Sustainable travel is something a growing number of people are becoming more conscious of every single day, especially with overtourism affecting countries across the global.
In a recent report by Travel Counsellors, a travel agency based in Manchester, 45 percent of the 2,000 respondents said they are considering more sustainable travel options.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, travel expert Emily Coles shared that holidaymakers are no longer just thinking about the quickest ways to get from one place to another but are now considering their impact on the destinations they’re visiting.
She said: “Travelling across the country in a sleeper bus as opposed to a short-haul flight or opting for locally owned B&Bs rather than all-inclusive resorts are just a few of the changes I have seen in recent itineraries.
“This intrigue into new sustainable ways to travel has certainly sparked a shift in priorities when planning a holiday, which will ultimately result in stronger cultural relationships and improved support within local economies.”
With the year coming to an end, people are already starting to explore new destinations to put on their bucket list whilst trying to stay aware of their carbon footprint. Emily shared that sustainable practices when planning a holiday are “key to avoiding overtourism.”
She told Express.co.uk: “By promoting lesser-known towns and cities, travellers not only have the opportunity to truly immerse in foreign traditions and cultures, but it also means the money generated from tourism is being pumped back into local economies and supporting them.
“Whether it’s through eating at locally owned restaurants or shopping in small boutiques, choosing to spend time in areas other than the capital is mutually beneficial for both the traveller and the communities.”
The demand for cruise holidays is increasing, with people able to book right up to 2026. Japan and Montenegro are also destinations that travellers should keep an eye out for next year, according to the travel expert.
She said: “One place I had the pleasure of exploring this year was Montenegro, a destination that so closely mimics Croatia but has not yet become a tourist hotspot. The city of Kotor offers an array of historic beauty, and with the island ‘Our Lady Of The Rocks’ just a short boat trip away, there’s a truly captivating opportunity to stand on something built through the labour and love of a centuries-old tradition.”
For those wanting to make their travels more sustainable, the travel guru assured that it can be done on a budget “without sacrificing comfort” her main piece of advice was off-season travelling to save money and using public transportation to interact with “the local culture.”
She also debunked the main misconception of having to “give up comfort” for sustainable travelling, highlighting that’s not the case.
She shared: “It’s about making thoughtful choices, and many hotels now blend luxury with sustainability, making green choices accessible to all travellers.”
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