4 Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for Responsible Travellers in 2021

The restrictions over the past year gave us all a chance to reflect on what we can do to make our travels more eco-friendly and responsible. At Hayes & Jarvis, we believe travel is a force for good, as it gives us a chance to learn about other cultures, see the world from another perspective and give back to the communities we visit. But it is also important to consider the impact travelling has on the sustainability of the planet.

We believe eco-friendly travel should be the standard, not the exception, which is why we want to make it easy to travel more responsibly in 2021. Simple changes such as where you go, how you get there and where you stay can have a big impact. 

We’ve compiled our top four tips for experiencing an incredible holiday while protecting our planet for future generations.

Stay closer to home

One of the simplest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is by flying less. You can achieve this by choosing destinations that are closer to home, or opting for one longer trip each year, instead of multiple short trips. Luckily, there are many incredibly diverse and inspiring destinations just a short flight from the UK. Our 14-day Arctic expedition exploring Iceland and & East Greenland under the glow of northern lights begins in Reykjavik, just a three-hour flight from London. 

Or venture three hours south and you’ll be transported to Morocco, for our Marrakesh to Essaouira tour exploring Morocco’s souks, hammams and colourful coast. 

Costa Rica Wildlife Tour

• 9 Days
• from £3,999 PP

Go back to nature with this amazing tour that will enchant you for the spectacular scenery and exotic wildlife. The…

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Adventure holidays

Look for sustainable hotels

Many of the hotels we visit have been recognised with Travelife Sustainability certification for their various green initiatives from energy efficiency, waste management and safe working conditions to community involvement and customer relations. By staying at these hotels you are directly reducing your environmental impact while benefiting local communities. We hope that our continuous efforts to promote sustainability will encourage more hotels to improve their eco-friendly initiatives and strive for gold-standard certification.

Support green destinations

Visiting destinations that are leading the way in responsible travel and carbon neutrality is an easy way to make your vacation more eco-friendly. National Geographic’s 2021 sustainable destinations list puts tropical paradise Costa Rica at number two thanks to its wildlife protection programs, carbon-neutrality goals and commitment to long-term sustainability. Immerse yourself in misty cloud forests, volcanic peaks and dramatic waterfalls on a 9-day luxury escorted Costa Rica Wildlife Tour.

Or explore America’s wild west, on a 9-day jaunt through energetic Denver and the rugged American Rockies. With a goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2023, the outdoor adventure playground capital earned fourth place on Nat Geo’s list.

Pick an eco-friendly travel tour

We’ve worked hard to find the best eco-friendly travel operators, so you can enjoy exploring the world knowing you’re treading lightly on the Earth. From rainforest retreats in Thailand to luxury rail journeys through South Africa, we offer a range of luxury eco-friendly tour options for an unforgettable holiday experience.

We’re proud that we’ve been able to contribute over £100,000 to support important water, health and sanitation projects in Bolivia, Uganda, India and Kenya through Just a Drop. Thanks to your support, over 6,000 people in local communities have benefited so far and we look forward to supporting more important projects like this in the future.

Speak to our destination experts about making your next dream trip as responsible as it is unforgettable.