When going on vacation, there are many things to consider, from flight tickets to accommodations and other travel essentials. But did you know there's another thing to think about before a trip? It is the impact of our travel on the environment, and this is where sustainable travel comes in.

Sustainable travel is one form of a sustainable lifestyle. It aims to ensure that tourism can be sustained over the long term without destroying the natural and cultural environment.

Sustainable travel is becoming more popular as the negative impact of tourism on environmental sustainability becomes more concerning. The reason is, traveling is an activity that depends on the burning of fossil fuels, which contributes to climate change.

Therefore, the world community is invited to adopt sustainable travel for a sustainable life. Do you want to participate in sustainable travel?

This article will discuss the benefits of being a sustainable traveler and how to be one.

What you eat on vacation significantly impacts your ecological footprint there. Some travelers like to eat things they are familiar with, but think about how that might affect the destination country or city.

Part of sustainable tourism is consuming local products and food from local or regional businesses. Of course, part of the experience of traveling to a new place is eating local food, right? Eating local food will save a lot of emissions, and you can also get a new taste from the food you try for the first time.

In many tourist spots, animals are used to attract tourists, but they could be treated better. Sustainable tourism includes avoiding animal attractions that are not in the animals' best interests. If the demand for such entertainment wanes, these places may one day cease to exist, and the wild animals may be free.

Choose an accommodation that adopts sustainable practices to ensure that your stay doesn't have a negative impact. When doing your research, look for problems at your destination, such as trash or wastewater problems, and find out whether the hotel you choose is transparent about its efforts to take good care of the environment.

You can also find out whether the hotel where you are staying buys local groceries for its restaurant, uses eco-friendly materials in its guest rooms, and treats its employees well. Your choices about the places you visit can help keep your destination clean.

When you support sustainable hotels and companies, you also support local communities by directly stimulating the local economy. In destinations with significant tourism, where the big operators bring in tourists, the financial benefits usually go with them. So it's best if you choose a provider that works with locals. You are boosting the economy where it is needed and where it will have the most positive impact.

Tourism can create demand for other services and goods, and it can provide opportunities for innovative businesses to offer something of value. This value can be anything from quality food and drink to sports and leisure services.

The opportunities presented to the region can help improve relations between tourism companies and local communities. At the same time, businesses moving to the area can also take advantage of the demand for goods and services. These businesses can also provide jobs for local people.

Also read: Sustainable Travel in Gothenburg, Sweden

Slow travel can be defined as a tourist trip taken in a leisurely manner. The quality of travel is more important than the quantity. This style of travel will allow you to get to know the place you are visiting.

Traveling slowly is possible by using bicycles, trains, buses, and other modes of public transportation. Using these options or walking makes travel more environmentally friendly because carbon emissions are lower than air travel.

Besides benefiting the local community, buying local products means protecting the environment. We can save fuel and reduce air pollution by drastically reducing the distance traveled when moving goods.

As a sustainable traveler, awareness of environmentally friendly products has become a responsible consumer ethic.

Taking pictures with wild animals on your trip could make your experience more exciting. However, paying attention to the condition of the wild animals you want to take photos with is a good idea. Is this activity just a concept of forced attraction? If so, avoid it immediately.

Another way to be a sustainable traveler is by planning your trip and making a packing list accordingly. This way, you won't have to buy a new piece of an item you already have at home.

Find out what the weather and culture are like in your destination so you can pack your clothes accordingly. Bring your own shopping bag, food containers, personal care supplies, and other items to reduce single-use plastics.

The key lies in the travel time. Instead of choosing to travel during the high season, you can travel at times that are only sometimes chosen for vacations. Traveling during the off-season allows you to help nature and the environment be better preserved.

Sustainable development is a long journey that must be undertaken together. Being a part of big things can start with small things, such as traveling.

Did you know that you can arrange your trip with Traveloka? Traveloka allows you to book airplane tickets, hotel rooms, and attraction tickets in one app. With so many routes, hotels, and activities available, you can easily choose the more sustainable options for your travel!