According to Green Key Global, 68% of tourists prefer to book eco-friendly accommodations while traveling, but what exactly is sustainably-conscious travel? Follow along for four ways you can reduce your carbon footprint while traveling.
Getting around
Offset your flight related emissions by selecting alternative methods of transport on the ground. Instead of taking a solo vehicle trip to the airport, hop on the train or bus, or take an electric car to the airport. Upon arrival at your destination, use a ride-share service or public transit to cut down on your carbon footprint.
Many hotels offer their guests exclusive use of house bicycles for getting around, such as Fairmont Pacific Rim’s electric bicycle program. Better yet, set out on foot to discover all the unique details a city has to offer that might be missed if traveling by car.
Reduce and reuse
Do your part to reduce your plastic usage on your travels by packing reusable coffee mugs, water bottles and shopping totes. Say no to plastic straws, plastic bags and packaging wherever possible. Hotels that use paperless check in and check out or that communicate via text and phone about important hotel details cut down on needless paper usage. Ask for your final folio to be emailed instead of printed.
Contribute locally
A big part of sustainability is a commitment to the local economy by making sound choices about where you shop. Give the big box store a pass and check out a local shop, gallery or farmers market selling artisan goods or locally grown produce.
Conserve
What conscious choices are you making when dining out or grabbing a cocktail? Be on the lookout for no-waste establishments, and opt to skip the plastic straw. Ask for locally-produced wine wherever possible. Check in with your sommelier about the best local, sustainable and organically grown options and support a family-run business while enjoying the local fruits of their labour.
Seek out establishments that support best practices for environmental conservation and ocean protection. Did you know that Fairmont Pacific Rim has reached its last straw? As of August 16th, 2022, we are proud to announce we have eliminated all single-use plastics in our guest journey. You will see some of the changes to our key cards, small bath amenity bottles, water bottles, and food and beverage takeaway containers. Not only do these practices help protect our environment, it is also a great way to contribute to reducing unnecessary waste.
The city of Vancouver has an ambitious goal of becoming a zero-waste community by 2040. Simply by choosing to travel here, you have contributed on an individual level towards this goal.
To learn more about how Fairmont Pacific Rim became a more sustainable hotel click here.
