Tips for responsible and sustainable travel

All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.

- Martin Buber, Austrian-Israeli philosopher

So you’ve learned what exactly sustainable travel and tourism mean, and now you’re ready to start incorporating some or all of those principles into your next trip. But where do you start? How do you find an eco-friendly hotel and how do you know if a destination is suffering from overtourism? The task can seem daunting especially with so many different travel resources available. Below are more specific international organizations that focus on sustainability to help travelers narrow down all of the choices.

Sustainability also covers a lot of different themes and goals and you’re likely not going to be able to craft the perfectly responsible trip each time you vacation. The 100% clean energy hotel in a poverty-free seaside town that has a commitment to protecting all wildlife and you can offset all of your carbon emissions to get there probably doesn’t exist. Yet. You don’t have to try to do it all! Focusing on just one of the goals whether it’s being as environmentally friendly as possible or supporting only local/family owned businesses can make planning less overwhelming and still be a responsible traveler.

Setting your intention to be mindful is a common value amongst the organizations below. Small steps matter and they can grow into larger journeys. This sentiment also mirrors that familiar phrase: vote with your wallet. If you’d like to see more sustainable options in your favorite places, patronize those businesses and buy those products that are already available. This will signal to policymakers, hoteliers, tour operators and more the importance of and demand for these sustainable practices to be followed and goals met.

Sustainable Travel Resources

The World Tourism Organization is a specialized agency under the United Nations. It often sets the gold standard in policies and practices that many of the below organizations follow including how tourism fits into the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. They leverage their large resources to help combat climate change, provide hotel energy solutions, aid in policy and destination management, and sponsor tourism startup competitions to foster innovations in the industry. Notably, WTO has established a Global Code of Ethics for Tourism that are designed for professionals and travelers alike to be more responsible in their activities.

The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is a non-profit that institutes and maintains global standards for sustainable tourism and travel. There are two divisions: the Destination Criteria which is for public policy-makers and the Industry Criteria for which is for hoteliers and tour providers. Once certified by an independent and neutral accreditation body, GSTC then provides marketing support to encourage travelers to patronize those businesses. Certified destinations and accommodations can be found on their website along with comprehensive guides on how to be a more conscientious tourist before, during, and after traveling.

Sustainable Travel International is an organization founded in 2002 that is “dedicated to minimizing the negative impacts of tourism and maximizing its positive benefits for peoples, culture, nature, and wildlife around the globe.” They have programs that work with local governments, businesses, and communities to bolster sustainable development, green policymaking, and the design and measurement of standards all through direct collaboration and involvement of the people who live and work in the destination.For travelers, they have tools and resources to help each of us become more responsible on our vacations. There are checklists, online training courses, a Facebook group, and instructions on how to offset your travel carbon footprint.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is an organization founded in 1990 that has been a leader in ecotourism, “addressing the need for uniting communities, conservation and sustainable travel, [and] continues to underscore the importance of community engagement in facilitating economic social and environmental sustainability.” TIES specializes in education and offers an ecotourism Master Class, a professional certificate program accredited through George Washington University, and an annual conference that provides workshops in a different destination every year.

Tourism Cares’ believes that “every meaningful journey is a collection of small steps.” With their Meaningful Travel Platform, they provide online educational resources for businesses to establish versatile and strong sustainability strategies. They also manage a Meaningful Map of tour operators and vendors that do not participate in harmful practices such as wildlife captivity, visiting orphanages, or breaking other child safety ethics. While designed more for tourism industry professionals and providers, this information can still give much needed insight for the everyday traveler to ensure they are visiting places and shopping with businesses that strive to be a positive force in their communities.

Kind Traveler was recently given a 2020 Global Vision Award for being a leader in developing responsible products, practices, and experiences by Travel + Leisure. Their socially conscious booking platform connects travelers to destinations and hotels that align with the values of the traveler. Often there are discounts on room rates with a portion of that rate being donated to a charity of choice. Causes include disaster relief, arts and music, animal welfare and much more.

