From Rennes (France) to Skopje (Macedonia), I decided to opt for green travel. More than 2500 kilometers travelled by trains and buses. Five countries crossed into Europe. Foreign mountains, plains, cities discovered. New people and new cultures met. Culinary specialities tasted… Sounds interesting? We’re gonna talk about it.
As technology and infrastructure improve, the world seems to be getting smaller. The ability to travel the world is becoming accessible to more and more people as the cost of getting to another country is getting cheaper. But the travel industry is the second-fastest growing industry in the world. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, 8-10% of global CO2 emissions are caused by the travel and tourism sector, with the majority of these emissions being created by the travel to the destination, especially because of our choice of the means of transport, plane. As global climate change becomes a real issue and travel continues to grow, our awareness of what green travel is and how to travel in an environmentally friendly way also needs to increase. We need to change the way we travel!
There is already an increased demand for sustainable travel options. A recent survey found that 72% of travelers are concerned about the environmental impact of their travel. This is up from 62% in 2019. As more people become aware of the impact of tourism on the environment, the demand for sustainable travel options is expected to continue to grow.
Green travel is about choosing ways to travel that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. The more significant way to minimize the impact of travelling is to care about the transport portion, which is often responsible for at least 70% of the carbon emissions of a trip. Two possibilities. Either reduce the distance travelled by choosing a closer destination from where you live. Or, if you really want to go far, choose low-emissions means of transport such as train, bus, car-pooling but also bike or feet. Avoiding planes is the strongest way to protect the climate.
Green travel is about changing our way of travelling, so it can be connected to many terms like sustainable travel, ecotourism or conscious travel, but all of them follow the same narrative: minimizing the impact on the local environment and communities.
Green travel is about enriching travel experiences. Sustainable travel offers a chance to go beyond surface-level exploration. It invites us to immerse ourselves in local communities, engage in cultural exchanges, and create lasting memories. By embracing sustainable practices, we unlock authentic and transformative travel experiences that leave a positive impact on both visitors and residents.
All of these ideas deal with the concept of slow travel. Slow travel is more like a mindset where you have to give time back to time. Choosing a slower mode of transportation allows you to enjoy the landscapes along the way, discover new places and cities, and perhaps even stop somewhere you hadn’t planned to visit. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find. There’s no need to rush, going too fast means you risk missing out on some truly beautiful experiences.
Choosing alternative ways to travel often comes with its challenges. Most of the time, it’s more expensive than flying. But maybe it’s time we stop thinking only in terms of speed and cost, and start asking what the journey itself can offer us. Finding an itinerary can be frustrating: there’s no single platform, so you have to check tickets one by one, match connections, and piece everything together yourself. It takes time. But maybe that’s the point – slowing down, exploring differently, and letting the journey become part of the destination.
Our relationship with time is often shaped by urgency, always trying to do more in less time. But what if we shifted that perspective? What if taking more time meant living more fully? By slowing down, we create space to notice, to connect, to appreciate. Whether it’s in how we travel, eat, or spend our days, choosing to take our time can be a powerful way to reconnect with what really matters.
Green travel is maybe more than just environmental considerations. It also includes a total change of perspectives. It’s about learning to travel differently. Change our relationship with time and accept that it is long to travel. This is how the journey becomes a real part of travel.
Youna Léauté-Guillet
Sources:
https://www.greenpeace.fr/voyage-ecologique/le-tourisme-responsable/
https://www.gstc.org/what-is-sustainable-tourism/?lang=fr
https://earth.org/eco-friendly-travel-exploring-sustainable-tourism/
https://fairbnb.coop/blog/sustainable-tourism/
https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/green-travel https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/how-tiktok-is-changing-travel
VOICES 
Leave a comment