Sustainable tourism is more than just a trend today — it's a necessity. From pollution caused by cars and human activity to global warming and the pressure on major tourist destinations, traveling without further harming the planet has become a priority for our well-being.

Planning a trip already involves a fair amount of logistics, but heading to a new destination as sustainably as possible requires twice the care. Choosing your mode of transportation and deciding how full your suitcase should be doesn’t have to be exhausting or confusing: read this article to discover our suggestions.

Trip Preparation

When packing — clothes, books, hygiene products — bring only the essentials. Do you really need more than one suitcase? Taking fewer things makes it less likely you’ll discard items you never actually needed. A lighter bag will also make it easier to get around, especially if you have to walk long distances.

Use the 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) to decide what to bring and what to leave: are there items that can serve more than one function? What can I reuse repeatedly? Are the items I’m bringing recyclable? In that sense, we recommend bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag.

To avoid disposable packaging like shampoo and toothpaste tubes, you can opt for solid shampoo bars (which can also work as conditioner and body wash) and tooth powder. When it comes to cosmetics, Liquid-Land is a travel essential — its numerous benefits are matched by a production process that respects nature’s cycles, as you can read here.

Choosing Transportation

When selecting a mode of transportation, one of your top criteria should be CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases. During holidays, your transport choices are responsible for at least 70% of the CO₂ emitted.

Comparing various transportation modes, air travel ends up being more polluting than going by car, train, or other fossil fuel–powered ground transport. The most sustainable alternatives are walking, cycling, or sailing — but the best option depends on the destination.

If you need to fly, emissions will depend on the flight duration and the airline’s operations. To choose the most sustainable option, you can use apps that compare flights based on below-average emissions. Another more sustainable option than long-haul flights is combining train journeys with occasional flights.

Upon Arrival

If sustainability is a factor in choosing your destination, aim for a city with good public transport and bike lanes, walkable areas, and a conscious energy transition plan.

When booking accommodation, choose an eco-certified hotel. If that’s not possible, take measures like reusing towels during your stay, unplugging devices not in use, and adjusting the room temperature by 2°C up or down in summer and winter, respectively.

Whether you’re traveling within your country or abroad, it can be tempting to eat at international chains. However, choose local cafés or restaurants instead, to support the region’s economic sustainability.

The same tip applies when it’s time to say goodbye: when buying postcards or souvenirs, choose local businesses. By following the advice in this article, you’ll return home feeling rested and fulfilled, knowing you did your part for yourself and the planet.

Sources: Yale University; National Geographic; Forbes