A New Guide To Sustainable Travel Reveals Why Positive-Impact Adventures Have Never Been So Important, Forbes

There’s been a lot of talk through the pandemic of travel ‘coming back better’. More people seem to have had a genuine realisation about the devastating effects of our travel habits – namely, the impact of over-tourism, ‘thoughtless’ travel and the frequency of flying. The fact that many of us have had to ‘pause’ our exploring for over a year, has meant that we have been able to actually witness some of the world’s beauty spots without the presence of swarms of tourists, and seen how the inherent wildlife in these places have flourished without us being there. In short, when travel resumes again, there’s hope that tourists will give more thought about their impact on the planet. 

But how many of us actually know what this means in reality? Do we really understand how we can effectively put this desire into practice?

Travel expert and writer Holly Tuppen has pondered the issue a lot. Back in 2008 she embarked on a 20-month around-the-world-without-flying adventure, which cemented her interest in sustainable travel. On her return, she began to work for no-fly platform Green Traveller and was editor of Green Hotelier. In addition, as communications manager at the International Tourism Partnership (ITP), she helped to shape corporate social responsibility strategies for the world’s largest hotel chains.

A specialist in the field, she has now written a new book – Sustainable Travel: The Essential Guide to Positive-Impact Adventures (published on 22 June, £18, White Lion Publishing). The title provides travellers with everything they need to know to make more sustainable, responsible and ethical choices to ensure their travel experiences do more good than harm. 

As well as explaining topics, such as what slow travel means and how to pack responsibly, the book also reveals the world’s best regenerative travel experiences and tells you how to go about travel in a more sustainable way. “When it comes to travelling responsibly, there’s no quick win,” Holly says.”This book is not all glossy, like many other travel title. I raise some hefty questions. Sustainability is complex, and we need open debate and mindful actions to progress.”

Here, exclusively for Forbes, Holly Tuppen delves more into the subject of the book and the passion behind it.

Is it an oxymoron to say ‘sustainable travel’?

We are slowly realising that travel can be sustainable, but only if we acknowledge that there isn’t time or space for unlimited growth. For several years, I’ve struggled with this tension. On the one hand, travel brings inspiration, creates connections, and can renew people and places. On the other, it undermines local lives, causes environmental damage, and has become an unrelenting commodity. 

Rather than battle it, I’ve come to accept this lurching between the highs and lows of travel. It keeps me in check and encourages me to challenge. It stops me greedily jumping on a plane at every opportunity and helps me to embrace doorstep adventures. When I do get on a plane, it drives me to make it count by supporting the change-makers and telling their story; since tourism was knocked sideways by Covid-19, this is more important than ever.

Read the full interview by Angelina Villa-Clarke on Forbes here.

Sustainable Travel can be purchased on all major retailers including Bookshop.org.