5 minute read
Sustainable Travel - Rare Magazine
Your Useful Guide To Sustainable Travel Options
by: Daniella: Schoeman
Diamond Beach Nusa Penida Island Bali, Indonesia
R.M. Nunes
-Dave Hollis
As travelers, we have a deep love for the beautiful earth we find ourselves on, and the need to see more of it is why we wander. It is up to us to ensure that this world not just survives but thrives. Unfortunately, the term environmentally-friendly travel is somewhat of an oxymoron. Truthfully, staying at home is the best way to reduce our carbon footprint. But travel is one of the greatest pleasures in this life and, when done right, can be beneficial to local populations. Not only does travel open the mind, but it enhances compassion and understanding while teaching us important life lessons.
So, instead of staying put to save the earth, a better idea is to adapt to how we travel in order to lessen our impact. As a collective world, we’ve come to truly understand the meaning of freedom after it was taken away from us during the global pandemic. Never before has all of society been so acutely aware of the fine line between freedom and captivity. With worldwide travel restrictions and severe local lockdowns, humanity is yearning for freedom. We want to move, to explore, to experience and to truly live.
But as eager as we are to return to our wandering ways, it’s vital for us to consider the implications. While this pandemic has affected us negatively, it has had a positive effect on our environment. With the restriction of our movement, the earth has had time to recover. For the first time in decades our skies are clear, pollution has been reduced, waters are clean, and wildlife is re-emerging. How can we ensure that during our return to normal we make the choices that are best for our earth? We focus our attention on greener and more sustainable ways of travel, ones that allow us to see this beautiful world while still reducing our carbon footprint.
Sustainable travel, otherwise known as ecotourism, is a way of traveling that boils down to being aware and conscious of your choices. By making simple choices that only slightly affect the way you travel, you can effectively lessen the negative impact your presence would have on a given destination. Individual choices may only make a small difference in the bigger picture, but when we collectively become more conscious, these little personal choices can have a massive cumulative impact. This guide will provide you with useful tips and alternatives on how to become a more responsible and sustainable traveler.
Positive Luxury Accommodation
Another aspect of tourism that has a considerable effect on the environment is accommodation. Many hotels and resorts offer luxurious escapes for travelers. But at what cost? Such comfort, convenience, and luxury tend to have a negative impact on the environment and local communities.
However, as the importance of ecotourism becomes more apparent, the industry has begun to adapt. For example, SALT of Palmar is an innovative new hotel that opened in Mauritius in November 2018, marking a positive change in the industry. For an island that hosts more than 250 resorts and is heavily affected by tourism, SALT of Palmar is a breath of fresh air. The small 59-room hotel feels more like an intimate boutique hotel than a resort. Happiness and sustainability are at the heart of their mission and every aspect of your experience at SALT of Palmar attests to those values.
SALT of Palmar was created for conscious travellers as they believe in meaningful travel that connects you to people, not just places. As with other hotels that are managed by the Lux Collective, SALT of Palmar has a Tread Lightly program that gives back to environmental charities and causes for each guest that stays with them.
The hotel has subtly replaced all single-use plastics in such a way that you barely even notice the difference. Bathroom amenities are neatly packaged in limestone paper or stored in ceramic containers, all of which are locally produced. Upon arrival, guests are gifted with reusable water bottles and are able to fill their bottle up with cold water at various stations throughout the property.
All food at the hotel is organically grown at their nearby hydroponic farm or sourced from local suppliers. You also won’t find any buffets at SALT of Palmar as buffets result in too much food being thrown away, and the meals at SALT of Palmar are designed to avoid that. Much of the menu is inspired by Mauritius cuisine and each order is made fresh by the talented team in the kitchen.
Guests can enjoy the large eco-friendly rain showers which save water over bathtubs. Each room is also stocked with locally made reusable slippers as well as bathrobes made from coffee beans.
There are no TVs in the rooms. Guests are encouraged to spend time in nature, enjoying the beach and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. And when you reach your room after a rewarding day of fun and relaxation you will fall asleep easily on the large Carpe Diem beds designed by physiotherapists.
For culturally curious travelers, there are skill swaps available where you can learn something new from a local such as cooking traditional chicken curry. SALT of Palmar truly is an example of what is capable with Positive Luxury.
Thanks for checking out this preview. In the full article we detail trustworthy options for offsetting your carbon footprint when you fly.
Get the full article along with these features:
* Guide to sustainable travel * How cannabis is transforming the wellness industry * The exceptionally rare Jane Elliot * Freedom against dog breed discrimination * The art of Dameon Priestly * How to: Zoom-friendly make up * Life after lock down * Our meticulously-curated BLM playlist * Viva Africa decor * Bringing the outdoors in: green architecture * Using plants in your decor * Spotlight on chef Dominique Crenn * Will you care about their freedom? * The right to live your complete truth without fear * Spotlight on artist Ron Hann ...plus all our regular sections. Get the latest issue now.
