What will be the eco-travel trends of 2021 ?

Going green is no longer optional after what we lived this year... The great climate revolution is underway and travel in particular is under the microscope. One of life’s best rules of thumb can be applied in ecotourism to great effect: do less, do it better. But with a world of wonder to discover and more travel temptations than ever on offer, once the earth is on the move again, how do we make our holidays more eco-friendly ?

What will be the eco-travel trends of 2021 ?

For some food for thought, we bring you 2021’s biggest eco-travel trends…

The Road Less Travelled

To combat the damaging impact of over-tourism, choose locations and travel times that fall outside of peak popularity and overlook crowded tourist traps in favour of discovering cool new gems and hidden wonders waiting to be explored. The school holidays are obviously a logistical nightmare for avoiding the crowds, but do you need to follow the hordes to your usual coastal bolthole, or would the kids prefer a week camping (or glamping, should you rather) on the Welsh border?

Get Outdoors

Speaking of camping, Camping Signature collection is one of the most eco-friendliest ways to enjoy a luxury holiday. Camping typically uses far fewer resources than any other type of accommodation (particularly true off-grid camping) and with the demand for more eco-friendly holiday options, there are more camping and glamping options than ever.

Slow Travel

Sustainable travel is all about resisting the urge to cram as many trips as possible with micro trips and long-haul hops and spend longer in your chosen destination really getting to know the place. Opt for a cycling tour over taxi rides, or make the journey to your destination part of the trip with a luxe train journey or boat trip. Think fewer, more immersive holidays per year rather than whirlwind visits to multiple destinations.

Live Like a Local

Once you’re on holiday lower your carbon footprint during your stay by avoiding imported foods, souvenirs and other imports and do your best to ‘live like a local’. Visit restaurants with farm to fork and zero waste practices rather than those that fly in ingredients from all over the world. There are even ways you can give back to the local community you’re visiting, whether it’s by taking part in a Pack for a Purpose initiative, where you use some of your luggage allowance to carry vital supplies to areas in need, or joining in with local conservation or beach cleaning schemes in between sun worshipping sessions.

Tourism for Good

As greener travel becomes increasingly important, the big players in the industry are leading the way. Preferred Hotel Group, Inc has announced the launch of new sustainable hotel brand Beyond Green. Launching with a global portfolio of 24 founding member hotels, resorts and lodges, sustainable tourism will be at the heart of everything it offers. Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotel Group, Inc said: “Never before has there been a greater need to promote a kinder and gentler way to explore our beautiful, yet fragile planet. Driven by our brand promise, Believe in Travel, which guides every decision we make as a company, we believe that now is the time to go big and be bold as we look to the future of travel.” Beyond Green Travel founder Costas Christ said: “Sustainable tourism is not about giving something up, it is about gaining something more – a great vacation that it is also a force for good.” Beyond Green celebrates its launch in collaboration with 24 founding members located across 15 countries globally.

And it’s not just Beyond Green. More and more tour operators are promising to ‘give back’ to offset the damaging effects of tourism. Look for those going above and beyond carbon offsetting (surely there’s a limit to how many trees can be planted to negate our travel habits?) and seek those making a true, measurable impact on the communities and environments they are a part of. Red Savannah has launched Green Savannah to hammer home its eco initiatives, which include sponsorship of the Rainforest Trust UK, while Natural World Safaris launches Expeditions for Change, a new series of philanthropic safaris.

The Future: Carbon-Positive Hotels

For the ultimate in feel-good travel, seek the places making a real impact on how we use and produce energy. Svart in Norway’s Arctic Circle is set to open in 2022 as the world’s first energy-positive hotel, consuming 85% less energy than a traditional hotel and positioned within a circular design to exploit the sun’s energy no matter the time of day or season, with Norwegian solar panels cladding the roof, produced using clean, hydro-energy. Now to find a carbon-positive way of getting ourselves there in time for the opening…
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Inspired to go green ? Check out our green destinations and resorts getting it right here.

OUR HOTELS COLLECTION

VISION Destinations | December 20

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