Sustainability has become something we think about on a day to day basis, from water conservation to recycling and upcycling, purchasing locally-grown groceries and investing in ethically-made clothing. Many of us are doing our best to be mindful of more sustainable practices at home, but it’s also something we should consider when we travel.

Tourism is a booming industry, especially after the lifting of lockdowns due to COVID-19. While this is beneficial in many places that suffered due to a lack of tourism, others are struggling to keep up with the demand – some to the point that over-tourism has become a major problem in many regards, including sustainability. So if you’re looking to plan your next vacation abroad and want a location with a focus on sustainability, then these are the places you should consider. 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica has long been one of the top destinations for green and sustainable travel. They have a goal to use only renewable energy by 2050, and so far they’re doing a great job at implementing strategies to attain this goal. Almost 93% of the country’s electricity is from renewable resources and 30% of the land is considered to be protected territory.

From volcanos to beaches, rainforests to jungles, and plenty of wildlife in-between, Costa Rica has so much to offer its tourists. Highlights include:

·       Arenal Volcano National Park: Home to the country’s best-known volcano and yes, it is active!

·       Ballena National Marine Park: Named after the Spanish word for whale, this is a conservation area and safe area for humpback whale migration.

·       Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge: One of the best places in the country for wildlife observation, especially bird watching.

Singapore

If your travel interests lean more towards city life than the wilderness and outdoors, then consider Singapore for your next vacation. Singapore has taken some drastic measures in recent years to become more sustainable. This has included incorporating nature into urban environments and investing in green infrastructure to become a ‘garden city’ with the goal of having green spaces within a 10-minute walk from every residential area. They have also made a number of policy choices to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While the country and its citizens are doing a lot to make sustainable changes on their part, Singapore has also integrated the importance of eco-travel and sustainability into their tourism program. This is very apparent at Gardens of the Bay, an iconic part of the city that’s a huge attraction with its Avatar-like ‘trees’. You can also join various tours discussing sustainability such as the Energy and Water Tour, Carbon and Climate Tour, Urban Wetlands Tour, Biodiversity and Ecosystems Tour, and more.

Valencia, Spain

Every year, a European city is awarded the European Green Capital Award, which recognizes destinations with an established and ongoing commitments towards sustainability practices along with better quality of life for residents and tourists. This year, Valencia, Spain was awarded this honor, making it worth your consideration if sustainable tourism is your goal.

Valencia is working to generate 100% of electricity from renewable resources by 2025, and many local markets and restaurants get their supplies from the nearby Huerta, or farming area, which reduces the carbon cost for both dining out and self-catering.  On top of feeling good about eating local, you can also take advantage of more than 200km of bike lines, as well as visiting two national parks on the edges of city limits.

Greenland

If you aren’t afraid of the cold and are looking to go a little off-grid, then Greenland might be of interest. Nuuk, the capital, became the first capital city in the world to be certified as a sustainable travel destination by EarthCheck in 2020. The country banned all future oil and gas exploration and is working to produce 100% green energy by 2030.

Greenland has worked hard to protect its environment by implementing important strategies to protect the environment, and that includes safeguarding tourism. In 2022, Visit Greenland ceased to support conventional cruise tourism. The country is currently preparing for a new international airport and has prioritized themes that support responsible travel, which include travelling beyond the capital, creating opportunities for visitors across all seasons, and of course, highlighting and promoting local products and businesses.

Hannah Logan is a Canadian travel writer who dreams of being just like Indiana Jones. You can follow her travels on her personal travel blog Eat Sleep Breathe Travel where she shares her travel tales and (mis)adventures around the world.

Hannah Logan is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.