hot air balloons in cappadocia turkey - sustainable travel
hot air balloons in cappadocia turkey - sustainable travel

Sustainable Tourism: How To Travel Sustainably On A Budget

Travelling should be accessible for everyone.

*This is a guest post written by Amileh Begum, a Student Ambassador for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.*

Sustainable tourism, otherwise known by its variety of names – eco-friendly tourism, conscious travel, and responsible travel, is a way to travel the world whilst maximising economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

Across the world, as the cost of living rises, the effects of climate change intensify, and countries suffer with over tourism, it is more important than ever before to make sure our travel plans minimise adverse impacts on communities abroad. Sustainability should be at the forefront of the tourism industry but unfortunately, it’s not.

That’s where we come in as tourists. Doing our bit to minimise the negative effects of tourism and maximising the positive impact comes at no extra cost to us! That’s because sustainable travel is often naturally cheaper, and so it fits in perfectly if you’re also travelling on a budget.

So, here’s a roundup of some of the easiest ways you can implement sustainability into your budget travels, from using public transport to travelling during off-peak season.

1. Research your destination

Like with any holiday you book, you are going to be researching about the destination you are travelling to. Laws, what languages are spoken, specific dress codes, eating etiquette and tipping culture are just some of the ways in which you can educate yourself about the local laws and customs of the country you are travelling to.

A great place to start is the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice website, which will provide you with the latest information about country-specific laws and customs. And a great tip is to sign up to travel alerts so you are kept up to date with any changes!

While laws must be abided by, local customs are just customs – they are not legally binding. However, that should not deter you from trying your best to be as respectful as possible.

Learning a few key sentences in their language is much appreciated by locals, as is following the customs the natives do. Respect is key to sustainable travel – respect towards the country, its people, its culture, its nature and so on.

We’ve got the best city breaks to travel to that won’t cost you the earth.

2. Off-season travel

This may sound like a ‘face-palm’ moment as peak season is also expensive season, but a lot of travellers do indeed travel during peak season.

Think Japan during cherry blossom season, Spain in the summer months, and Switzerland during the skiing season.

A lot of these famous destinations are facing issues due to over tourism, especially after borders re-opened post-covid. And they are also not a whole lot of fun to travel to when you are fighting to get a good camera pic, or a reservation at a restaurant!

Opt instead to travel during off-season, or maybe even a ‘destination dupe’ which will be more affordable and less busy. This helps to spread out the flow of people and minimise the effects of over tourism.

3. Eco-friendly travel

It goes without saying that you should be as environmentally conscious travelling abroad as you are at home.

However, if you are travelling to destinations most at risk of climate change or countries already experiencing a lot of environmental and resource issues, be extra mindful of your green footprint.

You can do this easily (and for free!) by using less water at your accommodation, using biodegradable or reef-safe sunscreen, choosing the ‘eco’ housekeeping option, and cleaning up after yourself at the beach.

4. Packing sustainably

pack light - suitcase open with clothes, hat and electronics

When packing, consider the three key R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Pack lightly, reducing the weight of your luggage. Reduce the amount of single-use items you take with you – bring a reusable water bottle and use refillable bottles instead of buying travel-sized toiletries.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we need to buy a new wardrobe every time we go on holiday. If you really need to buy new pieces, consider purchasing second-hand, or even better yet, waiting to purchase items once you’re in your destination!

Whether that’s at second-hand markets or completely brand new, buying local helps out the local communities and stimulates their economy.

5. Support local communities

Eat local, buy local, and stay local!

Support the local communities in the destination you are travelling to all while getting the most authentic experience.

Eat at locally owned restaurants and markets to taste the best food out there and shop at local markets or small businesses for souvenirs, clothes, accessories and more.

If you can, try and find accommodation that is owned by locals such as homestays and bed and breakfasts.

Supporting the local economy is so important to offset the adverse effects tourism can have on local communities, especially if you are travelling to middle- and low-income countries.

You can find travel guides and blogs written by natives who will recommend the best local spots, or you can even sign up for a street food tour and cooking classes! Whatever you choose, supporting the local economies will definitely make your trip that much more unique and memorable.

6. Public transport

tram in Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan

Get around using public transport. In a lot of countries, their public transport system is reliable and so cheap to use!

Look out for any special concessions where you can get discounts on travel, whether that’s pre-booking tickets or by being a student.

Remember to take care on public transport, in crowded areas and city centres, including main stations— especially in and around major cities.

Be particularly careful with your belongings on trains and to and from airports, and when unloading your baggage on trains and coaches.

Consider looking into student bus and train passes, especially if you’re travelling around the UK.

7. Flying

And if you’re thinking of flying between destinations, why not consider taking the train instead? Interrailing in Europe is a fantastic way to travel across countries and to take in breath-taking views.

Similar public transport routes exist all over the world, whether that be train, coach, or bus. It may take longer than flying but the views are guaranteed to be spectacular and the memories unlike no other!

If flying is unavoidable, you can still fly and lower your carbon footprint by avoiding short-haul flights. And the great news is that budget airlines are actually a greener option to fly with – perfect for those of us who are on a budget!

So, there you have it. Seven ways you can start building sustainability into your travel plans.

A little goes a long way so don’t stress if you are not able to do all. Small changes here and there can become bigger changes over time.

What is most important is to be mindful of our impact, taking care to respect the places we visit and the people who have made a permanent home out of the places we visit only temporarily.

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