Traveling and hotels are an essential part of the travelling experience, whether you’re on business or vacation. But what many travellers don’t realise is that staying in hotels can have a negative impact on the environment. According to Sustainable Travel International, tourism is responsible for 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. This is due to various activities such as plane flights, boat rides and buying souvenirs. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your hotel stay.
One of the best ways to cut down on hotel costs is to book your accommodation well in advance. This will ensure that you get a room at your preferred hotel and avoid the high prices during peak season. Additionally, booking early can also help you secure discounted rates.
Aside from saving on hotel rooms, advance bookings will also save you time and effort during your trip. Travelers with special needs like pregnant women or elders should make their bookings in advance to avoid having to walk around a city looking for accommodations. Similarly, those with children should do the same to avoid having to find babysitters on short notice.
Unlike online booking sites, a travel agent has the advantage of being able to negotiate with hotel suppliers. This can result in exclusive promotions and perks that are not available on the internet, says Richter. In addition, travel agents are able to anticipate expenses such as meal and resort fees, and tourism taxes that can eat into your budget.
In addition to saving on hotel rates, advance bookings will allow you to explore more of the local area. If you’re staying at a hotel in a less desirable neighbourhood, there are often local restaurants that serve cheaper meals. In addition, renting a local apartment rather than staying at a hotel can give you a more authentic feel for the community and culture of a place.
While traveling can be an exciting and educational experience, it can also be a stressful one, especially for families. The stress of navigating unfamiliar territory can lead to a decline in health and wellness. To combat this, it’s important to incorporate healthy and nutritious food into your diet and to practice mindfulness during your trip.
Traveling can also be an excellent opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone. This can be done by trying new foods, activities or even languages. In addition, traveling with friends or family can help relieve stress and improve overall mental health.
Lastly, it’s important to keep track of all your expenses during your trip. There are a number of different expense tracking tools that can help you manage your spendings and prevent overspending. Using these tools will help you stay on top of your finances and avoid any financial surprises when you return home. In addition, by setting a daily spending budget, you can be more mindful of the money that you’re spending and make smarter decisions about where your dollars are going.