Sustainable tips for your visit to Seattle, WA

Seattle is often described as one of the most sustainable cities in the United States. It’s easy to see why with all of the bike paths, closeness to many parks and reserves, and the many innovative cleantech startups. In late 2019, WalletHub did a comprehensive study on cities promoting a green lifestyle throughout the country to rank which ones are the most successful at implementing sustainable initiatives. They collected data on key indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, green job opportunities, and farmers market per capita. Seattle came in at number 6 out of 100 and ranked second in the lifestyle and policy category. Similarly, in the 2019 U.S. Cities Sustainable Development Report, Seattle ranked number 4 out of 105 cities. Categories in which they had good performance are decreasing poverty, health and well-being, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, and peace, justice and strong institutions.

What I liked most about my visit to Seattle was how accessible everything was. It was easy to get around the city and explore, easy to find new experiences, and easy to connect with the community. Many businesses embrace the innovative technological advances of the sustainability mindset and are transparent about their practices and efforts. My only wish was that the official tourism offices of the city promoted and compiled green initiatives for tourists coming to the area, but PNW Micro Adventures has you covered for sustainable tour operators that get you out into nature.

Below are recommendations on businesses that follow some or all of the tenets of sustainability in their operations.

Sustainable Seattle

Public Transportation - Seattle has an extensive and varied public transportation system which includes everything from walking paths to ferries. Getting around is extremely easy in the city which means visitors don’t have to rely on renting a car and they can visit areas they might not have otherwise. Outside of familiar modes like buses and taxis, there’s a light rail system, streetcar, bike shares, and even a monorail! If you’re from an area like me where there’s a barely functioning bus system, then it can be fun to try all of the options just for the experience.

P-Patch Community Gardens - Part of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods, the P-Patch Community Gardens were started in 1973. There are 89 total gardens located throughout the city totaling 33.7 acres of land dedicated to growing organic food, nurturing civic engagement, nutritional education, feeding the hungry, and generally improving the communities in which they are located. I love having a garden plot myself that’s just a few blocks from my house. It’s enriching to grow your own food and share in the experience with others.

Rich Cultural Heritage - There are many celebrated cultures in the city and region of Seattle. Prominent amongst them are Native American tribes. The Suquamish and Duwamish people have been in the area for centuries and have influenced the names, artwork, and traditions of the city. Heritage sites, museums, cultural centers and yearly events are great ways to learn more about these tribes. Asian American, Latinx, African American, and Nordic heritages have also made their mark and are definitely worth exploring throughout the city.

Where to Stay

Sugar Shack Houseboat - Think tiny cabin on the water! This classic houseboat was built in 1946 and has been lovingly refurbished. It floats in the heart of Lake Union with easy access public transportation and walking and bike baths. Being a boat, all amenities are designed to be minimalist and energy efficient. The views are spectacular with three decks to enjoy being on the water. The whole space is cozy and the perfect size for two.

Ace Hotel - This boutique hotel is housed in an historic boarding house in Belltown. The rooms are quite unique with each featuring vintage or reclaimed furniture and original artwork from local artists. Some rooms are like a semi-private hostel, meaning the sleeping room is private with twin or double beds and furnished similarly to your typical hotel room, but there is a shared bathroom down the hall. All bathrooms feature large, refillable Rudy’s Hair and Body Products and there is a self-serve laundry on site if you like to pack light.

Fairmont Olympic Seattle - The Fairmont brand is one of the world leaders when it comes to combining luxury amenities and green practices. They have an extensive sustainability policy that is implemented at all locations and this particular one is just blocks away from Pike’s Place. The historic property was built in 1924 and is gearing up for a centennial celebration that promises new life to culinary and design experiences. It has a GreenLeaders Bronze level award from TripAdvisor and sustainability highlights such as transforming their cooking oil into Biodiesel, composts food and yard waste on site, saves over 1.7 million gallons of water a year and has honey beehives on the rooftop.

