There are many ways to enjoy an environmentally conscious holiday while still exploring far-flung corners of the world, from giving back to the communities you visit to choosing sustainable providers when planning your trip.

For this year’s World Tourism Day, UNWTO focused on the need for better green investment in the tourism industry, which includes promoting sustainable, responsible, and universally accessible travel.

Natalie Quiney, Content and E-commerce Manager, at Co-op Holidays, says: “Holidaying sustainably means being mindful of our carbon footprint, supporting local economies, and respecting the cultural heritage of communities around the world. By making some small changes to how you travel, the impact we have on the destinations we visit can be significantly reduced.”

To help holidaymakers consider how they can travel more consciously, Natalie has shared her top five tips:

1. Choose sustainable hotels and cruises

When planning your travel experiences, opt for accommodation and cruise providers that prioritise sustainability.

Increasing numbers of accommodation providers are choosing to employ energy-efficient technologies, minimise waste, and support local communities. Travellers can often check their sustainability policies on their websites, which should highlight whether the hotel or cruise has been certified by credible organisations, such as The Green Globe Certification, enabling you to check before you travel.

By making this part of your reason for choosing your accommodation, you can contribute to responsible tourism practices that reduce your environmental impact while on your holiday.

2. Engage in conservation efforts

While exploring new destinations, keep an eye out for opportunities to engage in conservation efforts or even consider making this the focus of your trip.

Many locations around the world offer activities such as wildlife rehabilitation, coral reef protection, and rainforest reforestation. By weaving these activities into your holiday itinerary, you can contribute to the well-being of a country’s ecosystems and local communities, as well as enjoy a truly unique experience.

3. Immerse yourself in local communities

One of the most enriching aspects of travel is connecting with local cultures and communities, and the best way to do this can be by interacting with local people and businesses.

From trying local cuisine, participating in cultural activities, and working on community projects, you could gain a deeper understanding of your destination while also contributing to its economic well-being.

At Co-op Holidays, we offer a range of touring holidays in partnership with local providers that are focused on immersing travellers within the communities you visit. This includes working with regional partners to discover adventures that allow you to join locals in cooking their regional cuisine using home grown ingredients, visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites to learn more about the history of different regions, and much more.

4. Go paperless with documents

Embrace the digital age of travel by opting for paperless documents, including electronic boarding passes, travel itineraries, and e-tickets whenever possible.

This can help reduce the need for printed materials, helping to save trees and reduce waste.

Additionally, it can make your travel more convenient and efficient, allowing you to access essential information right from your phone.

5. Look for a provider who gives back

Choosing a travel provider who gives back can lead to more responsible and sustainable travel experiences, benefit local communities, and contribute to the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

At Co-op Holidays, for every passenger that travels we donate to our charity partner, Go Beyond, and plant trees via our sustainability partner, Ecologi. Ecologi operates Gold Standard or Verified Carbon Standard carbon reduction projects across the world, including reforestation, with a tree planted for every passenger that travels on a Co-op Holiday.

To date, we’ve planted almost 11,000 trees for our passengers to help offset their carbon footprint and taken over 100 children and young adults on trips through Go Beyond so they can enjoy new experiences. This means that by choosing Your Co-op Travel, our members can be part of doing good together.