Fair and climate-friendly travel at your vacation destination

Webinar "Climate-friendly travel on location"

Activities and transportation at the vacation destination also contribute to the carbon footprint of a trip. However, by choosing fair and climate-friendly activities, you can make a positive contribution to climate protection, improving the living conditions of local people and preserving biodiversity.

Saskia Sánchez and René Morawetz explained to the almost 50 participants in our fifth webinar on "Climate-friendly travel on location" exactly how this works and why it is better to avoid certain activities on vacation.

Tips for sustainable activities and transportation

Travel is much more than just relaxing and soaking up the sun. It is also a contribution to international understanding. This means that you should not only pay attention to climate-friendly activities, but also to fair activities. The more authentic the encounters with the local culture are, the more intensively the traveller gets to know the other culture and way of life, traditions and values and the more beautiful impressions and memories they return home with.

Climate-friendly and fair activities are, for example:

• Non-motorized means of transport: bicycle, canoe, pedal boat, feet, etc.

• Use of local public transport

• Hikes and walks

• Guided, individual exploration tours with local guides -> They know the area and show special features away from overtourism

• Offers without close contact with animals

Which activities should be avoided if possible?

• Motorized (water) sports à Exhaust- and noise-intensive, disturb the local flora and fauna

• Amusements for which a high consumption of energy resources is accepted, e.g. golfing, water parks, indoor skiing. Playing golf, water parks, indoor ski slopes in Dubai

• Animal activities that do not guarantee species-appropriate husbandry such as elephant rides, dolphin and orca shows, petting big cats, holding koalas, whale watching (except with certified tour operators)

More tips for climate-friendly and fair behaviour on site

• Saving energy, e.g. air conditioning when ventilating or leaving the hotel. Switch off the air conditioning when ventilating or leaving the room

• Avoid waste, e.g. return empty plastic bottles / products. take empty plastic bottles / products back home and dispose of them properly

• Use towels (and bed linen) more than once

• Bring your own (biodegradable) cosmetics and hygiene products

• Make sure you use environmentally friendly sun cream

• Bring your own from home: Drinking cup, drinking bottle, lunch boxes, crockery and cutlery, reusable shopping bag

• Use reusable products (e.g. no straws, cocktail stirrers etc.) )

• Buy regional and local products, pay attention to where they are produced, observe export regulations

• Explore flora and fauna with local guides, stay on marked trails

The factsheet provides information and further links on the topic.

Download factsheet