Surfing in Gran Canaria? Camping in Holland? Hiking vacation in Austria? At the beginning of the year I pondered where I would like to go in my two weeks off at the end of May. I didn't want to go too far – but I couldn't make up my mind. "Not too far away" – that has meanwhile taken on a completely different meaning and I am glad that I hadn't booked anything when the Corona crisis arrived in Europe.
Long-distance travel is likely to be difficult this year. We may be allowed to travel in Europe. But where and under what conditions is not yet clear.
Most will therefore choose to go on vacation in Germany. As a result, the demand for domestic tourism offers is likely to be huge – at the same time, the capacities are limited so that hygiene rules can be observed. The federal states will decide separately what is possible and what is not.
Time for sustainable tourism in Germany
One thing is certain for me: if at all, then a vacation in Germany. Even if I hadn't planned this for my two-week vacation, it doesn't sound bad. There are many regions in Germany that I have never been to and that I would like to discover. And I had resolved anyway to pay more attention to sustainability when traveling. This is now all the easier if long-distance travel is no longer necessary.
But what does sustainable travel mean anyway? According to the environmental database: “Tourism is considered sustainable if it enables all resources to be used in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be met, and at the same time cultural integrity, essential ecological processes and biodiversity be preserved. ”So it's not just about the environment and nature, but also about supporting the local culture and social conditions.
Getting there can be the biggest environmental sin
So I make one of the most important decisions when choosing my holiday destination – and the way I get there. Travel and departure account for 75 percent of CO2 emissions from travel. Flying (40 percent) is the most significant, followed by driving (32 percent) and bus and train with just three percent.
Apart from the fact that many traffic routes are currently only of limited use anyway, it is a good decision to choose a travel destination for which you do not even have to travel all over the country. The shorter the journey, the lower the emissions. The most environmentally friendly way is to travel by bus or train – but if everyone goes on vacation in Germany, it could get quite crowded and this in turn can lead to tense situations due to the risk of corona infection.
Therefore I will keep the journey as short as possible – or maybe switch to the car. This becomes more environmentally friendly than flying, especially when several people are traveling.
You can calculate how much CO2 emissions your arrival and departure causes, for example at Ecopassenger or at "klimaneutralhandeln.de".
More about mobility and sustainability:
Travel should promote local environment and culture
Those who do not harm the environment and culture act sustainably at the holiday location – and instead promote the region with a trip there and with the behavior there. In its report on the tourist climate footprint, the WWF writes, “Travel can have a positive impact on the region and local people. Tourism offers the opportunity for natural economic development and makes natural habitats valuable. ”This affects three things in particular: the choice of accommodation, meals and activities at the holiday location.
The column "Save the world in small steps"
The climate on earth is changing. Our dealings with the planet and its resources have contributed to this. If we still want to save the earth, we have to rethink – in large as well as in small.
That's why in this column we take on a consumer theme every week and ask ourselves: Is that also more sustainable? We want to reflect on our own behavior and maybe give you one or the other impulse.
You can find all the episodes of our column here.
Do you also have experiences in everyday life on the subject of sustainability, for which you may not have found the right answers or advice? Then write to us at [email protected]. We look forward to your ideas!
Find accommodations that adhere to sustainability criteria
So far I have unfortunately never done this – but for my vacation at the end of May I decided to consciously check my accommodation for sustainability. But how?
There are tourism seals and booking sites that specialize in sustainability. On the "Book it Green" website, for example, you can find hotels, farms, campsites, holiday apartments and private rooms in different countries and filter them according to criteria such as "by the water", "nature", "city" or "mountains". "Book it Green" has defined various sustainability criteria, which concern, for example, catering, cleaning, energy supply or waste prevention. Only accommodations that meet at least four of these criteria are listed.
Other websites that you can use to book your holiday in Germany sustainably or find accommodation are "Viabono", "Wirsindanderswo.de" or "Feel Good – Sustainable Travel in Germany". At the "Forum Different Travel" you will find accommodations, travel destinations and tour operators that are committed to sustainable tourism. “Atmosfair” also provides an overview of dozens of tour operators that fully or partially offset their trips with CO2.
And if you don't want to book online: There are more and more travel agencies that specialize in sustainability – you may find one near you.
Explore the holiday region on foot and by bike
With everything you want to do at the holiday location, you can always ask yourself: Do the activities fit the conditions and the local weather? Skiing in spring-like temperatures with artificial snow is certainly not good for the environment – just as little as a golf course fits into the desert.
You will not find such extreme examples on vacation in Germany. Still, it doesn't hurt to keep that thought in mind.
I also set out to make my transportation as climate-friendly as possible and to explore the holiday location on foot or by bike as best I can.
You can find hiking tips here, for example:
You can find good tips for cycling:
And of course, you should be respectful of the landscape and animals everywhere – and properly dispose of any garbage that arises.
Enjoy regional and seasonal dishes
If you want to go on a sustainable holiday, you should also eat regional and seasonal food if possible. The consumption of regional, ecological products is not only good for the environment – it also supports people and their work on site. And there are delicious regional specialties everywhere that are worth trying.
More about nutrition and sustainability:
Environmental seals help with orientation on site
There are an infinite number of aspects that you can consider if you want to travel sustainably. Some seals offer support in the search and orientation:
- "TourCert" – this seal is awarded to tour operators and accommodations that are particularly environmentally friendly and socially responsible.
- "ECOCAMPING" – the seal of this association receives particularly resource-efficient operated campsites. You can also find a Corona camping blog on the website
- “European Ecolabel” – this seal also helps on vacation and identifies products – for example in hotels and other accommodation – that have a lower environmental impact than conventional ones, such as household and other electrical appliances, building materials and textiles.
- "Viabono" – Viabono not only lists sustainable accommodations, but also certifies accommodations, restaurants and travel service providers that act in an environmentally and climate-conscious manner with a sustainability seal.
- "Blue Flag" – this seal distinguishes particularly sustainable beaches, bathing areas and sports marinas, which are examined annually with regard to water quality and environmental management.
And another tip: Try to avoid printing out travel documents as best you can. Local and long-distance transport tickets can be loaded into apps; booking codes or identity cards are often sufficient for accommodation. And instead of buying thick travel guides and cycling and hiking trail maps, you can save travel tips online and, for example, download an offline map to your mobile phone on Google Maps.