12 WAYS TO BECOME A SUSTAINABLE TRAVELER

Traveling for work and for passion made me understand how important it is to make wise decisions to protect the environment and animals. Tourism, apart from this small stop from Coronavirus, has increased exponentially and without a minimum of forethought what for all of us it is a source of relaxation, fun and pleasure, it can transform our mother Earth into a waste.

Traveling consciously must become a priority and today I want to give you 12 tips on how to become a sustainable traveler.

Use public transport

One of the first ways to become a sustainable traveler is to explore using transportation. If you don't have to, avoid taking the plane and using the car.
Thanks to public transport, you will be able to respect the environment and help the local economy, and getting to know the inhabitants and their habits is the most fun thing to do on vacation!
When I was in Sri Lanka I traveled around the island with trains and buses and it was one of the best experiences of my life. After that time I always traveled like this!

Choose sustainable housing

Today we can count on many structures that are attentive to the environmental impact and now I will explain to you on a practical level how they are committed to respecting mother nature: first of all they choose organic products (shampoo, conditioner and bubble bath, as regards the sheets they choose the untreated ones chemically and have a policy of not changing them every day, ditto for towels.
In this way they avoid the waste of water and light by polluting the environment less and not wasting fundamental resources for the planet.

Buy organic sun creams

Did you know that most sunscreens contain octinoxate and oxybenzone? They are two components that cause very serious damage to the coral reef.
In some areas they are banned due to the many problems they bring to nature and in 2021 in Hawaii, the distribution and use of all creams deemed poisonous for the environment will be banned. A good way to help the environment and to become sustainable travelers is to look for biodegradable creams online or at the pharmacy. Nemo will thank you

Don't waste water or energy inappropriately

When we are at home we are very careful not to consume excessive electricity and water, so we try to pay the same precautions even while we are trotting around the world.
In many countries, these two resources are more than ever a rare and precious commodity. Let's not abuse it just because someone else will pay the bill and because we are just passing through.

Respect animals

Becoming sustainable travelers also means avoiding visiting some centers where animals are imprisoned, exploited and abused.
Before going to any shrine, it is a good idea to do a thorough research on its reputation. We ask for advice from those who have been there before us.
Today, thanks to Instagram, TripAdvisor and the various blogs, you can find out a lot about these places and you can directly contact those who visited them to ask direct questions.
Ask yourself this question: “are they places that attempt to preserve and protect a species or where living beings are exploited to enrich" man "?

Save paper

Since we do nothing but tap our smartphones all day, why not use them to help the environment? Technology has changed some aspects of our life for the better and if you don't want to waste paper unnecessarily, avoid printing your flight tickets. or other means of transport.

Avoid anything that has to do with plastic

How much I hate plastic. Underdeveloped countries are unable to dispose of it and continue to produce it in large quantities, endangering not only human life but also the environment.
To avoid buying plastic bottles, buy a water bottle with a built-in filter. They are able to eliminate 99% of harmful bacteria, allowing you to take water from any sweet source.
Avoid plastic straws like the plague, ask only for glasses and glass bottles and if you find plastic residues around the beach, the sea or the street, pick them up and throw them in the appropriate containers.

Visit the city on foot or by bike

Visiting the city on foot or using a bike is one of the best ways to avoid polluting the environment and since you eat a little too much on vacation, it is also a way to stay fit, don't you think?

Respect the habits of others

If you find yourself in contexts where habits and currents of thought reign that you are not used to, do not disrespect the culture and customs of others. Some countries are a real challenge but this is a great attitude to support the peoples who are hosting you.

Feed the local economy

Buy typical local souvenirs. If you are in Bulgaria buy perfumes and products for face and body with roses, if you are in Morocco ceramics, in Turkey carpets and spices. In short, we understand each other right?
Each country produces a product that has made it famous all over the world and if you want to help the local economy this is the best way!
Avoid staying in large hotel chains and make an effort to book your holidays in smaller properties. I assure you that you will have much more heartfelt experiences.

Don't take environmental souvenirs home

Avoid taking home environmental souvenirs because without knowing it you will cause serious damage to the ecosystem. Do not take shells, corals and sea sand.

Buy clothes and travel accessories made from organic material

Organic materials to create bags, bracelets and dresses are very fashionable and you will feel constantly connected with mother nature! I'll be honest: it's not always a comfortable or easy choice, but knowing that I'm helping the environment makes me a super happy person and I'm proud of myself.

Do the separate collection even on vacation

This is one of the hardest things to do because some countries don't pay the slightest attention to it. In the hotel I have never seen different bins to promote separate collection so I turned to the reception to understand how to behave.
The best advice I can give you is to take extra bags with you in which to do the separate collection and to deliver them at the end of the holiday to those who take care of them, so as to dispose of everything properly.

Choose attractions and trips with zero impact

Super sore button baby. I know that certain attractions attract (excuse the pun) more than a magnet but I assure you that not all that glitters is gold. Over time there have been some excursions that have left me shocked by the indifference and the havoc that the earth is forced to suffer.
When I was in Thailand, I didn't imagine seeing so many people huddling on Maya Bay. In fact, it was subsequently closed because the environment was no longer there. I returned to my bungalow quite embittered and berated myself more than once for going there and contributing, albeit unintentionally.
Now, before throwing myself headlong on a tour or an outing, I try to find out if my behavior does not harm the surrounding environment.

Choose alternative destinations to avoid overtourism

Most people tend to book their trips to well-known cities such as London, Paris and many others. These countries face angry crowds every single day and often fail to reduce the environmental impact that mass tourism causes.
To avoid being complicit in overtourism, choose alternative and little-known destinations. Places such as Albania, Poland, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, etc., etc. have a lot to offer both in terms of culture, landscape, architecture and so on and so forth.

Becoming responsible travelers is not easy and you don't become one overnight. Changing your travel habits or our lifestyle takes time and dedication but the earth is our home and we would be really foolish to give a damn. The forecasts are increasingly frightening and alarming so we must act sooner.

Selly Gherardi - Traveling with me

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