Is your holiday sustainable?

Tickets booked, bags packed, the moment you have been waiting for has arrived, you’re about to set off on your travels but is the trip your about to embark upon sustainable?

Recent headlines coming out of popular backpacker destination Thailand have yet again highlighted the need for sustainable travel. Three islands off the coast of Phuket will see a major cutback in tourist activities with a fourth island being closed off to tourists completely.

With travellers becoming more aware of the effect they have on their environment, the world’s biggest industry has been taking steps to aid sustainable travel.

So here at Flight-Delayed, we thought we would give you something to think about before you book your next trip.

Here are 5 things to think about:

Getting around:

Unless you get really creative, there are not many options for getting to your destination other than train, plane or by car. When you get to where you’re going, though, it becomes a different kettle of fish. Research the local transport available and see how the locals get from A to B. Use public transport or look at the rental of hybrid vehicles. Whenever possible, set off by foot or on a bike, it’s best for the environment and it might just help get the best out of where you are.

Feed the local economy:

Put your cash in the pockets of the locals. Not literally of course but make sure the locals benefit from your trip. Look for locally owned business and spend money in the local comminutes. Tourism is a way of life for millions of people around the world, so using a tour operator that employs local people will quite literally put food on the tables of the community.

When in Rome:  

When in tourist mode, do as the locals do. Immerse yourself in your environment and learn as much as you can about where you are going before you get there. Having the knowledge and respect for a destination can have a real impact on your sustainability as a traveller; it will also help you integrate better.

The 3 R’s:

Be practical, reuse, recycle and reduce where possible. Find out how your tour operator and hotel disposes of waste and water. Be as efficient as you can when it comes to your use of water and the energy you consume.

Environmental policy and practices:

It might seem like the single most boring thing you could do in preparation for a holiday but check Government policy on the environment to see if your destination is taking action to make travel more sustainable. This will allow you to be sustainable as soon as you land and the more information you have the better your decision will be.