Sustainable Tourism
Managing your carbon footprint As with most of our day-to-day activities, it’s no secret that going on holiday creates carbon emissions. At Travel Counsellors, we’re committed to reducing our own carbon footprint, and we can help you to do the same by advising you on more responsible travel decisions to reduce the size of your footprint, and help to manage the emissions that do occur. Further to this I'm going to start offering a programme where we plant trees to offset some of the carbon involved in the holidays booked through me, just another perk of booking with an independent travel agency. More details to follow soon!
Choosing your destination When choosing your next holiday destination, there are a few things to consider when it comes to sustainability beyond the obvious air miles. Cities and countries around the world have taken on the issue in their own unique ways, with measures such as designating conservation areas, investing in low-carbon energy, and improving public transport. Depending on the type of holiday you’re looking for, I can recommend destinations that are well-suited to your trip and that also take the issue of sustainability seriously.
These are some of the places currently leading the way...
Azores, Portugal - The first archipelago to achieve EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations certification.
Vancouver, Canada - Ambitious energy and waste reduction targets combined with a focus on farm-to-table dining.
Copenhagen, Denmark - Europe’s Green Capital, with the aim of being the first country in the world to be fully independent of fossil fuels.
Colorado, USA - ‘Care for Colorado’ principles which aim to maintain the area’s natural beauty and educate visitors.
Highlands and Islands, Scotland - Superb no-fly holidays amongst the highland wilds and picturesque beaches.
Where to stay To help you make more responsible choices when it comes to choosing your next hotel, we have the 'Green Leaf' logo. Any hotel or resort that is labelled with the Green Leaf has been certified by an organisation using criteria created by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. This means that it is working to maximise social and economic benefits in the local community, enhance cultural heritage, reduce negative impacts on the environment, and to be effectively planning for the future with sustainability in mind. As me about staying at these green leaf hotels next time you enquire!
What is slow travel? If you like to avoid the tourist traps and enjoy an authentic experience of your destination, then slow travel could be for you. It's also a great way of reducing your carbon footprint as often it involves rail travel or even using local bus routes rather than flying from destination to destination.
Supporting local communities The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that 10% of global jobs are reliant on travel and tourism, with countries such as Aruba being closer to 30%. As travellers, we have the opportunity to support the communities in the destinations that we visit, ensuring they benefit both socially and economically from our presence. By travelling more responsibly, we can help unique cultural customs remain intact and prevent the negative impacts of over tourism.
One of the ways that we can do this is by opting for alternatives to honeypot sites – did you know that I am part of a community of over 1,400 travel experts? With so many keen explorers, tips on hidden gems are easy to come by and can help spread the benefits of tourism while ensuring you avoid the crowds.
By shopping and eating at locally owned businesses you can get a truer taste of your destination (no pun intended) and enjoy a more authentic experience. On top of this, you’ll be supporting the local economy, helping to create jobs, and removing dependence on fundraising or aid.
Ethical wildlife viewing The vision is that all animals encountered on a Travel Counsellors holiday are free from exploitation, neglect and cruelty. I support an end to the capture of animals from the wild for the purposes of entertainment, and encourage the conservation of natural habitats and their wildlife. The best way to view wild animals is living freely, which is why Travel Counsellors created our comprehensive animal welfare policy which acts as a guideline to help me create the best wildlife viewing experiences for you to enjoy.
With this in mind, these are some of the best ways that your Travel Counsellor can help you view wildlife ethically on your next adventure…
A Tent With a View, Tanzania - Founded 30 years ago with all Tanzanian managers and a focus on innovation, integrity and people, this is one of our favourite partners for viewing African wildlife in a natural setting.
Elephant Hills, Thailand - This is an experience we often recommend to customers because we know how truly unforgettable it is – the stuff of which lifelong memories are made.
Intrepid Travel - One of our favourite partners for adventurous trips, this B-corp is now even better than ever – having reviewed and refreshed all of its wildlife trips for 2023.
Interested in finding out more about responsible travel? Get in touch today, I'd love to speak to you and here more about your thoughts on how you'd like to make your next holiday more sustainable.