The 10 ecogestes to be adopted for an eco-friendly journey

What are the habits to travel ethically and responsibly? In this article, find 10 essential ecogestes to respect local culture and biodiversity.

The journey away from mass tourism has a unique taste... Run the hotels all inclusive and hyper-touristic attractions to otherwise address the discovery of new destinations. Travel responsibly requires the organization. But there are many rewards! In addition to reducing your impact on the environment, eco-friendly practices will open up a whole world of discovery and authenticity. In this article, discover 10 ecogestes to be adopted during your stay.

1. Travel less and more slowly

To travel responsibly, the first thing to do is to question your destination. Indeed, transport, especially flights by air, are the first emitters of greenhouse gases. The slower and closer you will travel, the lower your impact!

Rather than embark on the discovery of the Andean Cordillera, marvel at the sculptural heights of the Alps. Replace your stay on Tunisian beaches by a discovery of the little corners unknown Côte d’Azur , enter your return trip by plane to Rome by a road trip by car Turin , etc.

It is not for nothing but the slow travel democratizes. By reducing activities to focus on experience and immersion, you will be more immersed in your environment. Let yourself be carried by the local atmosphere, speak to the people around you, and you will live the journey with a great V!

2. Find out more about the destination and listen to local actors

Ecogestes to be adopted for a trip will not always be the same. In order to travel ethically and responsibly, it is essential to first learn about your destination. Curiosity will be your best weapon! Before leaving, please inform about the ecological measures of the region or the country. See the list of protected species, as well as the preconizations to be taken in the event of a meeting.

And once on the spot? Go to local actors! They are best placed to guide you during your stay.

3. Minimize waste

When we travel, we often use objects that only serve on a journey. Even the most stunning of us can find themselves destabilized in the face of the new needs they meet! To overcome this difficulty, prepare your equipment in advance. As often, the angels are primarily a matter of patience.

Some travel accessories are essential, such as the bottle of water that replaces the bottle. They avoid unnecessary packaging. Do not hesitate to adopt a minimalist approach to the journey by avoiding the superfluous! Finally, think about taking everything necessary to avoid having to buy objects on site. Be particularly vigilant with electronic accessories (witnessers, chargers, etc.), whose manufacturing has a strong impact on the environment.

4. Maintain eco-friendly structures

Tourism professionals always offer more ethical and eco-friendly offers. Accommodation, guided tours, walks, biodiversity discovery... These services allow you to travel with a better approach. Moreover, some destinations are precursors in this area, such as Galapagos or Panama.

Ecotourism offers are mentioned by the European ecolabel and by the label Green Key . According to the Ademe (Environment and Energy Management Agency), these are the most reliable. With regard to accommodation in France, turn to the labels Gîtes Panda et Ecogîte . For tour operators, you can trust the ATR associations (acting for responsible tourism) and ATES (association for fair and solidarity tourism).

5. Support the local economy

This is a solid basis for ecoges to be adopted on a journey and at home: to consume locally. Turn to the producers and craftsmen of the region, and get the most out of the products. On the markets, do not hesitate to ask for advice from merchants. This is the opportunity to discover new flavours!

Do you love bringing back memories to your loved ones? There too, you'll have to be vigilant. Do not buy goods made from endangered species or ancient objects. Leave the shells and corals on the stalls of the merchants, and learn well before buying precious stones.

Feel free to use a local guide to accompany you on your trip. In addition to immersing yourself in his culture and getting you out of the beaten paths, he will guide you on the precautions to take for responsible travel.

6. Ensure the impact of food

In the same vein as the previous ecogest, you have to pay attention to the food you consume on site. When shopping, select local and seasonal products. Also, limit meat and industrial products and export.

Want a restaurant? Run hotel restaurants and tourist addresses, and turn to small local restaurants. You'll enjoy an original house kitchen. To discover the right addresses, let yourself be carried away from the neighborhoods where the mass tourism afflues. You can entrust your happiness to chance, or consult the tourist guides. A local guide will also advise you.

7. Observe ecosystems

Do you dream of evading yourself into nature during your holidays? Remember that all your actions have an impact on the environment. Each angel is therefore important, whether in everyday life or on travel.

As mentioned above, you need to learn about your destination before embarking on the adventure. If you want to visit a natural park, please inform about the constraints: bivouac, camp fire, authorized means of transport, etc. During a hike, trek or outdoor activity, plan your equipment and follow the already predefined trails, to avoid trapping a bit everywhere...

Of course, don't throw any waste in nature. Plan a bag to throw your rubbish in case you don't find any trash in the forest or on the beach. And to preserve the seas and oceans, choose a sun cream with low environmental impact.

8. Avoid tourist attractions that use animals

If you want to travel ethically and responsibly, you must flee the attractions that exploit animals. Zoos, safaris, water parks, elephant backwalks or camels... Conditions are often terrible and structures are almost never controlled. Today we know what monstrous practices are the norm in certain tourism sectors.

Also, be aware of the origin of products of animal origin. Do not consume anything that comes from a protected species, even on the pretext of discovering local crafts or gastronomy.

9. Reduce transport and focus on low-impact transport

Among the ecoges to be adopted on a journey, the choice of means of transport is of considerable importance. We have already mentioned it, but the aircraft is to be avoided as much as possible. You need to focus on the train and the bus.

Learn about existing networks in the city or country you want to visit. For small trips, turn to sustainable mobility solutions: bike, scooter... and of course walking!

10. Run mass tourism

Some destinations are suffering from an intoxicating tourist attendance. Archaeological sites, natural and wild landscapes, small authentic villages... Many are the places denominated by mass tourism.

To travel responsibly, avoid too touristic places. Getting out of the beaten paths promises discoveries that will remain engraved in your memory! You will have more opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and meet. If you would like to visit a must-see site, prefer hollow periods. Out of season, the atmosphere always has something more!