Sustainable Travel

In today's interconnected world, you no longer need to embark on a harrowing or backbreaking journey to reach remote, off-the-beaten-path destinations (no matter how far away or how exotic they may seem). In reality, if you are willing to spend the time (and sometimes the money) you can reach practically any place on this planet.

And while this is great for those of us who want to explore those rather remote locations, in many ways this interconnectedness can also lead to many negative side effects. Especially when it comes to the impact on those once-pristine lands. Fortunately, there are ways to help. Enter sustainable travel.

Sustainable travel encompasses a lot of different things - from how you actually travel to what you do while there. Below you will find helpful tips and tricks as well as guides on how to be a more sustainable traveler, both while at home and abroad.

some background information

\\ 5% of total carbon dioxide emissions are caused by tourism-related transportation, with airplanes being the biggest emitter.

\\ Overtourism, defined as "the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or quality of visitor experiences in a negative way" aka overcrowding as a result of an overwhelming number of visitors to a specific location. Popular spots dealing with this today are Amsterdam, Machu Picchu, and Bali.

\\ More development means more environmental degradation, which in turn means increased habitat loss for animals, increased loss of natural resources (especially water), increased air pollution and increased amounts of garbage (mainly plastic).

\\ 90% of ocean plastic is derived from land-based sources, with the biggest travel sector offenders being plastic water bottles, disposable toiletries, plastic bags and bin liners, food packaging and cups.

how do we travel & still do good for the planet?

Luckily, around 83% of people worldwide believe sustainable travel is important and something we should push towards. The only problem? An overall lack of education and resources. Hopefully, this is where Backroad Packers comes in.

I want to educate you on how to continue (or start) traveling without making a negative impact on the places you are exploring. Traveling more sustainably, more mindfully, and more slowly allows you to see the world, have unforgettable adventures, and make lasting memories without making lasting negative impacts. And being a sustainable traveler doesn't have to be a challenge, in fact, when you get down to the core of it, it is really just about making small, simple, affordable changes.

Hopefully, with the help of my guides & tips you can easily become a more sustainable traveler yourself.