Did you know 2017 was designated the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development? It’s true! And it’s never too late to become an eco-friendly traveler. Sustainable travel is all about having a positive effect on the destinations you love to visit, and it can also enrich your vacation experience! Try these five simple eco-friendly tips while on your next vacation:
#1 – Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Bringing a reusable water bottle with you helps keep waste out of landfills and reduces your carbon footprint. Plastic bottles require fossil fuels to be produced and when thrown away fill up landfills and pollute our beautiful oceans.
#2 – Think Local
When you support local businesses you’re ensuring the benefits of tourism reach the local communities. It also helps local agriculture and reduces the need for outsourcing, which can have negative effects on the environment. When vacationing consider gathering food from the local farmers market to cook in your condo kitchen, dine at restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients, or choose to buy souvenirs from local artisans instead of souvenir stands. All these options also create a more vibrant vacation – you experience the rich cultures and history of the destination you’re visiting.
#3 – Choose Green Activities
There are many earth-friendly activities that you can do while on vacation and many of our beautiful resorts are located near the ocean or scenic nature trails. Consider doing green activities like snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, biking, and hiking. All of these activities reduce your carbon footprint and are a great way to explore the destination you’re visiting.
#4 – Responsible Sightseeing
As the old saying goes, “take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints.” When hiking be sure to stay on hiking trails and stay a safe distance from wildlife to keep those ecosystems well preserved. When snorkeling or exploring the ocean always leave the wildlife untouched. And of course, deposit all trash in marked receptacles or take it when you leave. These are great ways we keep the places we love to vacation beautiful and rich with flora and fauna.
#5 – Use Biodegradable Sunscreen
Using biodegradable sunscreen on your vacation helps save our delicate coral reefs and marine wildlife. Traditional sunscreens are known to have harsh ingredients and wash off easily during swimming. Some vacation destinations like Cancun and Cozumel in Mexico already require tourists to use biodegradable sunscreens to help conserve their vibrant ocean ecosystems, and they work just as well as traditional sunscreens.
Did You Know? When vacationing at any of our Grand Pacific resorts we recycle your used amenities through our partnership with Clean the World by sending them to poverty-stricken countries around the world.
Are you ready to be an eco-friendly traveler? The destinations you love to vacation in will thank you!
Check out how Grand Pacific Resorts is leading the pack in sustainable hospitality practices.