Earth Day (April 22nd) serves as a wonderful reminder to take better care of the world we live in. But instead of only taking the day to give back to Mother Nature by planting a couple of trees and remembering to recycle, why not find other ways to ‘go green’ on a daily basis?
One major way you can help preserve and restore the earth back to its natural splendor is through sustainable travel, which allows you to embrace your wanderlust and give back to nature and the communities you visit at the same time.
It also happens to be one of the trendiest ways to travel.
According to a recent report by the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), responsible tourism is rising in popularity among consumers, businesses, and even the destinations themselves.
Among those surveyed in countries around the world, including the U.S., Russia, Namibia, Botswana, and New Zealand, people are looking for unique travel opportunities that meet two rising needs: They must be social and environmentally sustainable and provide a meaningful experience—no matter the cost. Not surprisingly, there’s also been a rise in travelers seeking out philanthropic programs or volunteer trips, reflecting the new type of consumer who wants to support local communities and shrink his/her ecological footprint.
And with more and more consumers seeking these types of opportunities, businesses have been forced to embrace more sustainable operations, both internally and externally. This includes using less paper and natural resources, such as gas, as well as bringing travelers to local restaurants to support small businesses—all practices that have brought good fortune to the companies themselves as well.
As responsible travel becomes more mainstream, it grows more powerful as well. Governments seeking to expand their tourism industries must now promote environmental and social sustainability practices, making it easier for companies to go green any way they can. And that’s a great thing.
So what can you do to help?
Consider making your next trip a sustainable one. If you’re not sure what that entails, here’s some more information about sustainable travel as well as some tips to help you get started. We promise you won’t regret it!
Photo from Five Day Rental.
