Planet-friendly ways to explore the world are more popular than ever, but how do you start to make better decisions when you travel?
As tourism continues to recover from the pandemic, 61% of people say the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future, based on a desire to make positive changes in their lives more generally. And there’s never been a greater time to rethink past habits and reshape the way we currently travel than in the present day.
If you want to become a more conscious traveller, the travel experts at Attractiontickets.com have outlined their top 10 tips and tricks to help you travel more sustainably.
From investing in eco-friendly products to staying local – this is how you can green up your travels.
Image Credit: AttractionTickets.com
Take the Eurostar or ferry to reduce emissions
Although it can be more time-consuming, travelling via the Eurostar or ferry helps to improve your carbon footprint rather than flying. Rail travel accounts for 14g of C02, and the ferry has 19g of C02 emissions per passenger per mile, making this a more environmentally-friendly option than flights at 158g. This is known as ‘slow travel’ which encourages tourists to take their time and choose slower modes of transport to stay longer and fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
When you book Disneyland Paris hotel packages with AttractionTickets.com you can book your Eurostar journey at the same time, making it even easier and a much greener choice.
Choose a sustainable travel destination
Researching how sustainable the country you’re planning on travelling to is is a small but big change you can make to your travel habits.
Switzerland was voted number 1 in the green living ranking for 2022, closely followed by Finland and Sweden. These ‘green’ destinations support the celebration of local culture and tradition, involve the local business community, and protect scenic views, habitats and wildlife. By visiting these countries, you are benefiting their local economy, putting more money into countries that are doing good for the world.
Carry a reusable water bottle
As a nation, we use 7.7 billion plastic bottles a year and it takes over 500 years for plastic to fully decompose. So, whether you’re in the Maldives sunbathing or waiting in a theme park queue at Disney World, using a reusable water bottle is a great way to keep you hydrated whilst not contributing to more plastic waste.
Travel mugs are also essential for those colder destinations to keep your hot drinks warm and can act as your very own hand warmer.
Stay local and make the most of local attractions
One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to stay local and not travel too far.
Luckily, there are so many amazing places on our doorstep, so welcome a good staycation with open arms. The capital is a great option to explore, from the Warner Bros Studio Tour to see the making of Harry Potter, to a day of thrills at Legoland with the whole family.
Don’t print out booking confirmations
In the digital world, we live in, it’s very easy and straightforward to download boarding passes and screenshot booking confirmations onto your phone. All airports and hotels worldwide accept digital tickets, so this saves a lot of paper waste as well as time.
When you book with AttractionTickets.com your Disney tickets are available through Disney Magic Mobile – a digital pass, easily downloaded to your phone.
Try and book direct flights
For far-away travel destinations a plane can be your only option, however, have you considered booking a direct flight instead of stopping for layovers?
From a carbon emissions standpoint, flying is one of the more polluting activities that we do. Fortunately, because take-off and landing are the most energy-intensive portions of a flight, you can reduce your carbon footprint simply by flying nonstop, which has the added benefit of being both faster and easier.
Invest in eco-friendly travel products
Bringing eco-friendly items with you on your travels doesn’t require much effort or space, and maybe products you already have in the cupboard.
From bamboo utensils to natural deodorants these simple swaps will help you to live a more sustainable life both at home and abroad.
Opt for a sustainable hotel
When choosing a hotel or resort to book, research and look out for those that are actively trying to minimise their environmental impact – the core elements include reducing waste, saving energy, and cutting down on water usage.
Even big resorts like Walt Disney World Orlando are acknowledging the importance of sustainability and announced two new solar facilities in collaboration with local utility providers, which are expected to come online near the Orlando Resort this year. These facilities, along with existing solar sources will power up to 40% of the resort’s annual electricity needs.
Eat locally
Eating local food is much better for the environment as there are significant emissions of carbon arising from the ‘food miles’ associated with transporting food at great distances.
Whether it’s freshly baked bread for breakfast or the catch of the day at the nearby restaurant, choosing local isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also healthier and a great way to put money into the local community.
Consider a bike or walking tours
Walking and bike tours are not only great for health benefits but are one of the best ways to explore new places and admire the scenery without driving.
Whether you’re exploring New York and looking at iconic film set locations or biking through Paris admiring the Eiffel Tower, this option gives you a more personal and local experience.
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