According to the World Tourism Organization, sustainable travel is tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of its visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. With so much to consider, planning an eco-friendly vacation can be challenging. To help us learn more, Rabbie’s, a small group tour company based in the UK, shares their sustainable travel tips.

Tips for Booking a Sustainable Holiday

Consider your mode of transport
While it’s hard to resist the temptation of a self-drive holiday post-pandemic, this convenient way of getting around is not the most eco-friendly. Traveling using communal transport modes, such as a small mini-bus, is a much more fuel-efficient option to reduce your carbon emissions. Domestic coach tours are a great way to explore a country and visit destinations off-the-beaten track in a sustainable way by lowering the number of independent vehicles on the road.

Visit smaller communities
Steer clear of tourist hot-spots and opt to visit destinations that are typically out of reach. Areas outside of the standard sightseeing trail have been hit especially hard by the pandemic. Tourism spend is worth so much more to these smaller communities and sustainable travelers have an opportunity to really make a difference to the lives of locals.

Leave no trace
Particularly important when choosing to visit natural beauty locations, travelers should aim to leave places as they found them (or in some circumstances, in a better shape than when they arrived). A local, knowledgeable guide can help travelers respect the communities being visited to ensure an enjoyable journey for those on the tour, as well as those who will visit next.

Choose a responsible operator
It is key to select a sustainable and morally-sound tour operator when traveling. This is one of the best travel tips for how to book a sustainable holiday. Tour companies with substantial green credentials and responsible travel initiatives offer a great way to reduce the impact your travel has on the environment. For example, Rabbie’s has environmental protection as a core focus of its business. The company even taxes itself £10 for every tonne of CO2 used, with staff then voting on which community or environmental project this money should go towards each year.

Thank you, Rabbie’s!

About Rabbie’s
Established in 1993 by Robin Worsnop in Edinburgh, Rabbie’s was a ‘1-man, 1-van’ business. Currently, Rabbie’s provides award-winning small group tours departing from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, London, Manchester and Dublin. Starting in 2021, Rabbie’s will be operating private tours across western Europe, giving travelers the chance to explore hidden gems in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.

Website: www.rabbies.com
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +44(0) 131 226 3133

If you enjoyed Tips for Booking a Sustainable Holiday, check out other travel tips from tour operators.