Responsible travel tips
1
Travel Tips Responsible travel is all about leaving a positive impact on not only the environment, but also the people who live in the places we choose to visit. The result being not only a more ethical and responsible trip when it comes to travellers’ impacts, but also a more authentic, exciting and culturally immersive one for them too. Here is a quick guide to some of our top tips on how to be a responsible traveller.
2
During your hotel stay Don’t overfill your plates at the buffet. A large amount of food gets thrown out on a daily basis. Help reduce food waste and take smaller amounts to begin with.
Eat local and vegetarian. Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to global emissions and it takes up a tremendous amount of resources, from land to water.
Participate in the hotel’s towel reuse program whereby your towel is not washed every day. Hang them up after each use to show you want to reuse them.
Close the windows before turning on the air conditioning or heating system in your hotel room.
Turn off your computer, TV and lights when you leave your room to save energy.
Take a shower rather than a bath. It will save so much water. And take any leftover soap, shampoo or conditioner provided by the hotel with you.
Refill your water bottle. Water bottles can be filled with tap or filtered water. 50% of all our hotels have filtered water in place. In some places where it’s not recommended to drink tap water or you are not able to find water refill points, the most reliable method to purify water is by boiling it using the kettle in your hotel room.
Choose to spend your holiday in a hotel engaged in responsible business practices and eco-labeled (e.g. Green Key label), which indicates the outstanding hotels in the field of environmental responsibility.
Leave the “Do not disturb” sign on the hotel door so that the housekeeping team won’t clean your room every day. It allows to save water, electricity and avoid the use of cleaning products.
3
On the move Don’t fly first or business class. Booking first class is worse for the environment than flying economy since first-class flyers take up more space in the cabin and consume more on board. This results in higher emissions per passenger.
If you need to fly, choose airlines that use renewable biofuels. Further information can be found at alternativeairlines. com/biofuel-airlines
If you need to book a flight, select the carbon offsetting option. Your emissions will be compensated for by contributing to tree planting, renewable energy or conservation projects.
If the airline you chose does not recycle, keep your rubbish and throw it in the appropriate bin once you are off the plane.
Try to book non-stop flights as takeoffs and landings account for most of a plane’s carbon emissions.
Keep your boarding passes on you phone rather than printing them.
4
Pack light! It will help your back and to reduce emissions.
If you have to drive, rent an electric vehicle as it produces less emissions.
Travel by land whenever possible e.g. take a high-speed train.
Try to walk/cycle whenever possible. It is the best way to enjoy the surroundings!
Do not use taxis or Ubers, use public transportation instead.
If you want to travel by tour, select eco-friendly travel companies.
5
Activities during your travels
6
Always read labels before buying a product to avoid favoring nonsustainable products and items made from endangered species.
Get informed on the waste disposal system in the country you visit to recycle correctly.
Support small local shops, seeking out indigenous artisans. You will help the local economy while acquiring a very special souvenir.
Avoid animal experiences. People often abuse and exploit animals for profit.
If you go hiking, always stick to marked trails to avoid harming flora.
Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.
Avoid places suffering from overtourism. You can have more fun, benefit the local economy and avoid harming a country, all at once.
Learn the customs and traditions of the country you visit. You will avoid awkward situations and you will feel enriched.
Do not litter or remove objects from the natural environment.
Contribute to a recognized aid organization such as SOS Children’s Villages rather than giving local children money or gifts.
Only volunteer if recognized local organizations ask for help.
Visit more environmentally sustainable countries. You will support an economy that does good for the world.
7
Tips for avoiding waste
8
01
04
Avoid buying new clothes for travel. The fashion industry is the second largest polluting industry in the world.
Share sustainability tips you learned while travelling with friends and family.
02
05
Pick up litter when you can, both on land and in the sea/ ocean. Small actions can make a big difference.
To lower the environmental footprint, drink tap water when possible and carry your reusable water bottle, rather than buying plastic bottles.
03
06
Refuse plastic straws when ordering drinks.
Ensure that you’re prepared with reusable items, e.g. your own water bottle, reusable straw and reusable bags. You’ll create much less waste while traveling.
Making a difference Radisson Hotel Group has a long history of being a responsible business. We are passionate about caring for others, and that extends beyond our hotels. We believe in conducting business ethically in all we do, and we want to be a thriving,sustainable, and responsible business for people, communities, and the planet. Our employees live Responsible Business every day: at home, together with their hotel colleagues, and in their local communities, where they work on building better futures and a better planet for all. For more details on our Responsible Business program visit
radissonhotels.com/cares 9
Discover our global portfolio of more than 1,100 hotels at radissonhotels.com #RADISSONCARES
10