Conscious Travel Tips
Conscious travel encompasses a more mindful approach to travelling the globe, taking it one footprint at a time. It is ultimately a movement to change our values and perception of the world in which we live.
Conscious travel takes on a more local approach. It focuses on seeking meaningful, immersive experiences and making authentic connections with locals to understand the destination better. Travelling consciously benefits your own personal experience and impacts and enriches the lives of everyone you encounter along the way.
The main objective is to create a sustainable travel economy that gives back to local communities in need, not greedy international corporations. The tourism industry generates a whopping 7 trillion dollars annually, and the matter of fact is that not all communities see the benefits of this profit.
Mass tourism can damage local communities and affect their minimum wage, housing, and healthcare.
Conscious travel can promote and implement positive change. It can urge multi-million dollar companies to consider the negative impacts of mass, mindless tourism. Mass tourism is the culprit behind exploiting human rights and impoverishing communities.
When it comes down to the basics, both on an individual and collective level, it is what we do, what we purchase, how we interact with locals, and taking those very responsibilities into our own hands. We need to hold ourselves fully accountable for our actions.
Travelling consciously also considers the environment, and how our actions in turn effect our ecosystem.
Here’s what we cover in this guide:
11 Tips for Conscious Travel
Top 10 Sustainable Travel Destinations Around the World
Top Tips for Conscious Travel
There’s a handful of mindful modifications that can really make an impact when we travel. By implementing the following tips, you will make your experience more personable and enjoyable and enrich the lives of those who reside in local communities.
Bring a filtered or reusable bottle.
Instead of purchasing plastic water bottles on your travels, one of the most significant changes you can implement is simply bringing a refillable or filtered water bottle. This way, you’ll not only save yourself some cash, but you’ll not be contributing to the ever-growing plastic pollution problem.
Do your research.
Before booking your accommodation, do your best to find out the company’s efforts towards sustainable tourism.
When it comes down to the nitty gritty, the research process involves sourcing out answers to the following questions:
Where do they source their food products from?
Do they separate their waste?
Do they have solar panels installed?
Consider staying in a locally-owned accommodation, such as a guest house or AirBnb.
Don’t forget to turn off the lights and water when you’re not using them, and unplug all of the electronics you’re not using.
Prepare and pack products to minimalise your single-use waste.
Bring a reusable straw, zip lock bags, a keep-cup (reusable coffee cup), a cutlery set, and even a tote bag that could come in handy when buying groceries. Check out these helpful tips for a few ways to Reduce Your Waste.
Talk about Conscious Travel.
Spreading the word encourages others to implement change on a personal level.
People start to ask the big questions. They realize that it starts with themselves, and the minor changes in their decision-making and habitual responses.
Talking to others can help motivate them to go out and gain a deeper understanding of the people and land they want to explore.
Buy local.
Prioritise purchasing artisan or homemade products from local businesses rather than major shopping outlets. Avoid buying products made from hardwoods, food items with palm oil, or even things that can harm endangered species.
Better yet, instead of heading into that picture-perfect boutique you spotted in your new destination, check out the second-hand store. Purchasing previously-owned goods has many perks, not just for your battling bank account, but more importantly, for the environment. As a society, we need to open our minds and think more globally.
Did you know that only 15% of textile waste gets recycled? The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluting industries in the world, and as consumers, we must take action locally. Spur yourself into a recycling revolution and check out my post on Why You Should Shop Second-Hand.
Get active.
That’s right. Get your body moving!
Instead of splurging on a taxi, opt to walk the streets of your destination, or, aim to at least use the public transport system.
You could also consider bike riding, or even a Segway tour.
By opting for public transport, there’s a significantly less amount of of CO2 emissions getting spit out into the environment.
Recycle when it’s feasible.
Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you should stop recycling. Opt for a hotel with a respectable recycling system to keep waste minimal.
Educate yourself.
Read books, check out blog posts, listen to podcasts, and watch videos on local life and culture.
Knowing and respecting local culture makes all of the difference.
Research local routes, alternative forms of getting around, and ways you can see the more authentic side your destination.
Ditch the tourist bus and figure out your own route!
Get off the beaten path and embark on a road trip! You won’t be fixed to tedious tour-group timetables and impeding itineraries that don’t allow you to venture off-track. And there’s a plethora of possibilities and things that you’ll only encounter on the verge of a road trip. New scents, sights, and sounds leave you with a sweeping sensory experience, to say the very least.
There are many roads less travelled, jungles yet to explore, and people you will only meet by steering clear of those mainstream tourist experiences. Check out all the Benefits of a Road Trip in this post here.
Eat like a local.
Indulging in local food, whether from a street vendor or a locally owned restaurant, will always give you a natural, authentic taste of a country’s cuisine.
My best advice is always to check out the street food scene, especially if you’re in a South East Asian city like Bangkok! Fresh fruits, rice dishes… there’s almost always something on offer to satisfy everybody.
Consider a local guide.
Participate in an authentic experience as you converse and learn from your guide.
You can hear first hand about the history of their land, their cultural practices and traditions, and the reality of the life they’re living.
You might even get the opportunity to learn about hidden gems or hot spots that you wouldn’t otherwise know about!
Locals always have the best advice, hands down.
You get the chance to make a real connection, and one that it’ll be imprinted in your memory for many years to come.
Offset your flights.
As we all know, aeroplanes emit staggering toxins into our environment. The most effective thing you can do is to look into a carbon offset program. You contribute money to these programs, which are put towards environmental initiatives. Carbon offset programs are generally based on the number of kilometres (or miles) you will be flying.
Top Sustainable Travel Destinations
Costa Rica
Slovenia
Galapagos Islands
Borneo
Bhutan
Peru
Patagonia
Botswana
New Zealand
Vietnam
Conscious travel involves taking on a more mindful approach to travelling. It’s essentially a more local approach focusing on meaningful, immersive experiences and authentic local connections. Travelling consciously not only benefits your personal experience, but it can also enrich the lives of everyone you encounter along the way.
When travel comes into play, our fitness routines tend to get chucked out the window. And who could you blame when the labyrinth-like alleyways, soaring mountain tops, and that cocktail on the beach feel like they’re quite literally calling out your name… But alas, staying in shape while travelling can be reframed from energy-draining, to effortless with these simple exercises. Fellow female travellers, behold: the 5 Best Workouts for Girls on the Go.