Sustainable travel is all about making sure that your vacation choices have minimal negative impacts on the environment, the local culture and its people. It’s about traveling with the utmost respect for the places you visit and the people you interact with. You can discover some of the best sustainable travel destinations in the world and explore them responsibly.
From eco-friendly resorts and hotels to organic farm stays and local businesses, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the world and give back to the communities you visit. Whether you’re interested in eco-tourism, wildlife conservation, or cultural immersion, there are many sustainable travel destinations.
Look for destinations that offer eco-friendly accommodations, activities and attractions that are respectful of the environment and local businesses and organizations that positively impact their communities. By traveling responsibly, you can help to preserve some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Top sustainable travel destinations
Sustainability isn’t just limited to environmental issues. It also involves having a thriving society and a good political system. As such, it can be challenging to determine what is sustainable and what isn’t. This is why the Global Destinations Sustainability Index is so vital as it looks into 70 different indicators, such as CO2 emissions, air quality, political corruption, and unemployment. It then assigns every destination a ‘sustainability score’ based on their performance.
Gothenburg was the highest-ranked city this year, with a score of 93%. The Swedish city is known for its green public transport and local biodiversity.
Top 30 green destinations
- Gothenburg, Sweden – 93%
- Bergen, Norway – 88.4%
- Copenhagen, Denmark – 86.7%
- Aalborg, Denmark – 86.4%
- Bordeaux, France – 85.1%
- Glasgow, Scotland – 84.1%
- Stockholm, Sweden – 84.1%
- Belfast, Northern Ireland – 84%
- Aarhus, Denmark – 83.5%
- Oslo, Norway – 83.2%
- Lyon, France – 83%
- Helsinki, Finland – 82.8%
- Kerry, Ireland – 82.4%
- Tirol, Austria – 80.9%
- Middelfart, Denmark – 80.5%
- Reykjavik, Iceland – 80.3%
- Zurich, Switzerland – 80.2%
- Goyang, South Korea – 78.3%
- Odense, Denmark – 76.6%
- Melbourne, Australia – 76.6%
- Brussels, Belgium – 75.9%
- Cork, Ireland – 75%
- Svendborg, Denmark – 74.9%
- Montreal, Canada – 74.5%
- Paris, France – 74.3%
- Berlin, Germany – 74.1%
- Sydney, Australia – 73.8%
- Bangkok, Thailand – 73.7%
- Faroe Islands – 73.3%
- Galway, Ireland – 73.2%
If you’re looking to make your travels more sustainable, there are a few key tips to keep in mind. Firstly, try to choose green transportation such as electric cars and trains, or opt for carpooling with friends or family.
Secondly, be mindful when booking your accommodation. Look for hotels or rental homes that have been certified as energy efficient, or consider camping outdoors.
Thirdly, bring reusable water bottles and shopping bags to reduce plastic consumption. And lastly, be sure to support local businesses and buy locally-sourced food and products.
Sustainable travel is not only good for the environment, but it’s also a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and landscape of the destination you’re visiting. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve the planet for future generations.
So the next time you plan a trip, keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be sure to have a more eco-friendly and enjoyable vacation.
