What is Sustainable Travel?
I’ve never wished it to be summer so much. Winter has always been my favorite season, and fond memories of my family together at Christmas, sledding in the backyard, ruthless snowball fights, and that hot cup of cocoa after a long day of skiing still fill my head when I think of it. These memories certainly haven’t gone away or lost their luster; in fact, this winter’s blizzards have brought many snow days and even more sledding opportunities. So, what is it about this winter that’s made me want it to be over so badly?
My short answer to this question is: the cold. Although I’ve always loved winter, I never really liked the cold, and that negative feeling toward below-freezing weather has only grown exponentially as I’ve gotten older. Some days, I still pray that the temperature hovers around 32°F so that our sled hill won’t shrink, but most of the time I’d give anything for some warm weather. The reason for this sudden desire for warmth and sun, and the real reason I want winter to end? I just want to go outside.
On a summer day, I can wake up at the crack of dawn and bike down the road in pajamas and flip-flops. I can decide to go to the beach or lake any day to swim, paddleboard, kayak, or simply sit in the sun. Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic that’s kept us all locked up indoors is the source of this appreciation for the outdoors. Isolation from others has given me so much time by myself, as well as a greater sense of gratitude for the natural world. I’ve gotten a chance to take a step back from the clutter and chaos of daily life, the crashing waves of school, sports, friends, and insecurities constantly hitting the shore, and acknowledge the peace of the setting sun over the horizon.
As it turns out, I’m not the only one that’s grown fond of the outdoors during the pandemic. Barricading many from the comforts of jetting off to an all-inclusive, luxury resort with infinity pools and breakfast buffets, COVID has pushed us all to look local. This switch is best exemplified by my own family; in place of our planned international vacations, we’ve stayed home or taken road trips to hike upstate. Despite the initial disappointment that we couldn’t go where we planned, these road trips offered an intimate outlet to nature. The green canopy of tree leaves we walked under, rushing waterfalls we hiked next to, and cerulean lakes we swam in were just as magical as the world-famous monuments of France could ever be. Due to COVID-19, a new trend has arisen in the travel industry: sustainable travel.
Sustainable travel, as can be deciphered through its name, has many long-lasting benefits. First of all, the carbon footprint caused by the flights necessary for travel is greatly reduced. Secondly, while opting for local trips that keep you in touch with the environment is a prominent aspect of sustainable travel, this type of tourism can also be applicable for international destinations. Traveling sustainably involves caring for the culture, local people, and natural wonders of the places one goes to and often leads to more enriching, memorable experiences.
Even though the recent growth of sustainable travel has been largely due to the impacts of COVID-19, many believe that this trend is here to stay. From low-budget road trips to luxury expeditions, sustainable travel ranges from remote campgrounds to eco-friendly five-star hotels; either way, it’s a great way to improve our personal well-being while helping the environment.
Lincoln, New Hampshire at sunset: Taken by me on my trip in the summer of 2020.
Hiking in the White Mountains, New Hampshire: Taken by me on my trip in the summer of 2020.
A waterfall in Robert H. Treman State Park, New York: Taken by me on my trip in the spring of 2020.
