How to Travel Responsibly
Suppose you are interested in travel but also want to be conscious of your environmental impact. In that case, we have created a list of ways to be “greener” without sacrificing services and experiences for everything from relaxation to adventure! Don't hesitate to contact your Huffman Travel Luxury Travel Advisor to assist you with eco-friendly hotels or tour guides, book an eco-minded cruise, or plan a group trip to a specific place. We can also help you escape from high-traffic tourist spots with unique local experiences that can please you, and our planet!
HOW TO BE GREEN ON YOUR GETAWAY
Let’s Go Local
The best way to ensure host communities reap the benefits of tourism is by supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs. This is a way to enjoy an authentic travel experience and give back. Some hotels also offer programs that support their local communities. For example, our friends at Hotel Sol y Luna in Valle Sagrado, Perú, finance the Sol y Luna Association through profits as well as the generosity of guests, friends, and benefactors. This organization pursues inclusion and equality through education for the children of the Sacred Valley, along with sustainable work opportunities for local families.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Destination
Ask your travel advisor to suggest a destination committed to sustainable choices (i.e., Sweden, France, Portugal, United Kingdom, Iceland, Mexico, Costa Rica, to name but a few). Admittedly, most hotels have a considerable environmental impact. However, Huffman Travel is proud to partner with amazing, eco-friendly hotels like Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire, England, Le Bristol in Paris, France, and Rosewood Mayakoba in Rivera Maya, Mexico.
Be an Environmentalist while Away
If sustainability is part of your daily commitment at home, you can still save water and energy and help reduce carbon emissions while on vacation. When leaving your hotel room, you can turn off the lights, T.V., and A.C. Reusing towels and carrying a reusable water bottle are also helpful in reducing waste!
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Tourism accounts for about five percent of global CO2 emissions, and transportation generates 75 percent of all tourism-related emissions. Since reducing travel guilt can be accomplished by reducing our carbon footprint, ask your travel advisor how to coordinate flights that provide carbon offsets.
ECO-PACKING PREP
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Choosing the right sunscreen is essential to protect skin from burns and cancer while preserving our oceans and marine life. Selecting a sunscreen that is both effective and reef safe can be overwhelming. Here is a list of sunscreens considered to be reef safe.
Bring the Right Bag
When you're aiming for sustainable travel, less is more. You will want a bag that will take you from the Galapagos Islands to the fjords of Norway to an Alaskan cruise. Look for sustainable brands using repurposed or recycled materials to create luggage. We are fans of Away Travel's F.A.R. Convertible Backpack, designed to hold up on any journey—they are made with water- and abrasion-resistant sustainable materials and have the thoughtful details you know and love from all their products.
A Wise Wardrobe
Fashion can be fun and ethically made! You don't need to sacrifice your style when selecting durable, responsibly-sourced clothing, plus items made with organic and recycled materials. Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood are two fashion houses producing ethical clothing. Plan to use most pieces interchangeably to create a capsule wardrobe since sustainable travel starts with how much you pack.