1. Trains, Planes & Automobiles
The negative impacts of transport are well known and one way of being a green traveler is to stick close to home, however, if you decide to travel further afield, there are ways to reduce your environmental impact.
First consider how you are traveling. It is impossible to say exactly which form of transport is more environmentally friendly for a particular journey without considering all the variables such as vehicle maintenance, fuel consumption and infrastructure. However generally trains are more environmentally friendly than cars, and both of these are better than flying. If you do have to fly, Treehugger suggests that aside from offsetting carbon emissions, choosing direct flights, not flying business class and packing lighter will help reduce your environmental impact.
2. Employees Have to Travel Too
Another factor is how far employees have to travel to the hotels, shops are restaurants you visit during your holiday. The trips to and from work for employees quickly add up in terms of environmental impact and it is worth considering how employee travel is supported by the companies you use. Do the companies provide employees with discounted public transport (if available), are they committed to employing people in the local area or if you are in a remote destination – are employees offered housing so they can stay on-site?
3. Where Does Your Food Come From?
A lot of people want new experiences on holiday but still prefer to eat the same food they get at home. Many popular holiday destinations have to import most of what tourists consume which also contributes to waste disposal problems – particularly in small island destinations. When eating out choose food that is grown locally or at least within the same country rather than imported from overseas. Also check whether the hotels and restaurants you use support locally grown produce getting their supplies from local farmers where possible.