Vogue.com Released Top Picks for Unparalleled Trip Destinations for Sustainable Travel – Travel And Tour World

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Sustainability in travel presents a complex challenge. While global exploration fosters understanding and transformation through exposure to diverse cultures, the environmental impact of air travel and tourist activities often contradicts efforts toward environmental preservation. Consequently, there is no straightforward fix for enhancing the sustainability of travel; the issue is multifaceted.

“When talking about a sustainable destination, different factors come into play,” explains Roi Ariel, General Manager at The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), an organization that sets global standards for sustainability in travel and tourism. “The management teams at destinations considered sustainable understand that ‘sustainability’ is a journey that is never complete.” Therefore, a dynamic approach is surely the way forward, with considerations stretching from sustainable management and socioeconomic implications to cultural and environmental impacts.

“I think what makes a hotel obviously sustainable from a guest perspective is conscious communication regarding all their initiatives to make their operations more sustainable,” says Few & Far co-founder Sarah Dusek, adding that “if a hotel isn’t talking about their initiatives, chances are they don’t have any.” There are baseline considerations that should already be put in place, such as minimizing (or eliminating) single-use plastics and the implementation of eco-friendly products such as soaps and cleaning products. “Conscious connection with sourcing of food is something I also expect to see,” Dusek says, noting the more local the better. Energy efficiencies and waste management strategies are also paramount, she notes, and often incorporate alternate, innovative sources such as solar power.

More broadly speaking, we can look to entire regions as sustainable travel destinations that prioritize conscientious tourism simply by checking for accreditations, like the GSTC certification. “Türkiye for example, has taken a big step towards sustainability as a destination,” Ariel says, noting that the country has developed the first mandatory national program for accommodations based on the GSTC Criteria. “From 2023 through 2030, all accommodations in Türkiye must be certified through a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body.”

Considering these intricacies, continue reading to discover eight distinctive sustainable travel spots this year, ranging from the rich ecosystems of Costa Rica to the secluded Arctic coasts of Norway.

Bawah Reserve, Indonesia

Situated in the South China Sea, the secluded Anambas Islands consist of six islands, 13 beaches, three lagoons, and 100 hectares of verdant forest. Bawah Reserve stands out as Indonesia’s first island powered entirely by renewable energy through a microgrid and holds a five-star certification from the Singing Blue WWF program. Visitors to this magical reserve can see 18 floating solar platforms that meet most of the island’s energy requirements. The resort offers dining options that use produce harvested from its own permaculture gardens. Furthermore, 98 percent of the staff are Indonesian, and their ‘ECOmmittee’ meets monthly to plan activities such as turtle conservation and beach clean-ups.

Rwanda, Africa

Gorilla trekking in Rwanda is a top-tier sustainable travel adventure. The country is celebrated for its dedication to conservation and responsible tourism. Dusek’s Few & Far itinerary not only supports rural communities in Kenya’s Masai Mara but also promotes rural female empowerment by employing women in tracking, guiding, and porter roles. Visitors will engage with the Mara Conservancy Canine Anti-Poaching Unit, gaining insights into how their travel contributes to the company’s conservation goals.

Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica

As a pioneer in sustainable tourism, Costa Rica aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral country and generates nearly 93 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Located in Guanacaste’s northwestern province, Peninsula Papagayo encompasses 1,400 acres of one of the largest dry tropical forests in Central America. This resort community prioritizes sustainability through a structured committee overseeing various initiatives, such as opening a childcare clinic and preserving archaeological sites. Notably, their home gardens project supports local families in cultivating vegetables and legumes on their land with drip irrigation, which is crucial in the dry climate. This initiative also provides produce to local restaurants, including those at the Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica.