Traveling is by far one of the most favored activities and is an industry that generates billions each year. Whether you are a young backpacker hoping to find yourself or a family wanting to escape to the sun, traveling has something for everyone. However, in recent years the environmental strain that traveling has had on our planet has become clear, and traveling as we know it may be about to change.

It is important that modern travelers learn to adapt to the changing circumstances and use greener methods when trekking the globe. The aviation used to access different corners of the world contributes to 3.5% of climate change, and the tourism industry as a whole makes up 8% of greenhouse gasses. Many natural spaces are destroyed each year to create new tourist accommodation which puts a strain on local wildlife and threatens the landscapes that the traveling industry relies on.

However, there are ways that you can make your travel safer for the environment. With the impact of travel becoming more recognized, many keen globe trotters are adopting eco-friendly methods into their traveling lifestyles. This way, we can continue to explore the world without causing it too much harm. This article will guide you through the eco-friendly travel trends that you could adopt on your next adventure.

Staycations

Transport plays a massive role in the impact that travel has on the environment. If you want to travel without contributing to global warming, why not explore new places in your own country?

Staycations are becoming increasingly popular with tourists who want to cut down on carbon emissions. Jetting off to the Maldives or sightseeing in New York may be fun but, there are plenty of hidden gems to explore in the UK too. The UK is home to breathtaking countryside, relaxing beaches, historic market towns, and many more exciting places that are perfect for a summer escape. By traveling in your home country, you are able to take cleaner modes of transportation to your destination.

Coach travel in particular is a far greener method of transportation than aviation. Coach travel releases around 28g of CO2 per kilometer compared to the massive 254g that is released by planes. Coach holidays come in a variety of packages and can take you to a range of exciting locations across the UK. Many coach holidays offer return coach travel which means that you can put your feet up and relax knowing that you’re not having a dauntingly long drive home. With people becoming more environmentally conscious, staycations are definitely here to stay.

Cycling Tourism

With many tourists wanting to cut down on carbon emissions, people are seeking alternative ways to travel that don’t require fossil fuels. Cycling Tourism just might be the solution that we have been searching for. This new way to see the world puts tourists on traditional or electric bikes and sends them through beautiful cycling trails. Many countries across the world are starting to increase the number of cycling routes available to encourage more people to opt for this mode of transportation.

Cycling tourism may seem a little slower than traditional planes, boast or cars but, by cycling, tourists are able to fully immerse themselves in the beautiful landscapes around them and can enjoy noticing every detail of the new environment. Using a bicycle or mountain bike is a great way to take your time and make the most of the world around you.

The introduction of e-Bikes has made it even easier for anyone to take up cycling tourism. e-Bikes use an electric motor to assist pedaling, taking away the hard work and sweat that comes with traditional cycling. Whether you want to face the challenge of a traditional bike or feel like taking things easy with an electric bicycle, cycling tourism is a great thing to add to your eco-friendly travel bucket list.

Off-season Travel

Many counties will have a peak season in which thousands of tourists will flock to the hot spots and make the most of beautiful weather, stunning sights or fantastic events. Whilst these peak seasons obviously have their perks, the overcrowding that often occurs as a consequence can have detrimental effects on the land and the local wildlife.

Overcrowding places huge demands on travel hotspots for accommodation, food and entertainment services. Many of these demands come with a cost. Natural habitats are often cut down to make way for brand new accommodation and leisure facilities, excess waste is dumped in the local area, roads become congested and highly polluted, and local wildlife is disrupted with an influx of people.

Traveling off-season may help to reduce the impacts of overcrowding that the tourism industry can cause. Travel is available all year round, and sometimes going off-season can actually result in a better traveling experience. Off-season travel means less crowds, cheaper prices and even cleaner landscapes.

Sustainable Accommodation

Many large hotels and accommodation complexes are harmful to locals, wildlife and even culture. It is common to see huge tourist hotels looming over the cities of countries such as Spain, Mexico and Greece. Whilst these accommodation options are often the most practical for the tourists, they don’t always benefit the land. Tourist accommodation is usually built on natural habitats, the consumer industry brought by the accommodation can overpower local culture and large numbers of tourists in one space can lead to harmful amounts of waste and a high demand for food.

Sustainable accommodation is a living space that causes minimal damage to the local land and environment. Examples of sustainable accommodation are accommodation that employs local people, eco-lodges/eco-hotels, local homestays, historic and heritage hotels and farm stays. Each type of sustainable accommodation will have its own unique advantages over traditional tourist accommodation and is a great way to travel while experiencing the culture and helping the environment. Most countries will have options for sustainable accommodation that you can choose from that will cost you a little more than regular accommodation.