Sustainability is a growing concern for consumers, with more of us voting with our wallets than ever before. The travel sector is no exception, but as one of the industries that is most often vilified for its impact on the planet, how can travel companies make the industry greener? There are already changes taking place in travel and tourism, aiming to combat the emissions that travel can bring with it. These are some of the initiatives that businesses are adopting that we’re likely to see more of in the future.
Carbon offset programmes
If you fly often, your carbon footprint will be significantly increased by the travel alone. But some businesses are offering carbon offset programmes that give passengers the option to invest in carbon reduction projects, which are designed to neutralise or reduce the carbon footprint caused by travelling. There are numerous airlines around the world who are offering travel offset programmes to opt-in to when you book your travel, but there are also independent programmes that travellers can sign up to directly.
Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is something that more businesses are adopting, and it’s even found its way into the cruise ship industry. Many cruise lines have been working on improving the efficiency of their fleets, increasing the number of energy-efficient alternatives where possible. This includes LED lighting, connecting to shore power when in port to reduce unnecessary emissions, recycling heat on board using tinted windows and incorporating solar panels to utilise renewable energy on the ship.
COMPARE PRICES FROM LOCAL INSTALLERS
Compare prices from local companies fast & free
Enter your postcode to compare quotes from leading professionals. We promise to keep your information Safe & Secure. Privacy Policy
Luxury travel tech for smarter travel
In the luxury travel market, innovation is in full swing, not least because there’s more financial freedom to experiment. Smart tourism is designed to enhance the standard travel experience, creating opportunities for automation and bespoke offerings that speak to the affluent traveller. Using technology to up-level the journey, while tending to the unique needs of each individual, smart technology is something that more and more travel companies will implement in the future.
For example, luggage can be automatically transported to hotels without the traveller needing to collect their bags at the airport, removing a touchpoint and creating a more seamless journey, while everything from dietary needs and religious preferences to language barriers can be taken care of with connected tech.
Sustainable short-term lets
Airbnb has been the leader of the short-term rental market for some time now, but companies are starting to build on their success with a sustainable twist. Fairbnb is a virtual meeting place for guests and property hosts to connect, focusing on sustainable tourism rather than profits. The goal is to build communities and help neighbourhoods make short-term rentals more sustainable and encourage more positive, ethical forms of authentic travel that don’t hinder local areas.
Virtual tours
Not all tech innovations when it comes to sustainability are about going green – some are focused on minimising the need for travel. Virtual tours are cropping up around the world, enabling people to see attractions such as the Berlin Wall without needing to visit them directly. These tours bring to life these attractions, along with interviews and historical information, creating a well-rounded experience. But it’s not limited to attractions. Hotels can use this to inform people who are curious about areas of cultural significance in the local area, or those who want to learn more about the ecology and wildlife. It’s ideal for sustainably minded tourists who want to know more but don’t want to disturb natural habitats.
AI solutions tackling over-tourism
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has the potential to make massive changes in tackling the climate emergency, not least in the travel sector. Over-tourism is a major issue in destinations such as Venice, and one of the most effective ways of combating this problem is with AI technology and Big Data. This technology can be used to monitor and alleviate bottlenecks using real-time data 14/7. It collects this data using sensors on public transport and can be implemented on a broad scale in the future to make destination management much easier and more efficient.
Final thoughts
It’s clear that the travel industry is moving in a sustainable direction, and while the journey won’t be easy, innovators are charting the course and moving this previously carbon-heavy industry to a more environmentally friendly place. Travel-loving consumers are starting to take note of the importance of sustainability, and it’s clear that they have a vested interest in making eco-friendlier choices.
By Daniel Groves
