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You love visiting far-off countries, witnessing unique cultures and their ways of living, exploring beautiful places and trying out new cuisines. But there is a whole community of people who are taking their love for travel to a higher level by responsibly travelling and ensuring that they reduce their carbon footprint. Meet conscious travellers who contribute in more ways than one by staying in eco-friendly accommodations, saving water by reusing towels and much more. On World Environment Day, let’s take a cue from them…
‘Travel and tourism is responsible for 11% of the world’s carbon emissions’
Talking about the growing trend of sustainable travel, Mallika Sheth, Co-Founder, Tealfeel, a conscious luxury travel company, says, “Global awareness about the environment and climate change is growing and hence its manifestation is being seen in almost every industry. Travel and tourism is responsible for 11% of the world’s carbon emissions. Therefore, it is not surprising that travelers are slowly but steadily becoming aware of the impact of travel on the environment. Booking.com’s Sustainability Report 2023 also indicates that 76% of travelers want to travel in a more sustainable way.”
She adds, “It’s great to see that 65% of travellers said they would feel better staying in a destination with a sustainable certification and almost 75% of travellers look for authentic tourism and cultural activities, with many interested in learning about local cuisine. This shows that travellers are looking for more engagement with the local community during their trip.”
‘The principles of recycling also apply to sustainable travel
Sheth explains how it starts from a basic level and says, “Of course, as humans, we are all conscious of doing the ‘right thing’ in our daily lives like stopping the use of plastic bags, plastic bottles, we are recycling, preventing food waste and conserving water among other small measures. The same thing now applies to travel – we visit places where others are doing the hard work of environmental protection and wildlife conservation. By visiting these places, we get a first-hand experience of what the “right thing” is.”
She explains how the demand for it has grown. “When we started the luxury travel design company in 2018, we had not heard much about sustainable travel. A lot has changed since then. On the supply side where hotels and lodges are delivering more than what is required of them to meet green certification norms and on the demand side customers are accepting that awareness while travelling is important and it is leading to conscious indulgence and consumption.”
‘Today more and more hotels across India are focusing on sustainability’
Speaking up for local, she points out how India is a big player in this scenario, “Today, a conscious traveller is more aware of the options available when planning a holiday and puts effort into finding and choosing destinations, accommodations and activities that meet conscious travel criteria,” she says. “Across India, whether in big cities, small towns or forests, there is a growing number of hotels that focus on sustainability. We see a lot of this in nature-based destinations such as the jungles of India where wildlife conservation and protection is of utmost importance and is done by the lodges in collaboration with local forest officials.”
Sheth added, “Many large and boutique hotels have made sustainability more than a priority. They grow fresh produce locally thereby reducing movement of goods and raw materials, they hire local talent and nurture them through education and training, they encourage and promote local artisans and artists by showcasing their art, they highlight local cuisines through curated menus, they protect water sources, among other sustainability measures.”
Couples who’ve been there, done that
Travelers make it a point to choose experiences that are in line with sustainability in travel. And tents are a perfect solution in this case by allowing a natural footprint, creating a way to get closer to nature.
According to homemaker Neeta Manek, my husband and I’s annual travel plans always include staying in a tent in Manali in North India. “We feel this saves energy and reduces waste, which reduces the impact on the environment to a great extent.”
Corporate Executive Rajiv Mehra says, “The Northern Lights were on our bucket list, as it is for many people. In Finland, we stayed at lodges that are preserving the planet without us even knowing. One lodge in particular stood out. We visited Javri Lodge in Saariselka where we learned about their sustainability and green certifications and everything they do every day to protect their beautiful surroundings. We felt great to be a part of it.”
Muffazal Lakdawala, a doctor by profession, said his holiday in the jungle was a lesson in eco-friendly travel. He says, “On my recent trip to Ranthambore, I was lucky to see the wildlife I had come to see, but I was also impressed by how a hotel blends in with its surroundings. Aman-e-Khas, an ultra-luxury tented lodge, did a great job of balancing luxury with sustainability. There, they grow most of their own fresh produce, harvest rainwater and take pride in their recycling and composting measures. They are truly immersed in nature. You won’t find immaculate lawns and flower beds here. The samba deer munching on leaves within the property are a clear indication that there are no real boundaries between nature and you. The hotel also provided us with a guide who taught us the nuances of the jungle.”
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