How to Travel Sustainably in 2021

Pick a Sustainable Location

Sustainable tourism puts the focus on making a positive impact on the environment, the local economy, and the local culture as you travel. Cities and countries around the world have begun to realize the importance of sustainability. If you are going to take a trip why not consider visiting a city that is leading the way with sustainability. Sustainable Living Society has picked 3 great options for European sustainable travel destinations for 2021:

Ljubljana, Slovenia:

Slovenia’s capital is way ahead of the curve when it comes to eco-friendly and sustainable practices. The city center is a traffic-free pedestrian zone. Can you think of a nicer afternoon and walking or riding a bike through a beautiful city? There are many parks and green areas around Ljubljana, as well as an urban bee path that cares for 4,500 beehives. It is an amazing place to check out!

Águeda, Portugal:

An hour outside of Porto, Águeda has taken the lead on many sustainability initiatives to improve everything from air quality to the way tourists experience the local culture. Águeda is working to combat air pollution through sustainable public transport. For the use of tourists and locals, the city is creating urban bicycle lanes, encouraging the use of public e-bikes, adding pedestrian walking trails, and creating car-free zones. It's not only sustainable but also a beautiful city to visit.

Gozo, Malta

Want to take a trip to the Mediterranean? Why not check out Malta. Its stunning beauty will be the first thing to draw you in, followed by its Citadel and a temple complex that’s said to be older than the Egyptian pyramids. Luckily for future tourists, Gozo is carrying out a number of initiatives in its “Eco-Gozo Island 2020” strategy. This includes a push for eco-education in schools, local meals that use 100% organic ingredients, and taking steps to protect Gozo’s cultural heritage.

Find eco-conscious accommodation

Finding a sustainable hotel or Airbnb doesn't mean compromising on quality. There are some amazing accommodation options around the globe that put sustainability at the forefront of their missions.

If you plan to stay in a hotel, choose a place that holds itself to high environmental standards. These should be certified by a third party, such as Rainforest Alliance. Find out who owns the hotel and choose one whose owner is local, as opposed to a large foreign corporation; that way you know a greater portion of the profits will stay in the community. Consider alternative forms of accommodation, such as house swapping, couch surfing, or camping.

Use Zero Waste Travel Essentials

It is important to continue your sustainable habits while traveling and helping to reduce plastic consumption and waste. Bring your reusable water bottle and try packing zero waste travel products like your bamboo toothbrush and your metal straw! Also, don't forget your reef-safe sunscreen for any beach trips you're planning!

Spend Money with Local Shops

When traveling to new places it is great if you can contribute to the local economy. Why buy from H&M a fast-fashion store when you can get sustainable products from local shops and add value to their economy.

Thanks for reading!! We are TCD Sustainable living society, here to unite and elicit positive change in the world. Together we can learn a thing or two about environmentally friendly living and strive to make an impact with smart sustainable choices. If you enjoy what you read or have suggestions on topics you’d like to discuss next, leave us a comment! If you haven’t joined already, sign up to the Sustainable Living Society HERE. We look forward to creating a community of like-minded eco-warriors together! We hope you enjoyed this blog post or learned something new! If you did, why not sign up for our newsletter where we update you every week on the latest in Sustainable Living!!