How fun are family adventures? Nothing quite beats a summer vacation, beach road trip, or escape to the countryside with the crew. But have you ever thought about how your family travel habits could be affecting the environment and the communities you visit? If you’re looking for tips to travel sustainably as a family, this post is for you!
Whether you’re heading overseas (lucky you), interstate, or an hour away, implementing these sustainable travel tips will help you build the next generation of responsible travelers.
Here are 7 ways to travel sustainably as a family!
What is sustainable travel?
Sustainable travel means being mindful of minimizing your impact on the local community, the environment, and wildlife as you travel. It’s about being considerate of the world and its people while you explore new places. This often means doing your best to make eco-friendly choices to reduce your carbon footprint and respecting local cultures and landmarks. You might actually have some sustainable travel habits already without realizing it!
Why is traveling sustainably as a family important?
Building sustainable and eco-friendly travel habits as a family has many positives, like:
- Benefits local communities by supporting local guides, shops, and companies over chain stores.
- Reduces waste and environmental footprint
- Gives you and your family a greater understanding of your destination and its culture
- You’ll appreciate your trip more
The sustainable travel tips below may seem small, but they add up and can make a big difference!
7 tips for traveling sustainably as a family
1. Chat with kids about the environmental impacts of traveling
Before heading off, talk to your kids about the benefits of sustainable travel. You could even encourage them to spot ways to be more eco-friendly during your trip. Explain the importance of respecting landmarks and monuments you visit, and how things like littering are harmful to the environment.
2. Pack reusable travel products
One of the easiest ways to travel sustainably as a family is to reduce your waste by packing reusable items. Some of the most useful eco-friendly travel products include stainless steel water bottles or thermos, reusable cutlery, reusable bags, e-readers like a Kindle, and reusable food wraps. Instead of buying shampoo and other toiletries on the road, you can fill empty bottles and containers from home with your own products like shampoo, conditioner, or skincare products.
3. Support local businesses
Choosing local traders, guides, and attractions over chain stores and hotels means more money goes into the local community. Shopping at local farmers’ markets is a great way to do this – you’ll have access to fresh and exotic produce and, by bringing some reusable bags, you’ll save plastic while you’re at it.Try to use local tour guides instead of major companies – you’ll find cooler spots and hear some amazing stories!
4. Hop on a bike
Traveling by bike is a fantastic option if your family is trying to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling. Depending on your destination, bikes might actually be the easiest way to get around! Cycling is also a great way to get the kids outdoors and explore nature. Bike and walking tours are also a fun and interactive way to get some exercise during your trip.
5. Choose ethical attractions
Choose not to engage in unethical activities that are harmful to animals and wildlife. This includes riding elephants, petting tigers, or going to marine park shows. Animals are best seen in their natural habitat, so choose activities like a whale-watching tour or mountain hike instead. The kids will get a bigger kick out of the real deal and learn a thing or two along the way!
6. Embrace Slow Travel
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of exploring a new city or town. Especially if you only have the school holidays or a long weekend to explore. When you slow down and take the time to soak up your experiences and surroundings, you’ll truly appreciate and be grateful for your visit while making the most of the quality time with your family. You might even notice things, people, or places you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
7. Aim to ‘leave no trace’
Encourage the family to leave each place as they found it by taking your rubbish with you and sticking to well-trodden paths to not disturb local flora and fauna.
Traveling sustainably as a family in a nutshell…
When we make the conscious effort to travel sustainably as a family, it encourages a deeper understanding of people and places. Interacting with locals, actively seeking out independently-run stores, or choosing an activity “off the beaten track” will give your whole family a more authentic experience wherever you go.
Not only that, but these eco-friendly travel habits can apply to your everyday life at home!
Blog contributed by Emily Erickson is a vegan, sustainability, and travel blogger based in Australia. She is passionate about showing others how easy (and necessary!) it is to make kinder choices; from what we put on our plate, to the clothes we wear and the companies we support. Emily shares tips for going vegan, zero-waste living, and conscious travel on her blog.
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