How to Travel More Responsibly in 2023

According to the Sustainable Travel Report 2022 which surveyed over 30,000 travellers, a focus on sustainable travel is on the rise. In fact, consumer interest in sustainable travel is up by 10%, with climate change news and other environmental factors influencing their travel choices. So, what exactly is sustainable travel, and how can you travel more responsibly in 2023? Let’s find out more!

What is sustainable travel?

When you take a sustainable view of your travel plans, often the expensive 5-star resorts take a back seat in favour of more environmentally-friendly accommodation. But that by no means suggests you have to sacrifice comfort in the pursuit of more responsible travel. There are plenty of accommodation options available that are more sustainable than your standard high-rise resort.

Sustainable travel simply means you make more informed choices about the accommodation you book and the activities you enjoy while travelling. Everybody wants to enhance their travel plans and create amazing memories, but you can do it with a smaller footprint than you may have done in the past. The difficulty has always been finding these experiences that combine luxury, boutique accommodation and an opportunity to immerse yourself in local culture.

That’s why travel storytelling and curating services such as Postcard are so beneficial.

Is sustainable travel the same as mindful travel?

Mindful travel is all about deeply immersing yourself in local experiences. Rather than treating a new place as your playground, you open your mind to new possibilities and learn more about local customs, culture and history. It’s a form of travel that puts you right in the moment, ready to expand your horizons and experience something truly unique and potentially life-changing.

Typically, mindful travel and sustainable travel go hand-in-hand, with services like Postcard promoting boutique accommodation and experiences that are both rewarding for you, and also help to support local communities. Instead of taking a selfie in front of the Grand Canyon, you might visit and experience the natural beauty of Sierra Leone’s stunning mountains and rainforests.

In both sustainable and mindful travel, the idea is to leave a location exactly as you found it, and leave inspired and enriched by more meaningful travel experiences.

Tips for travelling more responsibly in 2023

Now the world is creeping back to some level of normalcy, many people are no doubt longing for an opportunity to get away and experience something new. Here are some ideas to keep your travel adventures more sustainable.

Plan to limit your carbon-heavy travel

There really isn’t any way around it. If you want to fly somewhere or travel any kind of long distance, you’re going to use transport services that aren’t exactly carbon-friendly. But with some careful planning, you can limit the impact of your travel.

Direct flights are one option, rather than taking cheaper flights with more connections. If you’re visiting multiple cities or countries, plan your route in such a way that reduces your air travel. You may have options to travel by bus or train, and while still not carbon-friendly, they are better than options than flying.

Then, whenever you’re at a destination, use your own energy to get around. You might be able to hire bikes or even just walk to explore your surroundings.

Leave no trace of your visit

One of the key components of sustainable travel is to leave no sign that you’ve ever been to a location. Of course, you’ll always have the memories and photos to take with you. But everything else should go with you, too.

We’re talking specifically about litter. Whether you’re in a city or trekking across a sweeping plain, make sure you take all your rubbish with you. Ditching those single-use plastic water bottles in favour of something more permanent is one thing to consider,  but otherwise, you should carry a small rubbish bag with you at all times. This way you’ll keep the environment clean and beautiful for the next person to enjoy.

Be a guest of the land

For many people, travelling is a chance to let their hair down and have fun. But there are certainly different ways of doing that, and some are more respectful than others. When you travel sustainably and mindfully, you should really consider yourself a guest of the land. Visiting a location with this mindset allows you to appreciate more deeply the surrounding areas, the people, the culture and everything else a location has to offer.

Remember that the land isn’t there to serve you, but rather you are simply a visitor passing through. When you approach travel with a respectful mindset and a willingness to learn, you’ll discover that travel is about so much more than partying and relaxing by a pool.

Research sustainable experiences

Finally, before travelling you should research, research, research. This isn’t just about finding eco-friendly accommodation either. If you’re heading to a destination, learn about the challenges facing the local environment. There may even be ways for you to join in some community efforts to help the environment.