Environmentally Friendly Travel Tips

This summer managed to break several records on the heat index, which only reinforces the need to take into account the environment when you’re traveling. After all, tourism accounts for about five percent of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions per the UN’s World Tourism Organization. On top of that, the number of travelers continues to grow. In just the first four months of the year, nearly 350 million people took an international trip, an increase of more than five percent compared to 2015.

Traveling “greener” doesn’t necessarily mean staying at an eco-lodge or visiting a rainforest, it’s more about taking into account where you’re off to and why. You can begin by choosing to rent an electric vehicle during your next trip or staying at a hotel that’s LEED certified, which means it’s designed for optimal sustainability.

The bulk of the travel and tourism industry's carbon footprint is made up of transportation. Choosing the most environmentally friendly method of getting around will depend on where you’re going, but you can take the time to evaluate your options. Would you be willing to take a train instead of a plane? Why not consider using public transportation to get to the airport?

There are simple things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint. If you’re okay with it, hang the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door a day or two so that the staff doesn’t clean your room every single day, using up excessive energy. Simple steps like turning off the lights or the television when you leave the hotel room may seem small, but they do play a role in becoming more environmentally conscious the next time you travel.

This update is provided by travel insurance provider Trawick International. Some of our travel insurance plans include international and domestic inbound and outbound travel insurance, missionary travel insurance, trip protection and cancellation, visitor insurance, and Schengen Visa. Call 877-233-4591 for more information.