Choosing a sustainable destination for vacation involves considering various factors beyond scenic beauty and tourist attractions. As a hospitality management consultant, I emphasize the importance of sustainability not just for the environment but also for the communities and cultures we visit. Here are some key considerations and steps to choose a sustainable destination: Research and Education: Start by researching destinations that prioritize sustainability initiatives. Look for certifications like Green Globe or Travelife, which indicate a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Educate yourself about the destination's cultural heritage, local customs, and sustainable tourism practices.

To choose a sustainable destination for your vacation, start by researching locations that prioritize environmental conservation and community well-being, such as eco-friendly hotels and attractions that support local ecosystems. Look for destinations with initiatives aimed at reducing carbon footprints, such as renewable energy usage, waste reduction programs, and wildlife protection efforts. Finally, consider engaging with local communities through cultural experiences and sustainable tourism practices, ensuring your travel choices contribute positively to the area you visit.

If a hotel or camping is not in a charging App, they have gone invisible to me. Any hotel or camping without an electric vehicle charger should act now, there are a lot of governments out there helping with subsidies. Chose hardware that can be monitored, has the possibility of an external customer support, software that allows you to scale once your occupancy increases and a provider who puts your accomodation in as many charging Apps as possible. Chargers are the next WiFi, no longer a nice to have if you are seriously thinking about attracting EV drivers with Sustainability on top of their priorities.

Another example is to check Green Tourism’s recommendations as well as who are yearly winners or entries/nominations for ITB’s Green Tourism Destinations of the year and that will narrow down your list of potential places or even create a shortlist for you.

I would encourage anyone interested in visiting Scotland to check out www.SCOTO.co.uk (Scottish Community Tourism) which highlights a number of ways in which visitors can engage in and give back to the destinations that they visit, by becoming temporary locals for the time they are there.

Select accommodations that prioritize sustainability, such as eco-lodges, green hotels, or community-owned guesthouses. Look for certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or eco-labels that indicate a commitment to sustainable practices. Consider destinations that actively protect and preserve their natural environment. Look for initiatives like wildlife conservation, renewable energy use, waste management programs, and eco-friendly practices in accommodations and attractions.

There are a lot of resources that grade and rate eco-accoms, especially The Green Travel Guide, for example. But also major platforms like Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com are highlighting properties that are committed to going green and have eco-practices built into their offering. They show ratings between 1-3 which you can dig into more to see what exactly that means and how the property is living up to these green expectations.

Craving an eco-friendly stay? Skip the search with specialist sites like Bookdifferent, offering only sustainable accommodations. For broader options, filter by "Travel Sustainable" on Booking.com or "Sustainable Hotels" on Agoda (Asia-focused). Want verified green practices? Look for LEED or Green Key certifications. Property descriptions often mention eco-efforts like water conservation or local food. Still unsure? Ask the property directly about their green initiatives!

Choose destinations that encourage meaningful interactions with local communities. Look for opportunities to participate in community-based tourism activities, support local artisans and businesses, and learn about indigenous cultures and traditions. impact of travel to your chosen destination. Opt for eco-friendly transportation options like public transit, cycling, or walking when exploring the destination. Offset your carbon footprint by supporting carbon offset programs or choosing airlines with sustainable practices.

Choosing a pedestrian friendly destination is also a great way to implement low-carbon transportation. A very good example of this would be Greenville, South Carolina: an excellent pedestrian friendly city within a quick flight or drives reach. Once your there you don’t even have to worry about car rentals or catching an Uber as you can walk to get anywhere. Also, make sure to check flights carbon offsets - on Google Flight these days they show the offset difference between flights.

Another option is to explore in your own backyard - making the transport time from point A to B that much more efficient. Sometimes we forget how much there is to see and do right in our home area or nearby. This is something we are seeing all around the world - that people are dedicating their lives to what's right in front of them, vs. traveling far and wide.

Researching a destination thoroughly definitely helps you enjoy a destination more. Always support small & local businesses. Immerse yourself in the culture and language and you’ll have a deeper understanding of the place. Reading the good and bad news of a destination also helps you understand what you should be aware of and what you should support.

Our top priority is ensuring thorough research before visiting a new location, including its history, current issues from overtourism to socio-political and environmental factors, and the future impact of increased tourism. If research suggests our visit could positively contribute through tourism dollars, that's ideal. However, recognizing when our presence may not be beneficial is crucial. During our 2-year expedition, we've rerouted our travels upon realizing our contributions wouldn't help the destination or its inhabitants, emphasizing responsible and informed travel decisions.

As already mentioned, be sure to know some basic sentences and research beforehand. What also works is asking the company you booked with (if you booked with any) if they have a code of conduct since they are the destination experts. Otherwise, even if not booked with a company, the websites of local companies usually have a helpful Q&A that can help to be part of your research.

Culture : - Research customs, dress codes (learn what's respectful!), greetings. Show you care! - Support local shops, tours, food (keeps $ in the community). - Ask permission for photos (especially religious sites). Respect privacy. - Embrace local arts (music, dance, crafts) - it keeps traditions alive! Learn a few phrases - "thank you" goes a long way. Nature : - Pack reusables (water bottle, bag, utensils) - ditch single-use plastics! Stay on trails - protect fragile ecosystems and wildlife. - Conserve water (shorter showers, reuse towels). Every drop counts! - Observe wildlife from afar. Don't feed, disturb, or remove anything. - Leave no trace (pack out all trash) - keep the destination beautiful!

Ensuring tourism dollars benefit the right people is crucial. Seek operators contributing directly to local communities and use local currencies. Verify that tours and programs genuinely give back rather than exploit, by examining their impact through numbers and stats. When engaging with for-profit businesses, prioritize local ones that support the livelihoods of residents in the places you visit. This approach guarantees your travel supports those who truly call these destinations you are visiting home.

I've found that beyond personal efforts like using my own water bottle, learning from local recycling initiatives while traveling has been eye-opening. One example is Norway's color-coded recycling system, known as the green, blue, and white system. Norwegians are taught at a very early age the importance of recycling. Another example is a community center I visited in Mexico City, Huerto Roma Verde. This non-profit organization works for the welfare of the local community. One of the core initiatives is recycling and composting, waste is not only separated but also creatively reused in the construction of public spaces. Being open to learn from others has been enriching when I have the opportunity to travel to other countries.

Be sure to shop and eat 'local'. In case of eating out and when afraid of food poisoning, Google Maps usually has reviews. Be so kind as to leave them one after your experience, too. Ditch the big familiar names and brands and opt for a smaller restaurant, ensuring a local experience and money well spent and received; the same applies to shops.

An excellent example of this would be WWOOF, an organization that connects you to live and learn on organic farms or small-holdings with people who want to share their knowledge and way of life.

Embrace responsible tourism practices during your stay, such as conserving water and energy, minimizing waste, respecting local cultures and customs, and supporting sustainable tourism operators and tour guides.

By choosing a sustainable destination for your vacation, you not only contribute positively to environmental conservation but also support local communities and cultures. Empowering communities through sustainable tourism ensures that tourism becomes a force for good, creating lasting benefits for destinations, residents, and visitors alike.

Enjoy a Walking Tour with a professional Tour Guide! It's the best way to discover a new city, especially if it's not too big (Belfast fits in perfectly!) , to be green in your destination, and to stops for breaks in small places!