Responsible Travelers Celebrate Earth Day Everyday!

Responsible travel is not a trend, but a mindset and philosophy that one chooses to practice. Many eco-friendly terms have similar meanings: ecotourism, low impact travel, sustainable tourism, and ethical tourism. Its a way of travel in which you are mindful of your impact on the people and places you visit.

April 22, 2020, marks the 50th anniversary of World Earth Day!

As a global citizen, you can do your part to celebrate the health of our planet, every day. From adopting simple travel practices and products purchased to choosing eco-friendly travel options and seeking ethical animal encounters. Here are 16 easy ways you, as a responsible traveler, can show your appreciation for our planet, animals and other cultures.

Most forms of transportation create some level of carbon emissions. Choosing a low emission transport option, when possible, such as eco-friendly vehicles, trains, buses, bicycles, and walking have fewer environmental impacts. If air travel is unavoidable, be conscious of the number of flights. Take-off and landings create the most emissions, so choose direct flights if possible.

Pack light always. Packing efficiently will make your travel experience more enjoyable, but less weight means less fuel to transport and will also be easier on your back!

Global citizens are conscious of natural resources and sustainable energies. When traveling, be considerate of the local environment and tread lightly, leaving no trace and in better shape than you found it. Start with the earth-friendly practices below:

Where ever you are, turn off the lights, TV, chargers, food appliances, and the air conditioner as much as possible and ALWAYS when you leave a room.

Reduce water consumption by limiting the number of times you use a 3rd party laundry service. If you only have a few items, wash them yourself in the sink and let them air dry. If you must get your clothes laundered, be sure it is a full load of laundry. Each guest’s laundry is washed separately and not an efficient use of water.

Reuse your towels and sheets. Hang up your towels and make your bed for a couple of days. Don’t be a total slob on vacation. Save water and energy by pickup after yourself for a few days and then request room service. You will conserve hundreds if not thousands of gallons of water on your seven days vacation.

Shampoo and conditioner bars are zero-waste items that are easy to travel with and are no-spill, and since they are not liquid can be stored in your carry-on luggage.

Bring along a large, reusable water bottle everywhere you go. To minimize waste and save our oceans, do not buy single-use plastic water bottles. Bring your own personal water filter or seek accommodations that offer filtered water or bottled water options.

If coffee is a must, be sure to take a reusable coffee mug when traveling. An insulated coffee mug can also be used for tea, soup, and perfect for an evening cocktail.

Bring along a foldable reusable shopping bag for trips to the grocery, gift shopping, and great to use as a tote for beach towels when heading to the beach. Again, avoid single-use plastic bags to save the environment and our oceans.

When recycling or composting is available, always do what you can to sort appropriately and put only food scraps in the composting bin. Always be the example and deal with your recycling correctly.

A big part of traveling is experiencing new flavors, enjoying a favorite local dish, all the while supporting the local economy, and also practicing environmentally friendly practices.

Dine-in rather than getting take-out. Generally, take-out food requires the single-time use of disposable plastic and Styrofoam and then discarded.

No Straw, please. Adopt the practice of not using a straw or bring your reusable straw. There are many options on the market, and they are easy to store in a travel bag or purse.

Choose to purchase fresh produce from the local farmers market and support the local economy. In most cases, the food is fresh, organic, and non-GMO.

Natural Wonders are big attractions when traveling. Travelers seek-out unique, natural beauty, experiences, and animal encounters. It’s why we travel, but there are ethical, earth-friendly ways to take care of the environments we are visiting.

Stay on designated trails when hiking, tracking, or riding around, so that you don’t harm vegetation and possibly animal habitats. Bring a bag with you and consider picking up any small bits of trash you see along the way.

Don’t buy souvenirs made from illegal logging or endangered species. Look for Fair Trade or locally made items.

Don’t ride the elephants, instead choose a sanctuary-based experience that offers single-day visits and week-long volunteer opportunities to interact with the elephants at a park and in tribal settings, feed, and observe.

New Zealand Travel Solved encourages all of its global citizens to celebrate these earth-friendly practices daily. We only engage with earth-friendly accommodations and tour providers who demonstrate understanding and apply sustainable principles by minimizing water, employing locals, reducing the use of chemicals, and strive from eco-friendly business practices.

We ask the questions and do the research, so you don’t have too. We have found that these kinds of New Zealand businesses are run by friendly and naturally caring people who go the extra mile to ensure our adventures are great as well as eco-friendly.