When it comes to travel, the conventional way to do it is often for people to escape their lives to vacation at an all inclusive. However, we believe that the intention behind authentic traveling should be to expand and fulfill your soul and expand your mindset. Equally important, the idea of revolutionizing traveling into an authentic form comes with the strong belief that traveling isn’t only about consuming, but building sustainable and healthy relationships with the places we travel and the people we interact with.
To travel authentically means that you immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions, while sustainable travel focuses on minimizing your environmental and (negative) social impact.
Exploring other countries can have a big impact, either for good or bad; but being mindful about how we do it is very important to make the difference between being only a tourist that consumes, or a real-life adventurer that cares about their impact on the Planet.
Here are so practical ways to start traveling sustainably and authentically:
Research Your Destination: Before you go, research your destination thoroughly. Learn about its history, culture, religions and customs to better appreciate and respect the local way of life. Being mindful around this not only allows us to have a better relationship with the locals, but helps us immerse ourselves in the moment and make the most out of a life-learning experience. Because traveling is the best way to learn and experience life, rather than only being a way to escape it.
Support Local Businesses: The best way to make sure we are supporting the local community we are visiting, is to invest in it by choosing to consume local. For example, eat at restaurants and stay at accommodations that are hosted by the residents of that place. Basically, you want to boost their economy so the money stays within instead of being detrimental to them by staying in resorts or big corporation owned businesses that probably won’t take care of the community.
Stay in Eco-Friendly Accommodations: Choose accommodations that prioritize sustainability, such as hotels with green certifications, eco-lodges, or even homestays with local families. All these types of places practice ways to ethically take care of the environment and reduce their impact on it as well. Plus, they are usually so beautiful and if you are nature lover, this is a way to get closer to it even while you are asleep.
Minimize Plastic Waste: Bring reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils to reduce single-use plastic consumption. Be conscious of your waste and dispose of it properly, following local recycling guidelines. We know traveling to other countries can be challenging at times to try to keep a zero-waste philosophy, but just try your best and maybe even try to organize beach cleans, or join programs already established in the communities.
Respect Wildlife and Nature: Avoid activities that exploit or harm animals, such as elephant rides or wildlife selfies. Choose responsible wildlife tours and adhere to Leave No Trace principles when hiking or camping. Do some research on the companies you choose and listen to the locals that are able to guide you with their knowledge to avoid disrupting wildlife and their landscapes.
Reduce Your Energy Consumption: Save energy by turning off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when you're not in your room. Conserve water, and opt for eco-friendly amenities when available. Remember that many of the countries you will visit pay a high price to be able to provide these amenities for your best comfort. Taking care of these little details, in the long-run, have a big impact.
Offset Your Carbon Emissions: Consider carbon offset programs to compensate for the emissions generated during your trip. Some airlines offer options for passengers to offset their flights. And choose to travel slowly. While traveling slowly, you will get the most out of a place to dive more into its roots, and help avoid too much carbon emissions on the planet.
Care For The People And Practice Cultural Sensitivity: Understand and respect cultural norms and etiquette. Dress modestly if required, ask for permission before taking photos of people, and follow any local customs or rituals. Learn to say the most basic phrases or words in their language and show you are not expecting them to know how to communicate with you, but you show care and interest in their culture. Engage in their customs and traditions, and Participate in cultural exchanges and support community-based tourism initiatives.
Share Your Experiences: Encourage others to travel authentically and sustainably by sharing your experiences on social media, blogs, or in person. Inspire them to make responsible choices when they travel. Remember that traveling is an enriching experience and opportunity to grow in ourselves but also to give back in return and appreciation for these places and cultures that welcome us and share with us their beautiful land!
We hope you find the best ways to travel like a real adventurer while taking care of your impact while you travel! Have a lot of fun, enjoy adapting to these practices and keep informed and open to new ways of traveling responsibly.
Cheers to your future travel plans! Adventure Awaits!
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