Check whether the accommodation facility has an environmental certification, a guarantee of sustainability.

Certifications indicate that the performance of the tourist facility is environmentally positive, as they adopt strategies to respect the territory and its inhabitants.

There are different types of environmental certification all around the world! Click on the illustration to discover the main ones listed by country. You can save this image to help you recognize these labels on future trips!

If the facility is not eco-certified, find out about the good sustainability practices adopted, which may cover not only aspects strictly related to respect for the environment, but also to the value chain: energy saving, waste management and reduction, sustainable sourcing of products and supplies, water saving, and green services.

Follow the directions given to you during your stay: staff and signs displayed in the facility will show you how to reduce the environmental impact of your stay.

Bring your home eco-habits with you!

Preserve water by taking short showers and adhering to hotel linen reuse programs to reduce water and energy consumption.
Minimize your energy use and turn off all lights, heat/AC, and TV when you leave your room. When in use, keep the AC at a moderate temperature, maintaining a reasonable 6°C difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures.

Why? Integrating these habits into your travel routine demonstrates a commitment to responsible tourism: it contributes to preserving your destination environment and the well-being of local communities. It will contribute to reducing the carbon footprint overall.

When possible, choose plant-based and raw menus.

Industrial livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the beef sector (due to the famous “cow farts” that emit methane).
Vegetarian meal : 0,51 kg CO2e/meal*
Chicken meal : 1,35 kg CO2e/meal*
Beef meal : 6,29 kg CO2e/meal*

*Source : ADEME, 2018

Avoid food waste.

Ask for a doggy bag (if you are not traveling with containers) and take your leftovers to feed you at the next lunch!

As a customer, try to ask about the food’s traceability.

When possible, ask the chef where the product comes from, if it has an organic origin, who are the producers they work with, etc.

Try to prioritize restaurants with a food offer that relies on authenticity and is based on kilometer zero, local, seasonal or organic products.

While exploring traditional foods, you will actively contribute to reducing CO2 emissions associated with food transportation and processing. You will uphold the culinary heritage and the diverse local productions that compose it, and bring back home new recipes!

Travel with some food and water containers, such as that funny eco-bottle your brother brought to you from his last trip. That way, if you want to take away a coffee, you won’t use disposable material like one-use glasses!

Do not eat with your eyes! Don’t ask for food you won’t be able to eat. In a buffet, for example, measure how hungry you are and do not fill your plates if you’re not going to eat everything.

Drink tap water when possible and avoid plastic bottle.

Take your time and honor the ‘sense of place’!

As we said before, it’s all about travelling longer to reduce the overall carbon footprint associated with your journey. This also allows you to fully enjoy your time on site! The sense of place is natural, scenic, and cultural assets that retain and enhance destination identity and distinctiveness.

By immersing yourself in the place visited you will learn to know your destination in depth: by rediscovering the diversity of its landscapes, as well as its local historical, cultural and gastronomic heritage. There are a multitude of ways to enjoy the sense of place and preserve it during your stay: visiting a local farmer’s market and meeting the growers of your food, or trying a farm-to-table meal; seeking out experiences that are owned by or employ underrepresented communities are examples.

Why? Retaining destination identity lessens the need for extensive travel infrastructure, promoting sustainability. The diversity of unique places encourages responsible tourism, contributing to lower overall carbon footprints in travel.

Choose low carbon activities

Not the type to spend hours with a good book in the sun on vacation? Don’t worry, there are plenty of environmentally-friendly activities to keep you busy!
– So forget about highly polluting motorized activities such as jet-skiing or safaris in a thermal four-wheel drive.
– In cities, prefer activities such as walking tours, local gastronomy testing, explore the surrounding area by bike etc.
– By the sea, there’s a wide range of activities on offer : windsurfing, surfing, sand yachting, kayaking, pedal boats, kite surfing, sailing, paddling, snorkelling… No time to get bored!
– Snowshoeing to discover nature, climbing or cross-country skiing for a bit of speed, discover the mountains in a different way!
– Craft workshops, visits to farms and vineyards, birdwatching, discovery of edible wild plants, bike rides and, of course, the famous hike… the countryside is full of original activities!

Walking and biking sustainably

Follow the marked paths and respect local regulation and guidelines. This information is often available through official tourism websites or visitor centers. And of course do not leave rubbish lying around during excursions. If you do not find the appropriate bins, bring the waste home.
It will help minimize soil erosion, vegetation damage, and other negative impacts on the natural fauna and flora you will discover.

Unique souvenirs!

Of course your great aunt will love this kitschy magnet made in China, but you’ll score even more points with a locally-made, handcrafted object !

Purchase locally made souvenirs and pay a fair price! When shopping, honor local customs, immerse yourself in the local culture and listen intentionally to local community members
Why? You will reduce carbon emissions by minimizing transportation distances of your purchases. You will also support the local small business and craft, and possibly preserve traditional know-how. And you will bring back home special and unique souvenirs.

Choose local guides!

They know their environment inside out, and will be able to tell you as much as possible about the history and the culture of the place. They also know better on the local environmental, economical and social issues and will help you understand how to behave respectfully within the visited community. In a nutshell, they’re real goldmines when it comes to knowing how to minimize your negative impact and maximize your positive one!

If you choose to do outdoor activities, listen carefully to your supervisors during tourist activities! They know what to do to make sure the activity runs as smoothly as possible, not only for you but also for your environment. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions about the specificities of the local environment!

Be curious!

Ask the reception staff at the sites you’re visiting about the best practices they’re putting in place, and how you can do your bit on that site. As a visitor, you also have the power to raise awareness among the professionals you meet! Why not recommend taking a look at the ATRE project tools?

Be on the lookout for potential labels held by the tourism service providers you choose! They can be your guarantee of their responsible commitment. In France, for example, tourist guides can be certified by Qualinat, a label guaranteeing you a safe, high-quality service that respects the environment in which you are traveling.