Why going green overseas is more important than ever

Shalyn Klauer (left) and I supporting local families in Cambodia by eating in their home restaurants.

Many have heard the quote, “Take only memories, leave only footprints.”  This quote is the reality of current travel- on one hand tourism brings economic success to the area but on the other hand it often diminishes the beauty that that location once held.

In an article by Nicki Vargas, founder and editor of the popular blog The pin the map project, Vargas discusses sustainable tourism.  Her list of tips on how to practice greener travel are listed below.

• “Aim to minimize your impact on the local environment by recycling, avoiding litter, being conscientious of your water use, electricity use, etc.

• Support small businesses by buying from local artisans and shops rather than chain retailers.

• Get to know the destination you are visiting, connect with locals and in turn you’ll be inspired to respect the local culture and customs.

• Educate others about sustainable tourism! Use social media and your respective blog to highlight destinations, local communities efforts and spread the word about greener travel.

• Consider group tours that support local communities and support a destination.

• Likewise, consider hotels that are eco-friendly and make an effort to minimize their impact on the local environment.

• Collect remaining change and local currency from your trip and donate it to a nearby cause,” Vargas says.

I experienced the benefit of practicing sustainable tourism firsthand while in Battambang, Cambodia.  In Cambodia many of the businesses, hotels, and restaurants have been taken over by immigrants and bought from the Cambodian people.  My study abroad group and I made an effort to stay at the few Cambodian owned hotels left in the country and eat at the local people’s restaurants out of their own homes rather than the chain restaurants.  My favorite meal of the trip was the traditional Khmer meal I ate on mats spread out on the floor of a local family’s home.

Travel is a beautiful thing that should be treated as such and as tourists, we can help keep the world greener by taking small steps to practice sustainable travel.

Click here to take The pin the map project in partnership with United Nation’s pledge to practice greener travel.