of-a-kind innovative Sea Water Air Conditioning system to avoid using harmful chemicals when providing air conditioning.

Visit Thalasso.InterContinental.com

If you want more inspiration and tips on how to travel sustainably, take a look at these books which will provide you with all the information you need for a mindful and sustainable vacation.

The Eco-Conscious Travel Guide by Giorgina Wilso-Powell

From coastal, to cultural to mountainous, The Eco-Conscious Travel Guide features 30 European rail adventures including Alpine Ambles, Ski Escapes, Chocolate, Cheese and Wine-fuelled Wanders to inspire your next trip!

Visit Waterstones.com

Wherever You Go By Daniel Houghton