Where to Eat

Cafe Flora - This charming restaurant is located nearby the Japanese Gardens. Their cuisine is vegetarian with vegan and gluten free options and they make a conscious effort to source produce and other ingredients from local, organic, and sustainable farms. Self-described as community-based, they regularly give back and donate to local non-profit organizations that align with their values. And if you can’t make it this location during your travels, they also have a sister cafe, Floret, located in the SeaTac airport.

Conscious Eatery - A philanthropic sandwich shop with a mission to end hunger one meal at a time. They focus on quality ingredients with a healthy dose of love baked right in. Ingredients are carefully selected from local farmers, bakers, and butchers who take equal pride in their own products. With each meal purchased there is one donated to a local food bank or shelter and if you’ve got a large group event, they also offer catering services.

Ghost Alley Espresso - Tiny, yet soulful. Don’t miss out on this coffee shop nestled in an old attendant’s room in the corner of an alleyway below Pike’s Place. With inventive drinks made using locally roasted beans, this is the perfect spot for an early morning brew or a pick-me-up in the afternoon while exploring the city. Come back at night for a ghost tour that starts right outside their doors.

Off the Rez - Ever had Native American cuisine? Now’s your chance to try some food and flavors from the Blackfeet tribe. Traditional fryebread and Indian tacos are stars on the menu which you can find at two locations. The original truck makes its way to different parking spots throughout the city and they recently opened a brick and mortar location in the beautiful Burke Museum.

What to Do

Seattle Sustainable City Tour - This day long, unique tour is offered by Global Family Travels as part of their compassionate community series. Tour guides take their guests to area favorites like Pike Place, Chinatown, the Gates Foundation and Discovery Center, and the Wing-Luke Museum of Asian Pacifica American Experience, but with a focus on learning about the city’s many philanthropy initiatives. Lunch will be served at a FareStart restaurant whose mission is to alleviate poverty, homelessness and hunger through employing and teaching vulnerable populations and donating food to shelters.

Bloedel Reserve - This expansive property is located a short ferry ride away on Bainbridge Island. Once a private residence to a family in the logging industry, the Bloedel Reserve is now a bastion of conservation and environmental stewardship. It was started by an heir of the family that had a true love for nature and horticulture and even pioneered sustainable practices in the logging industry to better protect land and habitats. Trails wind and weave throughout the property and feature many protected plants and quiet spaces for reflection in nature.

Asia Workshops at Seattle Art Museum - Learning a craft or skill is a unique and enthralling way to experience another culture. In a new summer series called Makers Nights, the Seattle Art Museum offers guests the chance to work with local artists to explore new creative processes and innovative re-use of materials. Be sure to take in the extensive galleries and exhibits of the museum collections to find inspiration amongst all of the beautiful art.

Sustainable tips for your visit to Charleston, SC

Charleston, South Carolina is arguably one of the top travel and tourism destinations in the world. The city, surrounding lowcountry region, and individual properties have received numerous awards from top travel publications throughout the last decade. Notably, Travel + Leisure magazine has ranked Charleston as the #1 City in the US for the past seven years. With its vibrant history, picturesque gardens, expanding culinary scene and luxury accommodations, it’s no wonder that Charleston is a favorite for travellers to visit.

Sustainability initiatives in Charleston are growing among individual residents and neighborhoods, city policy and a handful of private businesses and nonprofits. Recently, local governments passed regulations regarding single-use plastics, implemented a bike share program, and improving infrastructure and responsible development are always part of the public discourse.

However, there is no central leadership in the hospitality and tourism sector to push for greater sustainable and eco-friendly policies. This comes down to individual business owners and managers to do the research, develop their best practices, and try to follow any applicable guidelines set by international organizations such as Green Globe. Travelers can have a tough time finding the places that are mindful in their actions.

Below are recommendations on businesses that follow some or all of the tenets of sustainability in their operations.

