Why Sustainable Travel is Having Another Moment

Let’s be honest—when you hear “sustainable travel,” you might still picture a dreadlocked yogi meditating in a bamboo hut, surviving on kale smoothies and good intentions. But the truth? Eco-conscious travel has gone totally mainstream, and people are loving it. From carbon-neutral city breaks to plastic-free beach resorts, travellers discovered a long time ago that saving the planet doesn’t mean sacrificing fun. In fact, it might just make your trip better than ever.  

The Numbers Don’t Lie (and neither does Instagram)  

Turns out, travel and a conscience make a great pairing. According to JollyHoli’s latest booking reports, 76% of travellers want to go greener, and nearly half are willing to pay extra for it. We found that many site visitors eyeball eco-options when planning trips—proof that “sustainable” isn’t just a buzzword; it’s permanent travel trend.  

But here’s the update, people aren’t just tolerating it—they’re enjoying it. Why? Because sustainable travel ditches the factory resort experience for something far more memorable. Think farm-to-table feasts with local chefs, wildlife safaris that fund conservation, and homestays where you’re welcomed like family not a walking ATM.  

The Joy of Not Being a Tourist  

Let’s face it no one wants to be that traveller. You know, the one leaving a trail of plastic bottles and cultural trinkets in their wake.

Sustainable travel lets you sidestep the cringe by sleeping somewhere with a story. Swap generic chain hotels for a solar-powered Eco lodge or a restored heritage house. 

Eat like a local and skip the buffet and join a cooking class where your farm-to-fork meal was literally picked that morning. Food tastes better when you know it didn’t torpedo the planet.  

Bragging rights: Nothing feels as good as casually dropping, “Oh, our holiday funded reforestation” when having dinner back home. 

But Wait-Is It Actually Fun and what are the benefits?

Sceptics might grumble that is sounds like a lot of work. But here’s the secret, sustainable travel isn’t about deprivation, it’s about upgrades.  

Slow travel: Rushing through 10 cities in 7 days is certainly exhausting, basing yourself in one place and exploring deeper is bliss and of course there are fewer Uber trips.  

Unique experiences: Snorkelling in a marine reserve verse fighting for poolside chairs at an all-inclusive.  

Good karma: Knowing your vacation didn’t wreck the coral reef or exploit locals, that’s priceless.

The Elephant in the (Recycled, Non-Plastic) Room

Of course, it’s not all rainbows and poor toilet paper. Challenges exist, some hotels slap eco-friendly on their website because they once thought about using LED bulbs, so remember to do your homework.  

Cost: Yes, some sustainable options are pricier but others like trains over flights or street food over fancy restaurants do save cash.  

Start small Bring a reusable water bottle, take one less flight and congrats you’re now greener than a good number of other tourists.  

Pick one splurge and book a stay at a certified sustainable hotel or join a conservation focused tour.  

Laugh at yourself, If you accidentally order the dreadful mystery zero-waste dish and realise it’s just part of the adventure.  

The Bottom Line  

Sustainable travel isn’t about perfection, it’s about making choices that feel good and doing good. And guess what? When your trip supports local communities, protects wildlife, and leaves destinations better than you found them you will discover that joy can sometimes run deeper than a cocktail by the pool.

So next time you plan a getaway, ask yourself, could this trip be epic and also ethical? Now go forth, tread lightly, and enjoy the bragging rights.  

---