While travelling with the family is always fun, it also presents several difficulties, most especially when one is considering an eco-friendly trip. In my practice, I have learned that tiny tweaks to the decisions we make in our daily lives can have a huge impact on the environment. Here’s my guide on Eco-friendly travel tips for families while still enjoying the trip.

Some Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel for Families

1. Choosing Sustainable Destinations

During the planning of our family travel, the first thing I do is to identify eco-friendly, tourist-friendly places and prioritize sustainability. Some of the examples of green cities are Copenhagen, Vancouver, and Costa Rica. For instance, nearly 98% of the electrical power utilized in Costa Rica is obtained from renewable resources, and the country has set its sights on zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. By choosing these destinations that are putting efforts into being environmentally conscious, we are able to support their endeavor and encourage other cities to follow these efforts.

2. Opting for Eco-Friendly Accommodations

A place we choose to accommodate should be as important as a place we visit. From my standpoint, I have enjoyed my interaction with eco-lodges, which are most of the time located in scenic spaces and operate with environmentally friendly practices like using rainwater, solar power, and organic food products. Most of the hotels and accommodations today possess a certification from bodies such as Green Key or even the Earth Check. For instance, when we toured New Zealand, we stayed at an eco-certified hotel where the hotel and restaurants obtained 95% of their food supplies locally and recycled grey water for their garden. This made us feel content knowing that our presence in the place did not impose much effect on the environment.

3. Packing Smart and Light

That’s probably why I have altered my packing practices over these years. Now, I tend to stress the importance of packing light not only because it saves time and effort but also because it reduces aircraft fuel consumption. Did you know that by reducing even one kilogram of weight, fuel usage can actually be reduced drastically? This has helped me to buy eco-friendly travel products such as bamboo toothbrushes, refillable toiletry kits that can be refilled instead of being disposed of, and shopping bags that are reusable. For the children, I carry toys that are environment-friendly and books that are compact and versatile.

4. Using Public Transportation and Eco-Friendly Vehicles

Transport costs are one of the main expenses of any trip, and it is one place where we can all try to be more environmentally friendly. I always opt for the option of city transport, such as buses, trams, and trains with well-developed, efficient systems. When we were traveling to Tokyo with the kids, the fun of moving around in trains was a great adventure, incredibly cost-effective and safe for the environment. For cities with bad public transport systems, you can opt for a hybrid or electric car service as the next best thing. During our last trip to Iceland, we chose an electric car rental service and were surprised to find that there are charging points across the country.

5. Choosing Sustainable Activities

Activities are the core of any journey, and therefore, it’s important to understand that some activities are less friendly to the natural environment. Some preferred options include going for nature walks, canoeing, biking, and touring farms. Not only are they non-intrusive, but it is also an excellent chance to explain to children about the environment. For instance, on Galapagos Island, we were able to accompany a local conservation group on a snorkeling tour. It was an unforgettable experience. But the best part was that a portion of the fees collected for the tour also goes to the preservation of the marine conservation efforts.

6. Eating Local and Seasonally-Sourced Foods

Eating is very important when traveling, and this is one area where making eco-friendly choices is both delicious and adventurous. I always take my meals at restaurants that are locally owned and operated by a family rather than operating big franchises. This is beneficial in encouraging the growth of local businesses and also reduces the emission of carbon that is emitted during the transportation of food. When we were on a trip to Italy, we ate in a small trattoria where the chef used locally sourced ingredients that he bought from his garden and local markets. It was an amazing experience and gave me that comforting feeling of belonging to the place you are visiting.

7. Minimizing Single-Use Plastics

Another difficult decision that I had to make was to reduce single-use plastics, especially when we have children with us. What seemed to have an impact on us was preparing a “green travel kit” with essentials like water flasks, bamboo cutlery, stainless steel straws, and foldable food containers. A shocking fact is that every year, approximately 12 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans, and travelling with a prepared kit has helped us be part of the solution. A relatively small but significant improvement that we came up with on one of the trips to Thailand was that when walking around the city, we had our own reusable water bottles, which helped avoid numerous plastic bottles as many cafes and restaurants offered water refill stations.

8. Teaching Kids About Responsible Tourism

Lastly, travelling eco-friendly isn’t only a mission; it requires our child’s engagement and educating him/her on the significance of the activity. This has taught me that children love learning and have immense curiosity about the world in which they live. I take advantage of each such situation, whether collecting waste on a beach or avoiding interfering with wildlife during a nature trail, to teach principles of sustainable tourism. When we were in Yellowstone National Park, the children learned about the concept of “Leave No Trace.” They did their part by becoming little ambassadors and ensured we left every spot as they were. As a parent, I felt like I was doing a great job helping them learn.

Also Read: What Is Agritourism?

Conclusion

Do not think that travelling with family while being responsible for the environment is impossible; on the contrary, it is very enjoyable. From where we go to what we bring with us, every choice we make has a direct impact on what the world of travel looks like. It is about leaving a positive impact and passing it on to our kids so they learn the same. Such small actions are significant, and I discovered how each of them can be combined to create a more profound experience on the road. So, consider these eco-friendly travel tips for families as you plan your next adventure. I promise that the planet—and your kids—will thank you.

Also Read: How Can The Tourism Industry Help In Preventing Climate Change