Traveling has become a staple in modern hustle life. Many people look forward to traveling to escape their mundane daily lives and to take a break from the daily grind. The busier they get, the more eager they are to go on vacation.

Moreover, the need for travel has been increasing as the COVID-19 pandemic has come to an end. According to the UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer’s annual data for 2024, 1.4 billion people traveled internationally last year, representing 99 percent of the number recorded in 2019, the previous year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.

Despite the positive impact this trend has on local economies, tourism also presents challenges to local communities and the environment.

Sustainability has become crucial as popular destinations struggle to balance economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation.

Take, for example, how over-tourism has caused a wave of gentrification in Bali, creating a domino effect on the island’s environment. As hotels and resorts expand rapidly, Bali is losing farmland and witnessing a decline in its ecosystems.

Alongside these issues, plastic waste has become a major concern. The surge of tourists brings a rise in single-use plastics—from bottled drinks to takeaway packaging—that often end up littering beaches, clogging rivers, and harming marine life.

To help minimize the negative effects on the local environment and communities, consider the following simple steps to promote responsible travel.

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7 Ways to Make Your Travel More Sustainable

Get to know the local culture and traditions

While we, as tourists, contribute to the local economy, it’s not necessarily that we have the right to harm the local communities.

Getting to know the culture and traditions of your destination before leaving is a thoughtful way to prevent us from engaging in unintended, offensive behavior.

Learning about local customs also helps you connect with people we meet, making it easier to respect their values and social norms.

Ultimately, not only does it enrich your travel experience, but it also enables us to preserve the cultural integrity of the places you visit.

Buy from locals to help small enterprises thrive

green-travel-habits

Eating out at famous chain restaurants can be a quick and convenient solution, as we often have no idea where to go for lunch or dinner when traveling.

However, eating at small neighborhood restaurants or buying crafts from local artisans is a foolproof way to help community’s small businesses thrive. It allows you to enjoy authentic experiences while giving back to the community.

When you choose local products, you’re not just shopping, you’re supporting people’s dreams and helping to preserve the character of the place you’re visiting.

Save energy whenever you can

It’s easy to think that making full use of the hotel facilities harmless. We often don’t think twice about leaving the TV on, turning the AC too low, or letting the shower run, because after all, we’ve already paid for them.

Still, using energy wisely is part of being a responsible traveler. Try simple habits like switching off the lights when you go out, keeping the AC at a comfortable level, and taking shorter showers.

They may seem like small things, but when more travelers start doing them, the impact adds up.

Adopt slow travel

When visiting a new destination, we often want to see all the famous spots at once. It leads us to rush on your trip to make the most of your time.

As a result, instead of relaxing and enjoying the experience, we stay in a state of constant hustle, as if we were still at work.

Additionally, a packed itinerary also makes us less likely to use public transportation, which increases your carbon footprint.

To make your journey more eco-conscious, consider adopting slow travel by taking trains or buses, and enjoy a precious experience of seeing local life in action and taking in the beautiful scenery along the way.

Treat nature and wildlife with care

A video about tourists damaging the sakura bloom in Japan was outrageous, as it showed that many tourists still lack awareness of the importance of taking care of the nature they visit.

Respecting nature and animals is just as essential as respecting people, because they are all living things.

We are responsible for maintaining the ecosystem and environment as they are.

The best we can do is act responsibly by following the rules and avoiding harm to nature and the animals that inhabit it.

Clean as you go

Many travelers often overlook the importance of tidying up while enjoying their trip. It may seem trivial, but cleaning as you go helps keep the places you visit just as beautiful as they are.

This practice also applies to food waste. Being mindful of how much you finish your meal not only prevents leftovers from going to waste but also reduces the burden on local waste management systems.

Dispose of your trash properly, pick up any litter you find, and avoid taking natural elements—such as sand, stones, or flowers—as souvenirs.

Spread awareness by sharing your travel experiences

Getting back to your hometown or home country doesn’t mean that your role as a sustainable traveler ends.

You can spread awareness about responsible travel on social media, in blogs, or even through casual conversations with friends, highlighting the value of conscious travel.

Inspire others to follow your eco-friendly travel tips and contribute to more mindful travel.

Conclusion

Although there are still many other ways to support sustainability while traveling, I hope these seven suggestions above can inspire you to incorporate them into your travel practices.

It’s impossible to travel without leaving any trace, but small steps from each traveler can help drive a worldwide effort to protect nature’s beauty and diversity for generations to come.