The Eco Traveler Best Sustainable Travel is Bleisure – Top 7 Reasons Why!
Last Updated on May 2, 2023 by Molly Egan
Sustainable travel is essential for several reasons. Most importantly, it helps reduce the negative impact of tourism on the environment, reduce carbon footprint, promote conservation of natural resources, and support local communities.
Being an eco traveler feels good and has the benefits of data from two different studies (read more about that below)—the cost and time savings of eliminating a longer or additional flight.
What is bleisure travel?
Business travelers who extend their trip to include leisure activities during their business trip is called bleisure travel. This is considered both extending their stay to explore the destination or taking a day off during their trip to enjoy the local attractions.
The pandemic and remote working trends have increased the frequency of this kind of travel. The value of this blended eco-conscious travel market in 2022 is $497.5 Billion.
Hotel chains are incorporating coworking spaces into their brands to support this eco-friendly travel trend. Evident in brands such as IHG Atwell Suites, Marriott Apartments, Sonder, and Accor’s Wojo.
Sustainable Travel Tips For The Eco-Conscious Traveler
Bliesure travel positively impacts local economies – a pillar of eco-conscious travelers – as business travelers who engage in leisure activities are likely to spend more money in the destination.
Traveling with a capsule wardrobe, reusable straw, and reusable water bottle are easy actions to support this.
Choose local products, environmentally friendly products, those created by renewable energy, fair trade, or local people. Be conscious of limited resources and support organizations supporting local residents and decreasing ecological and carbon footprints.
Why Eco Travel is Essential
Sustainability for the eco traveler is not just about recycling and reusing. The foundation of eco-travel is social justice, local economic development, social inclusiveness, and environmental integrity.
As the global conscious changes regarding environmental impacts, sustainable practices will be paramount for the tourism industry. The world tourism organization (UNWTO) has published various eco-travel or sustainable travel tips studies.
Top 7 Reasons Why Bleisure Travel is Eco-Friendly Sustainable Travel
Reduce carbon footprint by combining trips
Supports the local economy by staying longer
More efficient use of resources and services
It provides flexibility and reduces stress
Uses eco-friendly transportation
Reduces the need for additional infrastructure
Promotes work-life balance and reduces stress
1 Reducing Carbon Footprint
Bliesure travel can help reduce carbon emissions by combining multiple trips into one. Instead of taking two separate trips for work and vacation, a bliesure traveler can take one trip and visit various destinations, reducing the overall carbon footprint of their travel.
2 Supporting Local Economy
Both eco-traveler and bliesure travelers tend to stay in a destination for extended periods, allowing them to support the local economy by patronizing local businesses and services. Contribution to the sustainable development of a destination provides economic benefits while promoting local culture and traditions.
3 Efficient Use of Resources
Eco-friendly and bliesure travelers can also help reduce resource consumption by using the same accommodation, transportation, and other services for business and leisure purposes. It can lead to more efficient use of resources, such as energy and water, and can help reduce waste and pollution.
4 Flexibility
Bliesure travel can also provide flexibility in travel schedules and itineraries, allowing travelers to make the most of their time in a destination while balancing work and leisure activities. Reducing stress and improving well-being promote a more sustainable and responsible travel experience.
5 Lower Environmental Impact
Bliesure Travel can help reduce the environmental impact of travel by encouraging travelers to use eco-friendly modes of transportation such as public transit, biking, or walking. By using these modes of transport, bliesure travelers can help reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants associated with traditional transportation modes such as cars and planes.
6 Reduced Infrastructure Needs
When business and leisure travelers combine their trips (Bliesure travel), it can help reduce the need for different hotels, transportation, and other facilities that may be required if they take separate trips.
This can reduce the environmental impact of travel by minimizing the need for new construction, energy consumption, waste generation, and additional infrastructure in tourist destinations.
7 Promoting Work-Life Balance
Bliesure travel can promote work-life balance, which is beneficial for individual well-being and can help reduce stress and improve productivity.
Promoting a more balanced lifestyle, bliesure trips can help reduce the overall environmental impact of work-related travel by encouraging workers to take more sustainable and responsible approaches to their work and travel practices
Studies Prove Bliesure Travel Reduces Carbon Emissions!
A Global Business Travel Association study found that bliesure travelers tend to travel more efficiently and use fewer resources than those who take separate trips. They estimated that bliesure travel could reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to independent trips.
Another study by the National Geographic Traveler found that bliesure travelers tend to spend more time in a destination, which can result in a smaller carbon footprint per day of travel than those who take shorter trips.
Travel with Slow Intention
The exact carbon footprint saving may vary, bliesure travel can be an effective way to reduce the overall carbon footprint of travel and promote sustainable and responsible travel practices.
Traveling with slow intention means taking time to fully immerse yourself in a destination, connect with locals, and appreciate the journey rather than rushing to check off tourist attractions. Typically this involves eco-friendly transportation.
Bliesure is a form of slow and creative tourism as you reduce your carbon footprint and a new trend for tourist destinations. Typically this involves eco-friendly transportation and reduces environmental impacts.
Support Eco-Conscious Accommodations
Staying in hotels or resorts that prioritize sustainable practices and reducing their environmental impact while providing an excellent experience are eco-conscious accommodations.
