Eco Travel Trends: Top Green Destination You Can’t Miss

When planning your next vacation, it is a good idea to choose a destination that is committed to protecting the country and its people. Sustainable travel means high environmental standards, social redistribution of tourism revenues, and respect for human rights. The world needs more travellers to be sustainable and reduce their carbon footprint on the planet. Green travel starts with finding an ethically correct travel destination. To help with your travel planning and to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we put together six green destinations for you.

Netherlands

While the Dutch national colour may be orange, the Dutch pride themselves on green initiatives. The country is working hard to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions, improve waste management and clean up its rivers. Since 1989, the Netherlands have a National Environmental Policy Plan in place. It’s not surprising that a country known for its windmills is a leader in renewable energy. Trams and subways run on green electricity, canal boats use natural gas and other sustainable fuels. The Netherlands has more than 35,000 kilometres of bike paths. City trips and sustainable tourism; it may seem a strange combination; however, Amsterdam is an ardent supporter of cycling, the city has more bikes than people. Due to their high CO2 emissions, airplanes do not have a reputation for being eco-friendly. Therefore, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is working hard towards a policy that is as sustainable as possible.

Hotel Tip: At Hotel Haarhuis an award-winning, farm-to-table experience awaits you at atmospheric LOCALS restaurant. Enjoy high-quality Dutch dishes with vegetables from the hotel’s own Vertical Farm and locally produced ingredients.

Singapore

Singapore is Asia’s greenest city due to its ambitious environmental targets and its efficient and innovative approach to achieving them. It sets the standard amongst other cities with the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint, which outlines the country’s national vision and plans for a more sustainable Singapore. Experts in technology, urban design, and city planning collaborate to re-think traditional ways of doing things and to devise ways to protect the environment for future generations. Solar will be the most reliable renewable source given the country’s year-round tropical climate.

Hotel Tip: Luxurious hospitality and eco-consciousness go together at Carlton City Hotel Singapore, Singapore. The hotel encourages its guests to reduce their ecological footprint and to be part of their environmental-friendly practices, such as reusing their linens and towels, maintaining a recommended room temperature and minimizing waste.

Sweden

Following Australia, Sweden was the second country in the world to introduce an ecotourism charter. They are currently on position #1 on the Besides its breath-taking nature, Sweden is known for its ambitious environmental awareness. Sweden is a pioneer when it comes to electric mobility. Its CO2 emissions are below the European average. The fact that the Swedes care about nature is also evident in the nature reserves and urban gardening. Sweden’s waste balance is particularly exemplary: 99 % of all waste is /recycled or further processed. In many Swedish towns’ tourists find E-busses and stations where bicycles can be hired. Sweden also set up ‘Nature’s Best’, Europe’s first eco-label. It assures the quality of tours run by eco-certified tour operators around the country. Stockholm is one of the greenest cities in the EU and the first EU city that won the European Green Capital Award in 2010.

Hotel Tip: Nestled in the trendy Södermalm district of Stockholm, NOFO Hotel combines charm and sustainability. The hotel minimizes single-use plastic, utilizes eco-friendly cleaning products, and emphasizes local, organic food in its restaurant. NOFO also promotes eco-conscious travel by encouraging guests to explore the city on foot or by bicycle.

Australia

In Australia the issue of sustainability has grown exponentially over the past decade. The country has recently stepped into action and devised plans to reduce the impact on the environment and to adopt practices that use resources sustainably. One of Australia’s top-rated attractions, the Great Barrier Reef is severely damaged in places, because of environmental pollution or climate change. A heat wave in 2016 and 2017 destroyed almost a third of the reef, Australia invests 500 million to restore damaged coral reefs, improve water quality and combat aggressive starfish. The “biggest investment” of its kind in Australia’s history should secure the reef’s future.

Hotel Tip: Stamford Plaza Sydney Airport, Sydney, Australia uses solar power units on the hotel roof, LED and motion-sensor lighting in the hotel’s public areas, back of house and in the car park. They changed the hotel’s cooling unit refrigerants to more energy-efficient and less environmentally damaging materials and replaced and upgraded old air conditioning units to more energy-efficient units.