Sustainability is trendy, and nothing and no one escapes it. We love to label every aspect of our lives: sustainable food, sustainable cosmetics, sustainable fashion, sustainable décor, and, of course, sustainable travel.
But when you think of that term, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? A luxury safari in Kenya with electric jeeps and tipis made from local, organic materials? An eco-cabin deep in a Swedish forest? A “non-intrusive” trek to see orangutans in the jungles of Sumatra?
I don’t know about you, but aside from lots of zeros in the bank, I think of a poorly executed concept of unnecessary exclusivity and guilt-free opulence—and I don’t like it.
Personally, I believe that traveling sustainably is more a matter of behavior and common sense than of financial power. After all, by definition, being sustainable means meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
Avoiding overtourism by visiting less crowded places (or areas), consuming local products and flavors, steering clear of Airbnb’s mini empires, staying in local hostels and guesthouses, supporting women-led businesses, trying not to generate unnecessary waste, choosing local transport over private, avoiding geotagging specific locations, traveling less but staying longer… A range of smart, sensible options that are anything but elitist and, best of all, affordable for anyone driven by that irresistible curiosity to explore the world.
Beyond these measurable, tangible actions, I’d also add that connection with the destination is essential. When we genuinely appreciate other communities and their people, when we truly feel the need to understand cultures different from our own, the last thing we want is for them to end up in deficit or decline due to poor—or absent—decision-making.
Research. Choose. Speak up.
Explore. Experience. Question. Reinvent yourself.
Unlearn to learn again.
