We all know that the world’s population is growing. In many countries, the middle class is growing, too, resulting in many more international travellers than ever before. As the number of people travelling increases, tourism puts even more pressure on the world’s cities, historical sites, and environment. This developing reality means that sustainable travel is more important than ever.
Children are the future, we should show them how to travel with the smallest impact possible on the environment, cultures, and sites they encounter. The following tips for sustainable travel with kids will help you and your family travel more responsibly.
1. Talk to your kids about the environmental impact of transportation, and then choose the cleanest ways to get around
Most children have a fascination with planes, trains, and other modes of transportation but have no idea about their environmental impact. To help kids craft a more sustainable trip, talk to them about how cars (and especially planes) release emissions that are harmful to the planet. Explain that trains, bikes, walking, or using public transportation are much better for the planet, and then choose together which clean modes of transportation you will use during your trip. Children as young as about five can grasp cause-and-effect situations such as this one, and understanding such logic for trip planning will help them grow into more responsible travellers.
2. Choose destinations wisely, and get your kids in on the process of choosing
When travel planning, take time to choose your destination carefully, and ask your kids for help – this will teach them about ethical destinations and make them feel invested in the trip. First, consider the destination’s human rights record, treatment of animals, and protection of natural areas. Learn more with the annual World’s Best Ethical Destinations list. Consider the time of year and how crowded the destination might be. Then, make a list of possible destinations and include the reasons for your choices and activities your family could do in each place. Present these options to your kids and let them help you choose – this will help them understand factors behind choosing travel destinations responsibly.
(Another option for family travel is to go with a travel company that runs trips designed specifically for curious kids and their parents – hint, hint. ~ed.)
3. Spend time in nature
Getting outside is so good for kids, and it helps them develop a lifelong appreciation for the environment. In fact, devoting travel time to the outdoors can be therapeutic for the whole family. Use those opportunities to teach kids about the importance of respecting nature by staying on trails, following park rules, not taking pieces of nature home, and not littering. When you visit state or national parks, explain why certain natural areas are protected and how people can support them.
4.Encourage your kids to practice conservation at home and on the road
Help your kids understand how the choices they make all day affect the environment, from water conservation to recycling and beyond. Then, when traveling, remind your kids to use the same conservation practices. Get kids excited about doing their part. Explain that these choices help protect the environment, both locally and globally.
5.Teach your kids basic rules to respect wildlife
One of the most exciting travel experiences is to encounter animals in the wild. However, all too often, these experiences are compromised by too many visitors disturbing the animals’ space. Teach your kids a few basic rules and be a good example by following those same rules yourself: make your presence barely known by using a quiet voice, don’t touch or feed wild animals, and don’t get too close. Never allow children to yell at or chase wild animals, and remind them that getting too close can lead to danger.
6. Don’t support unethical practices that exploit animals
Because kids love animals, they also love to visit zoos and aquariums, but too many animal parks around the world leave animals in abusive or unsafe conditions. Before supporting such a place, do some research to find out if it supports animal conservation and education.
7.Respect cultural sites
Historical sites around the world are being damaged from a combination of the pressure of tourism and lack of conservation. Remind your kids that in order for these places to survive for future travellers to enjoy, it’s important to follow some common sense rules: don’t touch or climb on monuments, don’t take flash photos in museums, don’t litter, and don’t take anything from a cultural site.
8.Support local business
One way to help tourism be sustainable is to support local businesses while you are travelling. From small B&Bs and family-owned restaurants to artisan shops and markets, there are many opportunities to choose local businesses and reject corporate influence around the world.
9.Get off the beaten path
One of the biggest problems with tourism is the overcrowding of the world’s most popular cities and sites, such as Venice or Machu Picchu. Inspire kids to think about travel not as a way to check off a list of must-see sites but instead as a way to experience a culture.
Choose off-the-beaten-path places where you can connect with locals and learn about local traditions. Not only will your family enjoy being away from some of the crowds, you will also come away with a stronger connection to the people and their culture.
This doesn’t mean you should not visit your dream destinations, though. When visiting a very popular place such as Venice, go in the off-season, stay in a local neighborhood, spend time with local people, volunteer, and choose lesser-known sites.
10. Make smart food choices while traveling
The way food is grown and processed has a big impact on our environment, but we can make responsible food choices while travelling. By going to local markets, choosing organic and local products, and eating at small family-owned restaurants, we can enjoy local food traditions and feel good about our choices. This also gives our kids an understanding of how food traditions and ingredients reflect the local culture and the seasons.