“When we honor the world, we honor ourselves.”

– L. M. Wild
  1. Choose a sustainable destination

    Choosing to travel to a destination that “values their natural and cultural heritage” is one of the most essential things travelers can do, according to WWF’s vice president Jim Sano. A sustainable destination fosters environmental health and ecosystem vitality either through laws, regulations or through their constitution itself. In Europe, destinations such as Switzerland, France and Denmark are considered to be the world’s most sustainable nations according to the 2018 Environmental Performance Index. Namibia wrote the protection of the environment into its constitution. Bolivia enshrined natural world’s rights with equal status for Mother Earth. By doing so those nations empower communities and conserve the wildlife on their lands, all in their own way.

  2. Consider your mode of traveling

    Worsening air quality due to pollution is one of the major threats to public health. Therefore, it is time to reconsider how we fly. While we all want to maintain the luxury of traveling in a fast and convenient way by plane, it is possible to reduce one’s carbon footprint by selecting an eco-friendly airline and flying directly. For example: Airlines such as Qantas and KLM use biofuel aviation. While certain destinations require to travel by plain, continents such as Europe can easily and comfortably be explored by train (for example: try the Orient Express). Carbon neutral high seed trains are fast and three times more energy efficient as compared to regional trains.

  3. Book an environmentally friendly accommodation

    A sustainable accommodation doesn’t mean the property skimps on luxuries. If you find yourself in a city or on the countryside search for a place that has a minimal impact on the environment. This can be a place which adheres to a zero-plastic policy, use renewable energy from solar panels, a rainwater filtration system, accommodations that build back natural environments and use energy efficient lighting and air conditioning or heating systems. Just check an accommodations webpage on its environmental effort.

  4. Opt for sustainable activities

    We won’t tell you to stop being adventurous. It’s actually the opposite. We tell you to explore more of your chosen destination. According to the World Tourism Organization, only 5$ of each 100$ spend during a trip is benefiting the destination itself. Instead of supporting big-chain companies, sustainable local agencies offer activities that ensure the support of local communities, the protection of the environment and wildlife. Just to give you an example: A bike or a horse takes you to remote villages and hidden spots. It allows you see animals from close and experience the peacefulness of nature.

    Pro Tip – Go on a sustainable Safari

    Seeing animals in the zoo vs. seeing them in their natural habitat? Go and see them in their natural environment, where they are protected and taken care of without being captured from the wild. There are many responsible lodges and safari tour operator that have a positive impact on local cultures, communities and biodiversity. One of those lodges is the luxurious Rhino Sands Safari Camp in the Manyoni Game Reserve. It has been constructed with minimal disruption to its environment, runs a black rhino wildlife protection program, includes the local community and is fully supplied by renewable energy.

  5. Leave a place better than you found it

    Support places where they need you the most. This can be a donation, an aid package, a helping hand or just a smile or a motivation story that allows communities to regain strength. May it be wildfires in Sonoma, earthquakes in Mexico, droughts in Cape Town or earthquakes in Italy. Vulnerable communities need travelers more than ever. But also strong economies need you to make them a better place, to show them how to protect our planet and to inspire them how luxurious traveling can be sustainable.