As life speeds up, we’re increasingly told to slow down. Take a moment. Just be. But have you thought about it in terms of traveling? Your annual sun holiday?
Yes, slow travel is a thing! And it’s so important – whether you’re travelling for leisure or business.
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We’re not here to tell you that you can’t take your much-longed for holiday. We all need a break and a reset, and for many of us, travelling and holidays are a key way of doing that. For others, their entire livelihood is based around helping the rest of us explore and enjoy the world. But to rephrase that often-shared Instagram post, the world doesn’t need a few people not travelling at all; many people travelling more lightly is also a step in the right direction. So whether you’re hoping to hike somewhere intrepid, kayak around remote sea caves, wild swim in therapeutic cold water settings, or simply soak up the sun in Tenerife, our passion for seeing other places isn’t going to ease off.
But what does slow travel, or sustainable travel mean? This guide looks at how you can be part of this positive way of travelling, whether, as individuals, as a business, and in partnership with like-minded organisations.
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So what does it mean?
Sustainable travel means actively choosing to reduce your negative impact on environments and communities, while you explore the world. It's making conscious choices that reduce your carbon footprint while enhancing positive experiences for travellers and the locals whose destination you’re exploring.
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And while it reflects the ‘be slow’ trend, sustainable travel isn’t just putting a shiny veneer on what you do. It’s a fundamental shift in how you travel. Originally called “ecotourism”, in the 1980s, “responsible travel” captures a way of seeing the world that conserves the environment, sustains the wellbeing of the local people, and also builds understanding of places via the people visiting and those being visited. And looking on the sunny side, sustainable travel can become the means to be kinder to the environment rather than being another stressor on it. Small shifts such as finding a sustainable villa to stay in, and channelling your eco-mindset as you would at home, make a difference. Whether for work or play, being away doesn’t mean switching off your green brain.
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If you’re regularly zipping off on long-haul journeys or opting to travel sustainably at home or overseas, adopting eco-conscious habits can inspire others to make a difference. The power is in your hands!
Thinking about a few things to reduce your impact, you could look at:
Thinking about a few things to reduce your impact, you could look at:
- Train travel over short-haul flights
- Direct flights to reduce fuel consumption
- Staying longer in fewer destinations
- Following designated walking routes to protect sensitive ecosystems
- Choosing tour operators with environmental credentials (see the GST Council and the EU's Ecolabel for just a couple of umbrella certifications).
By supporting conservation efforts during your travels - whether through direct volunteer work or choosing companies that contribute to these causes - you’ll also help ensure that nature’s beauty remains for others to experience in the future.
Highlighting personal and collective responsibilities
Sustainable travel isn't about perfection or about personal objectives - it's about collective progress. We all know that our individual options and choices make a difference, but there is even more hope if people come together to make climate change everyone’s business. We all have a shared responsibility for protecting the natural wonders we visit. From not throwing our litter away, to maintaining a respectful distance from marine life, or not picking wild-growing flowers, our actions as travellers have lasting impacts.
And for businesses, the fact that people and consumers want to buy into and support sustainable brands, should drive them to be more ecofriendly. According to recent reports by PwC, consumers are willing to pay a premium of 9.7% if an item is sustainable. If possible, get behind those travel companies, hotels, resorts and eco-lodges who are not only claiming to be sustainable but can prove their eco-credentials are genuine by restoring forests, donating to green causes, and empowering communities who fight climate change and nourish biodiversity.
Being aware of tensions in tourist hotspots
Recent anti-tourism protests in destinations like Mallorca, Barcelona, Venice and Hawaii have been a stark reminder of the problems caused by over-tourism. Across the world, local communities are speaking out, feeling the strain of mass tourism on their economies, homes and way of life. These demonstrations are a clear call for us all to rethink how we travel - and to make more thoughtful, positive choices.
But it’s not just the number of visitors that’s causing concern. These protests are also about deeper issues — from damage to the environment, to rising housing costs, to the loss of cultural identity. As travellers, we have a responsibility to understand the impact we have and to make choices that respect and support the places we visit.
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Over-tourism damages the environment by destroying critical wildlife habitats. A key example is the development of resorts on mangroves or turtle nesting beaches such as happened in Cape Verde.
Sheer amount of foot traffic brings with it litter issues – even incredible spots like Mount Everest haven’t escaped, becoming littered with rubbish and waste that also contaminates local water sources. |
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Over-tourism strains local resources, with travellers often expecting luxuries like air conditioning and endless water — even when it doesn't fit the surroundings and local systems aren't designed to support it.
There are countless reports highlighting the detrimental impact of over tourism on local habitats and its broader role in climate change.
By being mindful of our choices — what we use, where we go, and how we act — we can help protect these fragile ecosystems.
By being mindful of our choices — what we use, where we go, and how we act — we can help protect these fragile ecosystems.
Developing meaningful partnerships
Individual travellers and businesses have the opportunity to create more sustainable tourism models by working together. When businesses and charities team up, they can raise awareness of projects that not only fight climate change but also restore ecosystems, support rural communities, and provide education and sustainable livelihoods.
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If you’re looking for ways to give back, consider combining your travels with beach cleanups or conservation projects. Whether you have an hour or a month to spare, there are many organisations worldwide that would love for you to join in on marine conservation, wildlife protection or tree planting initiatives. |
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On a positive note, sustainable travel helps foster a deeper appreciation for our planet and the importance of tackling climate change. It encourages us all - individuals, businesses, and communities - to recognise the responsibility we have to respect, protect, and preserve the places we venture to in the world.
So, make sure you step lightly on your travels - see the world, enjoy it, but care for it too. And if you can take it one step further, support our mission at JUST ONE Tree. By planting trees, we're growing forests, restoring ecosystems and empowering communities - helping us all to tread more lightly and repair the damage we’ve already done to the planet we call home.
