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7 Ways to Create a Positive Change in Travel

Happy New Year! Another year past and a new year just beginning, so what better way to start your year than by setting some more sustainable goals?

This year, we’re sharing 7 awesome ways to help create a positive change in travel. Whether the change is big or small, taking those steps towards a more sustainable earth is very important to the future of tourism.

1. Support local accommodations

There are many options for travel accommodations around the world, both big and small. Whether you’re staying at a bed and breakfast, a hostel or a larger chain hotel, the key is making sure that they are locally run. For example, if you’re booking your accommodations in Costa Rica from a hotel chain that is run in the USA, chances are very little of your payment will actually go towards supporting the locals. If you ensure that where you are staying is managed and operated by local people, there is a higher chance that most (if not all) revenues will go straight back into the local economy.

2. Be aware of sustainability factors in accommodations

It’s not just up to the hotel to ensure their guests are traveling sustainably, it is also up to the guests to make sure that they’re making all efforts possible to make their stay a more eco-friendly one. Of course, you should be looking for proof that the hotel is green (awards, badges, eco-friendly systems, etc.), but you can also do little things on  your own to help out. For example, limit your showers, insist that the bed linens and towels don’t need to be changed every day, only use the lights you need when in the room, etc.

3. Do your research before booking animal tours and interactions

There has been a lot of scrutiny around animal tours and interactions in the last few years. Many companies and publishers are working as hard as they can to help tourists clarify what makes a tour animal-friendly. However, there is still a grey area for many tours and interactions around the world today. It is up to you to do your research beforehand and make sure that the activities you’re joining in on are safe for the animals.

4. Dress and act appropriately

No matter which country you’re visiting, there are always various customs and traditions not to be taken lightly. Do the research ahead of time to make sure that you’re packing the appropriate outfits and that you’re well prepared for what their traditions might include. In some countries it’s important to cover your head, in other countries, you mustn’t look one another in the eye, it all depends on where you’re going.

5. Eat at local restaurants

While there’s no denying that McDonald’s around the world tends to always have an accessible toilet and free WiFi, it is important that you focus on supporting local businesses. If you choose to eat at an international food chain, you’re likely giving most of your hard earned money back to the multi-billion dollar corporations. If you choose to eat at locally owned and managed restaurants, your money will be supporting local employees and local business owners.

6. Avoid overrun destinations

There are many negative impacts to a destination being overrun by tourism. The environment is only able to accept a certain amount of change in any given space. If the number of visitors outweigh the environments ability to accept this change, we are only making environmental matters worse. Consider how much water resources the destination has, how much food and local resources they carry and how much noise and air pollution we contribute to. There are many ways to destroy a overrun destination, so why not explore the off the beaten path destinations a little more?

7. Only donate what is needed

Bringing donations along with you while you travel is very thoughtful, but it’s important to understand what is needed before bringing them 100 new notebooks after they’ve already received an unlimited supply. Take the time to research the area and figure out what they’re lacking and what exactly could help.


Is there anything that you would add to the list? How about purchasing hand-made souvenirs? Booking tours locally? Or just being friendly? Let’s make 2017 an incredible year in travel, just don’t forget to travel sustainably and always thinking about ways you can create a positive change in the destinations you visit.


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