THE CONSCIOUS TRAVELLER

A new breed of traveller is on the horizon – the conscious traveller. As we become increasingly aware of how the choices we make can impact the world around us, travellers begin to take into account environmental issues, social aspects and politics, and how we travel is changing.

Eco-friendly travel is, of course, at the forefront of conversation this year, as we begin to explore how we can lessen our negative impact on the world.

One suggestion to reduce your carbon footprint is to opt for train travel over flights. Amsterdam, Bruges, Bordeaux, Lyon, Strasbourg and Cologne are just a few incredible destinations that can be reached by rail in under six hours from London. Why not miss out on the airport security queues and take the scenic route this year?

Cut back on frequent short breaks, and the accompanying short-haul flights, in favour of occasional longer trips, and when you’re away hire a bike instead of hailing a taxi. Small changes to our travel habits will make a big change in the long run.

It’s worth considering where you’re travelling to, as well, opting to visit countries which are already encouraging behaviours that benefit environmental health. With the 2020 Environmental Performance Index (which ranks 180 countries based on “environmental health and ecosystem vitality”) seeing everywhere from Switzerland to Japan, via the UK and New Zealand, appear in the top rankings, there’s no shortage of options.

Luckily the tourism industry is adapting swiftly, too, and it’s becoming increasingly easy to enjoy your stays without worrying about the impact they might have.

Eco-hotels are popping up around the world, from Norway to Canada. Hotels and villas are cutting down their carbon footprint by offering free bikes to guests, locally grown produce and some even boast hand-built villas made from recycled materials. We’re entering a new era of eco-conscious travel.   

Conscious travelling goes beyond the environment, too. When it comes to social issues, almost half of travellers in a recent survey said social issues have a definite influence on where they travel to, with over half opting out of a journey if they fear it will negatively affect the people who live there. The safety of explorers is also being highlighted, with platforms like Destination Pride working to provide travellers with information on how LGBT+ destinations are, and organisations stepping up their support for women travelling alone.  

It’s exciting to see the tourism industry adapting to our ever-changing consciousness, and with stays that are helping save the planet without compromising on luxury, as well as providing a uniquely local experience, conscious travel is the future.