Travel and sustainability aren’t two things that are often mentioned in the same breath. There are, however, several ways that you can be a more eco-conscious traveller. Picking the right destination is a great place to begin.
Where we holiday can help to lessen the impact we have on the planet. With a passion for all things sustainable, we thought we’d share the best eco-friendly holiday destinations, so you can see the world and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.
Slovenia
Home to the iconic Lake Bled, Slovenia is an eco-warrior’s dream. The country offers a diverse landscape to explore, with its snow-capped mountains, turquoise rivers, and stunning coastline providing a veritable treat for nature lovers everywhere. Slovenia’s Green Scheme ensures the highest level of sustainability. Via the scheme, hotels, and other service providers are actively encouraged to improve their sustainability.
Switzerland
There’s a lot to love about Switzerland. Its tranquil lakes, chocolate box villages and magnificent alpine scenes, not to mention its world-famous ski resorts, attract visitors from all over the globe. It’s also the happiest place on earth. In addition to this, the country ranks highly in the climate, energy and air pollution departments, which is why we’re including it in our rundown.
The country is clean, green and very eco-friendly and boasts some of the cleanest water in the world. Green accommodation is widely available throughout Switzerland, with everything from luxury boutique hotels to igloos getting the carbon-neutral seal of approval.
Belize
This little slice of paradise is home to countless eco-lodges. Based on the northeastern coast of Central America, Belize is made for adventure and bursting with culture. The country has an extensive jungle to explore. It’s also rife in Mayan heritage and home to UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belize Barrier Reef System.
Safeguarding the environment is ingrained into Belizean culture, whilst its commitment to protecting wildlife makes it a great place to appreciate all that nature has to offer. Here, Black Orchid Resort explains more about Belize’s relationship with local wildlife:
“The government recently established a wildlife corridor in the northeast to allow animals to freely migrate without endangering themselves or local villagers as well as strong conservation programs such as an offshore (manta) ray sanctuary and the world-famous jaguar sanctuary in the Cockscomb Basin. Best of all, according to Smith, is that Belize is still predominantly a rural country where beaches are relaxed and nature is allowed to flourish.”
Scandinavia
All five Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden – were ranked in the top 15 of the 2018 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), a report that rates nations according to their eco-friendliness. Denmark was the highest-ranking, charting at number three, with the country’s air quality a defining feature. Its marine protected areas were another reason for scoring well.
As well as exploring its mesmerising marine environments, beautiful coastlines and lovely beaches, the capital city of Copenhagen is a design haven and the epitome of Scandi cool. Colourful and creative, this city is effortlessly chic and cutting edge, while remaining oh-so-sustainable. Just don’t forget to pack those cosy accessories as it’s pretty chilly out there!