There are many hotels (and hotel chains) that boast sustainable materials, being environmentally friendly, and providing a sustainable vacation. We have reviewed many of these eco-friendly hotels and found these to be the best sustainable hotels in the world.
Eco Friendly Luggage for the Eco Traveler
Eco-friendly luggage is the perfect companion for any responsible traveler looking to make a difference on their next trip. This luggage is designed to be environmentally friendly and sustainable, offering a solution to the problem of disposable, single-use travel gear.
This type of luggage is usually made from sustainable and recycled materials, such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled plastic, reducing travel’s carbon footprint – often featuring eco-conscious biodegradable or reusable packaging.
Eco-friendly luggage production minimizes waste and reduces environmental impact. By choosing this type of luggage, eco-travelers are demonstrating their commitment to responsible travel and supporting sustainable tourism.
Avoid Overtourism
Over-tourism refers to a situation when a high number of tourists overwhelm a destination, causing damage to the local environment and degrading residents’ quality of life. Eco-travelers avoid over-tourism to preserve the planet and support sustainable travel.
In the US, cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco are most impacted. Venice, Barcelona, and Amsterdam are the most affected globally.
Over-tourism negatively impacts the environment and the well-being of locals. It leads to overcrowding, increased pollution, and over tourism of natural resources. Eco-travelers are conscious of their impact and strive to preserve the environment and support sustainable travel.
Avoid over-tourism and travel during off-peak seasons, avoid popular tourist destinations, and opt for alternative accommodations. Eco travelers can support local businesses and engage in responsible tourism activities that benefit the community and the environment.
Find Places that Promote Sustainable Tourism
Places that promote sustainable tourism prioritize community engagement, conservation efforts, and eco-friendly practices, offering travelers unique and responsible experiences.
Visit Places That Need Your Support
All travel destinations can benefit from responsible and sustainable tourism practices. However, places facing environmental or social challenges, such as natural disasters, over-tourism, or economic inequality, may benefit from increased support through responsible and sustainable tourism efforts.
By supporting areas impacted by mass tourism, and destinations with limited economic opportunities destinations, travelers can contribute to their development and preservation while experiencing authentic and meaningful travel experiences.
Taking Public Transportation
Utilizing public transportation will reduce carbon dioxide, fossil fuels, and greenhouse gases by using fewer vehicles and mitigating climate change. Support sustainable tourism practices and interact with locals – experiencing the local culture can enhance the travel experience.
Sometimes public transit is not available, and car rentals are needed. If so, we recommend Enterprise and Hertz for their carbon offset programs. You can calculate your emissions – GHG baseline per mile is 404g of Carbon Dioxide per mile for the average passenger and varies by fuel type.
Buy From and Supporting Local Businesses
This is the most straightforward sustainable travel tips – promote local community and economy by buying local!
Local businesses often promotes more sustainable and ethical production practices, and prioritize environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Saying NO to single-use plastic
Bring a tote bag – don’t use plastic bags – a reusable water bottle (we love this HydroFlask water bottle), reusable straw, and a reusable cup! Avoid single-use plastic water bottles and plastic bags.
In 2018, the US generated 35.7 million tons of plastic waste, with only 8.7% (3.1 million tons) recycled and 91.3% (32.6 million tons) sent to landfills or incinerated per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Your travel choices can change the industry
The travel industry is aware of eco-travel and voicing its input on climate change, and is committing to reductions in carbon emissions and natural resources.
The UK National Library of Medicine published that a 20% – 26% reduction in air travel and 24% – 30% in car driving could be sustained through behavioral changes to support climate change commitments and lower carbon dioxide.
What is an Eco Traveler?
An eco-traveler is environmentally conscious and minimizes its environmental impact while traveling (commonly called eco travel).
An eco-conscious traveler preserves natural resources, supports local communities, promotes sustainable tourism practices, and uses low-carbon transportation options. Bliesure supports the pillars of sustainable travel.
What is Green Travel?
Green travel is tourism that aims to minimize the negative impact on the environment. It is similar to eco-travel and sustainable travel – prioritizing environmental and social responsibility.
Carbon Offset Programs
Carbon offset programs allow companies and individuals to invest and offset their carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy, energy efficiency, or reforestation projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in other locations.
Look at these Sustainable travel companies and carbon offset programs with Carbon Fund.
Difference between Greenhouse Gases, Fossil Fuel, and Carbon Dioxide?
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere and contribute to climate change.
Burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to the buildup of greenhouse gases.
What is lower-emissions air travel?
This is travel that has lower carbon emissions. A study published by Sage Journals found that estimates for flight alternatives labeled “Greenest Flight” found an impressive rate of sustainable travel willingness to choose lower-emissions flights – $200/ton of CO2e saved.
Businesses could annually save 79 tons of CO2e while reducing airfare costs by $56,000 through nonstop – lower carbon emissions – flights. This ‘save money’ statistic can also be used for the bleisure green travelers or leisure eco-traveler.
Watch American Airlines Vasu Raja discuss that half of the revenue in 2022 came from blended trips — a figure that has doubled.
Conclusion
Sustainable travel is a responsible and rewarding way to explore the world while protecting the planet and supporting local communities.
Bliesure Travel is the best sustainable travel tips – it encourages travelers to practice sustainable travel practices, reduces environmental impact, and supports the well-being of travelers and local communities.