Sustainable Charleston

Walkability - Downtown Charleston on the peninsula has excellent walkability, meaning that you can get to pretty much anywhere by foot. The main sites, restaurants, accommodations and activities are all within 2 miles of each other. Typically this means travelers do not need a car once they arrive. A quick Uber or Lyft from the airport is easy and there is also a free shuttle, pedi-cabs, and bikes available to get you around town.

Green Spaces - Charleston has a plethora of green spaces and famous gardens. There are over 15 public parks on the peninsula with many more a short drive away. The Charleston Parks Conservancy takes great care of the plants with a focus on cultivating native species. Tiedemann Park even has a nature center with reptile and amphibian displays which is definitely worth a stop as you’re strolling through the historic Mazyck-Wraggborough neighborhood.

Historic Preservation and Urban Development - While controversial among residents and still in its beginning stages, this feature of sustainability speaks to the city’s desire to remain authentic and unique. Over tourism and over development are real concerns in many parts of the world and Charleston has been feeling a bit of squeeze in the last decade. Historic preservation of some of the city’s oldest homes actually began in the 1920s, and now a new ordinance regarding hotel development on the peninsula will further balance future tourism and livability with the historic charm of centuries old city.

Sustainable Seafood - The South Carolina Aquarium is a world class research facility, sea turtle rescue hospital, and a leader in many coastal sustainable initiatives in the southeast US. One noteworthy program is Good Catch. It generates awareness in communities in support of local fisheries and consumption of responsibility harvested seafood. Overfishing in a particular area or of a particular species can seriously harm the ecosystem of the ocean. It’s important for consumers to know where their fish comes from and eat at the restaurants that responsibly source their seafood. Good Catch makes this easy by partnering with and identifying establishments that meet their high standards.

Where to Stay

Restoration Hotel - This four star hotel is in the heart of the historic downtown and it has one of the highest green ratings awarded by Trip Adviser. It has the GreenLeaders Silver level and over 50 points of certification including tracking water usage, using refillable toiletries dispensers, energy efficient appliances, an electric vehicle charging station, and purchasing products with recycled content. Not many accommodations in Charleston have this award.

Harmony on Display - A Costa Rican inspired tiny house on Johns Island. This AirBnB is 522 sqft and built using many recycled, repurposed, and reused materials. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it is only a short drive from the island’s burgeoning food scene and to downtown Charleston.

NotSo Hostel - This hostel is located in a historic district next to Upper King Street and consists of private rooms, dorm rooms, and common areas of renovated houses. It has great walkability, a community garden, composting bins, and newly insulated windows and walls to help ward off that Charleston heat.

Where to Eat

FIG - Food Is Good has a creative and seasonal menu located in the historic district. Part of the Good Catch program, this elevated fare strives to exceed guest expectations. Reservations are notoriously difficult but it is possible to walk in early around 5:30 and sit at their community table for delicious small, shareable plates and unique cocktails.

Boathouse at Breach Inlet - Situated on the inlet between Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms, this restaurant has spectacular views and a daily selection of fresh fish as part of the Good Catch program. This is a favorite of locals and it’s charming to sit at the rooftop bar to strike up a conversation with the neighbors.

Workshop - A unique set of six kitchens as part of an exploratory food court. These kitchens are a rotation of experiment styles and emerging chefs set at the Pacific Box and Crate Development in the burgeoning digital corridor. This is one of Charleston’s most modern looking architectural campuses and the designers employed many green and innovative materials and reused existing structures already on the site.

What to Do

Charleston Farmers Market - One of many in the area with the one downtown at Marion Square being the most accessible. This market hosts a wide range of vendors including local farmers, cheese makers, butchers, olive oils, several artisans and food trucks for breakfast or lunch. Live music plays while you shop and a favorite artisan vendor is MacBailey Candle Co. Their reusable tabby concrete candle is a great souvenir or gift.

Charleston Waterkeepers - Voluntourism opportunities on the weekend for those who want to help clean up areas of the rivers, marshes, and beaches. They are an invaluable resource on the history and health of the local watershed.

