Sustainable holidays aren’t about taking away something you love, or forcing you into something you don’t like. They’re not about plastic straws either.
We believe sustainable holidays are better holidays. For you. And our planet.
Where Do You Want to Explore?
Many people are travelling in a sustainable way, without even realising it. By being conscious of sustainability, you can easily enjoy holidays that are positive for the planet.
1. Explore Less-Visited & More Exclusive Destinations
Over tourism is the biggest problem in travel. Crowding too many people into a single space creates so many unnecessary challenges. It’s not interesting for visitors. It’s terrible for locals living in the destination.
Holidays in lesser-visited destinations are more unique. They are more exclusive. And more sustainable.
You don’t share your experience with others and the locals are happy you are there.
For example, if you like Mykonos and Santorini, consider these six Greek islands you probably haven’t heard about.
We live on a very big planet. It’s more sustainable to spread our collective footprint rather than concentrate it in a few places.
2. Visit Destinations Outside Their Peak Season
Most destinations have a well advertised “best time to go.” This is usually the “peak season”, with the most tourists, highest prices, and limited availability at the best properties.
Travelling outside peak season is more sustainable because it counters over-tourism. You enjoy much better value for your money too.
For example, Italy is packed in summer. The Maldives are extremely popular in winter. But why not go to the Maldives in August? And explore Italy in spring or autumn?
You will have a more exclusive and authentic experience for a better price.
3. Seek Authenticity
Often our favourite holiday memories are shaped by authenticity. An unknown place you discovered with a guide. A restaurant where you were the only tourist. Connecting with local people and learning how they live, cook, create and think.
Authenticity is another word for local. And local is the number one way to travel sustainably.
Interacting with local people means your money filters into local communities. Seeking authenticity means you directly support local people, like artisans.
You help to keep traditions and culture alive. And you gain a more genuine and interesting holiday experience.
4. Support the Natural Environment
Holidays create carbon emissions and a multitude of positive long-term benefits. Your holiday can actually have a very positive impact on the environment.
African safaris are a great example. You pay a conservation fee to access the animals’ world. This means the land can pay its way, rather than being replaced by crops or settlements. You’re protecting the natural habitat just by going on safari.
We love the ethos of Botswana and Rwanda, who want fewer visitors paying higher fees. It’s better for conservation and a more exclusive safari.
There are simple things you can do for a beach holiday too, like using reef safe sunscreen. Many (especially cheaper) sunscreens use chemical filters to absorb UV rays, turning them into heat that’s released from your skin. These chemicals are released into the water and damage marine life.
Look for sunscreens with the natural active ingredients of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients form a physical block that shields your skin from absorbing rays.
Reef-safe sunscreen is better for your skin and protects the natural marine environment.
5. Stay Longer in One Destination
Every holiday has a carbon footprint. Most of the emissions are created travelling to and from your destination.
So whether you spend three days or two weeks at your destination, the footprint of your travel is the same. Staying longer doesn’t mean lower emissions, but you enjoy a longer experience for the same emissions.
Staying longer in one destination gives you time to explore less-visited areas, enjoy more authentic experiences and connect with locals: all ways for a more sustainable holiday.
Every destination has a few unmissable sights. Stay longer and you gain a deeper, more unique insight into a destination.
Making Your Holiday More Sustainable
As a member of the Pristine Mood program, we can offer preferential access to the most sustainable luxury hotels, experiences and destinations.
With EliteVoyage you can experience the biggest developments in sustainable travel, long before they become trends.
A holiday doesn’t need a sustainable label to be sustainable. Our mindset is to always be conscious of sustainability and make small changes when we can.
We don’t want to create the world’s most sustainable holiday. We want to help make your next holiday more sustainable than your last.
