Eco-tourism is the hot new way to vacation for the eco-savvy. But you don’t have to pay to be an eco-traveler. There are tons of things you can do anywhere you go. Many people forget to pack their green habits in their suitcase (after all, you have to pay to fly with that luggage!). Luckily, you can tuck these tips in the back of your mind and you can bring them wherever you go.
The true eco-tourist starts before they even leave home. Shut off and unplug appliances, because many things around your home continue to use energy if they’re plugged in, whether they are on or off. Make sure you shut off everything, including the indoor and outdoor appliances. Turn your heat down, keeping it warm enough to protect your pipes from freezing (usually, 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit is fine). Close your drapes to keep the heat trapped inside. Put your daily newspaper delivery on hold for the duration of your vacation. All of these techniques can actually help save you money on your bills while you’re gone, which is definitely a plus if you are headed off to a pricey locale.
On your way to your destination, consider alternative modes of transportation. Trains and buses emit significantly less pollution than an airplane does. Or, you could choose to purchase carbon credits to offset the emissions from your flight. When you reach your destination, take the hotel shuttle instead of a taxi.
Even if you aren’t going on an eco-vacation, you can still choose to patronize hotels that participate in energy and resource saving initiatives. Check online for a list of hotels that belong to the Green Hotel Association in the US. What’s great is that you can find hotels in any price range. You can find everything from Ramada’s and Motel 8s, to a St. Regis. I Stay Green is another great website that includes reviews and a green rating system. Many of the hotels on their list are reputable national chains within reasonable price ranges. There are affordable ‘green’ hotels in every city; just do a little research before you book.
Once you reach your chosen destination, you can really amp-up your eco-traveler habits. In the bathroom, take shorter showers, and if possible, bring your own little travel amenities instead of using the ones provided by the hotel. Or, if you do use the hotels’, set aside any unused and unopened bottles when you leave.
If the hotel offers it, participate in their linen saving program and choose not to have your towels and sheets changed every day. If you don’t do it at home, why would you need to do it while away? If you’re staying with a group, bring colored safety pins or even paper clips to mark whose towel is whose. If your hotel doesn’t offer this as an option, take it upon yourself. Let the front desk know you do not want your linens changed, and leave out the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door.
If you do use the plastic cups provided, try to mark those as well, so individuals can reuse theirs without swapping germs.
When you head out to see the sights, turn off all the lights, TV, and air conditioner so energy isn’t wasted while you aren’t in the room. Close the drapes in the room to trap cool air inside. When you go out exploring, choose walking tours, hit the streets on your own two feet, or look into bike rental options. Talk to the front desk about their recycling policies and you can avoid creating recyclable garbage. You can also push the hotel to do more to go green themselves. Use those comment cards provided in the room, or speak to the manager about green policies you’d like to see in place.
No matter where you go you can be an eco-tourist by bringing your green habits with you.
