After years exploring the globe, it was the sight of a litter-strewn tropical island which became the travel memory Nina Karnikowski couldn’t forget.

“I had been growing increasingly concerned about the impact my travels were having on our stressed planet,” she explains. “Certain memories — a plastic-covered island in Borneo, a distressed polar bear swimming away from our tourist boat in the Arctic — would not fade. I wanted to find out how I, and every traveller, could see the world in a much less harmful way.”

That question became new book Go Lightly, looking at all aspects of how to travel without hurting the planet, from tips on planning and packing to sustainable ways to make the journey, where to eat and stay, even the impact of what you post on social media.

And as travel begins to restart across the globe, there’s never been a better time to consider how we explore, rather than slipping back into destructive old habits.

Because during lockdowns, the reality of our own impact has become more apparent than ever: global carbon emissions decreased by as much as 17 per cent, the lowest in 14 years.

“Once our devastation about the loss of lives and livelihoods abated, we realised the pandemic could show us a cleaner, slower, more conscious travel world,” says Nina. “But while the travel industry is responsible for an estimated eight per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, it’s also a lifeline.

“Tourism accounts for one in ten jobs, teaches tolerance and broadens world views. Luckily there are so many things we can all do to balance our curiosity with consciousness, and say yes to travel that conserves, educates and inspires more than it destroys.”

Her goal is to encourage us to make simple changes to support positive impacts rather than negative ones, whether that’s choosing local guides, eating in restaurants that are locally owned, serving locally sourced ingredients, or planning slower adventures rather than a frenetic whirlwind stay ticking off high-profile sights.

“We pack our travel itineraries to the brim because we’re terrified we’ll miss something. But what we’re really missing is serendipity,” she points out. “If you organise less, you’re more open to discovery, which is what makes travel so memorable.

Choose your destination wisely

Destinations like Barcelona, Dubrovnik and Venice were being “loved to death” by tourists before the pandemic, says Nina. There’s a reason these cities and other bucket list destinations are so popular, but we need to consider under-touristed places rather than those already buckling under the strain.

Something as simple as searching ‘alternatives to [popular destination]’ is a good start, she suggests. Or focus on those destinations with low-impact tourism policies which protect natural resources, people and heritage — for example, Bhutan caps its tourist numbers and ensures a minimum spend of $250 per day, while the Pacific archipelago of Palau asks visitors to sign a sustainable tourism pledge.

More and more companies are focused on responsible tourism too, so it’s easier than ever to use one with eco-friendly and socially aware values. Nina picks out Responsible Travel, Intrepid Travel, G Adventures and Much Better Adventures, which has just launched a new collection of rewilding adventures, as some of the best.

Once you arrive, do your bit to leave no trace of your stay, or better still, improve the destination. That means basics like disposing of your own rubbish, but also helping pick up any that has been left by others — sites such as take3.org and 10pieces.com.au all encourage travellers to collect a few pieces of litter each day while travelling. A small difference, perhaps, but with millions (or billions) joining in, the impact could be huge.

Think small

Just five per cent of money spent by tourists stays in the local community, according to the UN’s World Tourism Organisation, so choosing your accommodation wisely is essential. Support small-scale businesses and lodges, including B&Bs, farm and homestays rather than foreign-owned hotels and rentals.

Smaller hotels usually produce much less rubbish and pollution than big resorts, adds Nina, and help you experience the destination in a more authentic way: staying in a traditional ryokan inn in Tokyo provides completely different memories to a high-rise international hotel.

Homestays also allow you to learn first-hand about a local way of life, with sites like homestay.com connecting tourists and hosts.

Sustainable policies are becoming more common in bigger hotels, but it pays to challenge the claim: ask exactly how your accommodation makes a difference — does it employ locals or support the community in another way? If they claim to be eco-friendly, can they tell you what they do with your grey water, for example?

“Beware of greenwashing,” she says. “One example is those notes hotels place in rooms telling you to reuse your towel, while they make little effort elsewhere to reduce water or energy consumption.”

If you’re not sure whether to believe sustainability claims, bookdifferent.com ensures these are checked by third parties and calculates carbon footprints for accommodation. Or green accommodation search engine ecobnb.com includes organic farmhouses and glamping.

Another memorable option is the Landmark Trust which rescues historic buildings for travellers to rent, including a pineapple-shaped 18th century summerhouse in Scotland and a cottage on a medieval abbey site near Portofino, Italy.

Cruise thoughtfully

Cruising may seem the antithesis of sustainable travel but approach it the right way, and it’s still an option.

“Between the environmental impact of megaships and brief stops at the destinations you visit, which can lead to over-touristing and minimal financial benefit for the local economies, cruising has some obvious downsides,” says Nina. “But seeing a country by water can be a terrific way of travelling.”

Instead, stick to smaller ships with a maximum of 250 passengers, as most use cleaner marine gas oil rather than fuel oil, while the newest ships are more likely to be energy efficient and eco-sensitive.

Some cruise lines also have their own sustainability programmes, particularly in fragile environments like the Galapagos Islands and Antarctica, where environmental protection is key.

Elsewhere, Virgin Voyages has no single-use plastics on board, and has a focus on waste and water recycling, while Peregrine Adventures offers carbon neutral cruises.

Even better, choose sailing over cruising. If you charter a yacht or sailboat, your carbon footprint will be much lighter, you’ll be able to travel on your own schedule and you can visit the more remote village and unspoilt beaches that cruise ships can’t access. You can also stay longer, making a more meaningful contribution to the local economy.

An electric boat or solar-powered yacht is less harmful to marine environments than petrol-powered boats and quieter too, and you can often hire a skipper and cook, as well as sharing with friends or other families to reduce your impact further.

Protect the wild

The chance to discover the world’s wonderful creatures is often a highlight of travelling, but tourism’s impact is not always positive: according to World Animal Protection, more than 550,000 animals suffer every day from tourist operations and attractions, often without visitors being aware.

“When done right, wildlife tourism helps us appreciate and support animals and their environments, but when it’s not, it can be a nasty abusive business with horrific consequences,” says Nina. At its simplest, avoid any situation where an animal is forced to act against its natural instincts.

Safaris are one of the most ethical ways to interact with animals, as you’re observing them in their natural habitat, and tourism to national parks and reserves can help with wildlife conservation. Poaching levels rose again with national park staff laid off during the pandemic, and fewer tourists adding the protection of their eyes and ears.

As ever, choose your destination and tour operators carefully though, picking under-touristed destinations where possible or those which need support.

Rwanda, Botswana and Namibia all have great sustainable track records, ensuring tourism, conservation and local communities all benefit, while Nina recommends Wilderness Safaris for its commitment to sustainability.

And consider multi-day walking safaris — they’re much more peaceful and liberating, and let you see and hear nature in ways you don’t from a vehicle.

Go Lightly is published by Laurence King Publishing on April 1, priced £14.99

 

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