Coastal Expeditions - Local kayak and SUP rental and tour company that help adventurers get close to nature. Visitors can paddle around Shem Creek and even go on longer guided trips out to Bulls Island. Their education programs are top notch and they have a specialty workshop on sustainability.

McLeod Plantation - Run by the Charleston County Parks system, this plantation is closest to downtown and only recently opened to the public in 2015. The grounds feature grand oaks, original farmhouse, slave cabins, and educational center. There is a strong attention to detail and focus on authenticity in stories they tell of the enslaved peoples and the land owners.

Sustainability in Hospitality and Tourism: Big Picture Overview

Sustainable - “meet[ing] the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

- Brundtland Report, UN World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

As with most other industries, sustainability is a newer term that is gaining speed in hospitality and tourism. Many travelers have wondered and asked why it is important to be mindful of the places we choose to visit and the manner in which we do. The idea of sustainability took so long to appear because there really wasn’t an idea of excess before the 1980s.

After the hardships, famines, and rationing of the 1930-40s, people were ready to spend and explore. Advancements in technology allowed for easier and less expensive travel and opportunities were plentiful. Until it got to be too much and overpowering. Even today we’re still struggling with the fact that more or bigger is not always better. Add to that, accurate measurements weren’t available for how tourism affects environments, cultures and infrastructure. It takes time for tourism to make an impact, either positive or negative.

Even though “green, eco, organic” and others are used as buzzwords in marketing more often than ever, sustainability measures have the substance to remain viable for the foreseeable future. They just need to be done correctly and cooperatively across all sectors of tourism and hospitality.

Tourism Sectors

Tourism is a system made up of many interconnected sectors. These sectors all have to work together in order for a particular destination or city to be appealing to travelers. They each have their challenges in moving toward more sustainable operations and impact.

• Accommodations - all lodgings like hotels, resorts, bed and breakfast inns. (The status of AirBnB as being included as hospitality/tourism revenue is still in debate.) Challenges include energy and water usage, waste, and building construction. Positive outcomes are employment opportunities and tax revenue to the local economy. Exciting innovations to building design and a growing number of options for mass-produce supplies (toiletries, cleaning products, etc) that are more eco-friendly.
• Food and Beverage - restaurants, catering services, bars. Generates a large amount of waste both in operations and in the supply chain of sourcing food. Emerging trend of locally sourced farms, many jobs for local communities, promotes culture of destination.
• Transportation - airplanes, cars, buses, ships, trains and the infrastructure they use. Major challenges are pollution and efficiency with transportation contributing to nearly 25% of global CO2 related to energy use. Advancements in electric rail, bus, and car technology for a cleaner travel experience.
• Meetings and Events - think conventions, trade shows, group business trips, weddings. Arguably the largest money-maker for destinations. It is often difficult to measure the full economic impact from a single meeting or event as effects can be far reaching and long term. High levels of waste, especially in consumables like food and single use plastics. Many centers and operators are beginning to offer more sustainable solutions in waste collection.
• Recreation - parks, attractions, sports, music. Similar to meetings and events as they bring in large numbers of people that then stay and eat locally. But, they are usually one-off visits, meaning their effects and benefits are not as long term. Many US National Parks have seen an increase in visitation in the last few years and strive to promote sustainable and environmental education.

In order to have a mutually beneficial relationship between tourism sectors and the place itself, the United Nations World Tourism Organization provides a set of principles for governments and businesses to follow:

1. To improve the quality of life of the host community;

2. To provide a high-quality experience for visitors;

3. To maintain the quality of the environment on which both the host community and the visitors depend.

In order to fully adhere and engage with these guidelines, there are many converging trends in tourism that seek to address the sustainability challenges of each sector and promote the emerging solutions. Eco-tourism, voluntourism, and slow travel aim to encourage the authenticity and experience of the journey and destination. As more consumers demand environmentally friendly and socio-economically healthy practices for tourism, the better and more sustainable the industry will be as a whole.