When it comes to luxury travel, it’s often all about extravagance – private jets and five-star secluded resorts. In this day and age, with environmental consciousness becoming increasingly important, luxury travel might seem at odds with sustainability. If holidaymakers make thoughtful choices and adopt sustainable practices, then sustainable luxury travel is still possible. We can still all enjoy opulent experiences while preserving the beauty of our planet.
Do your research
Before booking your trip, the best way of ensuring that you’re taking part in sustainable tourism is to research your destination. This way, you can make more responsible choices with your travel, and reduce your environmental impact. Holidaymakers should strive to choose the destinations that prioritise sustainability rather than the ones that are just popular – this way, they can support local communities while still preserving the natural resources and cultural heritage of their destination. By researching eco-friendly getaways, travellers can learn more about responsible practices, and better understand how their choices can have a positive impact on the environment.
Choose eco-friendly accommodation
Travellers should be on the lookout for hotels or resorts that promote sustainability. Many embrace practices like energy-efficient lighting and water conservation, and some even offer volunteering efforts, helping visitors to give back to the local community. By supporting eco-friendly accommodations, you’re promoting sustainability within the hospitality industry. If you need assistance finding an eco-friendly resort, or you’re looking for one that meets your needs, you can turn to a Destination Management Company (DMC). Firms like Safarak can help ensure your trip’s all about sustainable tourism.
Visit protected areas
Protected areas such as nature reserves, safari parks, and marine sanctuaries play an important part in preserving the environment, and around 8 billion people visit them each year. By visiting them on your trip you can ensure you’re taking part in sustainable tourism, all while touring areas of astounding beauty. Some offer luxury experiences – at safari parks in Africa, you can stay overnight in a lodge and get up close and personal with some of the iconic wildlife. Many of these areas rely on visits from tourists to raise funds. The funds help keep these areas safe and help them to protect endangered animals – so by visiting, you’ll be doing your part to preserve them for future generations.
Avoid single-use plastics
For luxury-seeking travellers looking to make their holiday more sustainable, ditching single-use plastics is a must. After all, between 4.8 and 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year. By avoiding disposable water bottles, straws, food packaging, and even plastic bags, you’ll be helping protect marine life and ecosystems while preserving the pristine beauty of your destination. Try to use reusable alternatives wherever possible, and support businesses that champion eco-friendly practices. This way, you can ensure your luxury holiday leaves a positive lasting impact on the environment.
Buy sustainable souvenirs
If you’re the kind of person who brings back souvenirs to remember their travels, or you like to buy gifts for loved ones, then souvenirs can sometimes be a problem. It can sometimes be difficult to find a physical reminder of your trip that’s not mass-produced, or packaged in single-use plastic. When you’re travelling, you don’t have to be completely detached from the local community. By supporting local artisans and businesses that encourage sustainability and fair trade practices, you can boost the economy and help the environment at the same time. Local food can make a great souvenir – but check the laws about bringing it out of the country first. You can often find art, souvenirs, or clothing, made out of recycled or sustainably sourced materials – buying these can all help to promote sustainable tourism.