Air transport, food waste, deterioration of the local ecosystem. Traveling all-inclusive is relaxing, but it’s not always very responsible. Here are five concrete actions to limit your ecological footprint on your next trip.
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Did you know that tourism is responsible for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and that these GHGs are expected to increase by 25% by 2030? No wonder the hour is looking for alternatives to limit the damage. The good news is that you can reduce the carbon footprint of your vacation with simple actions.
First of all, what exactly is sustainable tourism?
According to the World Tourism Organization, it can be defined as a form of “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, meeting the needs of visitors, professionals, the environment and host communities. It aims to strike a balance between the three pillars of sustainable development in the production and realization of tourist activities.”
1. Choose a certified institution
Tourism is undergoing a transformation and tools to make more responsible choices are beginning to appear. This is particularly the case for certifications. There are many of them and it can be overwhelming. At Air Transat, “we refer to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC),” explains Chrystal Healy, VP, Corporate Responsibility at Air Transat. This standard recognizes certifications in sustainable tourism. “This identifies hotels with recognized certification, and makes it easier for travelers to choose,” says Ms. Heal.
Each certification analyzes a series of criteria concerning the hotel. The Green Globe certification, for example, is based on 44 different criteria, which apply to ecology, management, social economy and cultural heritage. There are many other certifications such as EarthCheck, Green Key or Travel life. To facilitate online research, some sites now offer dedicated sections. Consider consulting them.
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2. Choose direct flights
Transport accounts for 49% of greenhouse gas emissions from the tourism industry worldwide. To optimize your trips, opt for direct, non-stop flights. This reduces GHG emissions and saves you time. These flights may be more expensive, but that is also part of the price of being a responsible tourist.
For Alain Adrien Grenier, professor of tourism in the Department of Urban and Tourism Studies at UQAM, “transportation is one of the big pieces. That’s where most of the pollution happens.”
“There are ways to minimize your footprint by traveling on new planes, which consume less fuel than older planes. But there it is difficult for a consumer to ask the tour operator in which year the plane was designed, ”adds Mr. Grenier.
3. Reduce your energy consumption
Tourism is often linked to the climate at the destination. We go to the mountains to ski and enjoy the snow. We go south to enjoy the sun. If you’re looking for heat, avoid running the air conditioning on maximum in your hotel room! Air conditioners are energy-intensive, especially when running at full blast. Be economical with electricity, but also with water, which are precious resources in certain regions of the world. Everything is included, but everything has a value!
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4. Avoid food waste
Food is often included in the all-inclusive package. “The buffet formula is widespread, because it limits the number of employees and allows faster service,” explains Mr. Grenier. But when there is no limit, we tend to exaggerate. Having eyes bigger than your stomach and throwing away half your food at the end of the meal contributes to overproduction and overconsumption. A few tips: serve yourself on a small plate to put less or opt for the hotel restaurant with table service, where waste is limited.
5. Consume local
Yes, you love sushi. But did you go to Mexico to eat Japanese? All-inclusives adapt to holidaymakers’ tastes and offer them the food they are used to eating at home. Conclusion: some of the products consumed are imported. This transport of goods thus increases GHG emissions. By purchasing food and products grown locally, the ecological footprint will be reduced in addition to supporting the local economy. In Mexico, eat tacos!
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