Sustainable Travel: The Evolving Landscape Among Bloggers
As the world becomes increasingly aware of its carbon footprint, many tourists are beginning to question the environmental impact of traveling. Travel bloggers are promoting greener travel options, ensuring that sustainability is at the forefront of their content.
Flight shaming (or flygskam, as it originated in Sweden) was not a common topic when many established bloggers first entered the scene. Instead, there was pride in having a passport filled with stamps—proof of an adventurous lifestyle. However, the conversation around travel has shifted, especially since 2019, a year that marked a reckoning with climate change realities.
A Niche Becoming the Norm
Eileen Cotter Wright from Pure Wander shares, “I used to lead with the jet-setting lifestyle in my blog, taking off from the U.S. to Asia for a week without a thought to my carbon footprint. I’ve grown to realize there are better ways to see the world.”
Similarly, Lia, who transitioned from a full-time traveling lifestyle to a more sustainable home base, emphasizes the importance of offsetting flights to mitigate their environmental impact. “I’ve been trying to travel less and stay more rooted. I’m planning to offset all of our flights this year,” she explains.
Making ‘Little Changes’ Matter
Green Global Travel has long promoted eco-travel since its inception in 2010. Co-founder Bret Love emphasizes the importance of making “lots and lots of little changes” in daily life to address sustainability rather than guilting travelers into altering their habits.
Various bloggers are encouraging these small changes across different niches. Marielena from Epic 7 Travel advocates for eco-conscious products like canvas bags and metal straws, while Cris from LooknWalk emphasizes vegan options in her European travel guides, raising awareness about their environmental effects.
A Social Travel Platform
Melvin Boecher from Travel Dudes describes his approach as both informative and practical: “We are not an environmental blog, but whenever it fits, I’m happy to point out the environmental perspective.” This highlights the diverse viewpoints within the travel blogging community regarding the balance between travel enjoyment and environmental stewardship.
An Evolving Industry
Travel bloggers hold considerable power as influencers in the travel industry. They engage with readers in a way that traditional media outlets often do not, creating opportunities for real change. Lia notes, “If I don’t talk about sustainability, I’m going to get pushback. My audience holds me accountable for those decisions.”
As the influence of travel bloggers grows, they can inspire shifts towards more sustainable practices across the industry. By sharing stories on traveling less, choosing local options, and adopting eco-friendly habits, they educate their audience on responsible travel.
Travel can broaden perspectives and contribute to positive change in the world. However, it’s essential to approach it consciously, with an understanding of the environmental impact that comes with it. Emphasizing sustainability will help travelers make informed choices as they explore the globe.
