First, What is Sustainable Tourism?

Sustainable tourism is all about preserving destinations’ and their nature, culture, and history for future generations to enjoy. As more travelers explore the world each year, adopting sustainable practices becomes even more crucial.

Sustainable tourism means considering the economic, social, and environmental impacts of travel, both now and in the future. It’s about meeting the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and local communities.

Why is sustainable tourism so important? By embracing a sustainable approach, we can mitigate the harmful effects of over-tourism, support local communities, protect natural resources, and become more conscientious travelers.

It’s important to recognize that sustainability can look different around the world. What works in Italy might not be the best fit for other countries. When traveling, it’s essential to respect and empathize with diverse approaches to sustainability.

Ultimately, each local community must decide what’s best for its culture, nature, wildlife, and more.

Are you ready to become a more sustainable traveler? Collectively, with these adjustments, we can make a measurable difference.

30 Tips for Sustainable Travel in Italy

1. Request/book eco-friendly hotels. Ask your travel advisor or hotel if they have credible eco-friendly certifications. Look for LEED, EarthCheck, Green Key, B Corp, or Green Globe.
2. Reuse your hotel towels and sheets. Hanging towels is a sign that you’d like to reuse them.
3. Ask if your hotel recycles. If it does, inquire if they separate recyclables from waste bins.
4. Take unfinished hotel toiletries with you since they are typically thrown away. The plastic bottles can be reused in the future.
5. Adjust the thermostat. Lowering the temperature by a few degrees in the winter or raising it by a few degrees in the summer will save a lot of energy.
6. Take showers instead of baths.
7. Stay longer in your destinations and embrace the art of slow travel.
8. Opt for off-season travel to avoid contributing to overtourism.
9. Add under-the-radar regions and towns to your itinerary.
10. Opt to walk wherever and whenever you can.
11. Consider biking and using public transportation whenever walking isn’t an option.
12. Use Rome2Rio or the Citymapper app to plan your journey around public transportation.
13. If you need a car, rent a hybrid or electric vehicle to reduce your carbon footprint.
14. Utilize trains to travel long distances versus flying.
15. Along the Amalfi Coast and Ligurian Coast, the ferry systems are convenient for traveling between towns.
16. Before booking your flight, check if the airline has any carbon offset programs or other environmental initiatives.
17. Choose e-tickets instead of paper.
18. Fly direct.
19. Pack as light as possible.
20. Pack reusable clothing that can be washed by hand.
21. Consider packing multi-purpose toiletries.
22. Pack a BPA-free reusable bottle that can be refilled throughout your journey.
23. Avoid single-use plastic bags by packing a reusable bag to carry while shopping or for other uses.
24. Chose to shop and eat at small businesses.
25. Shop family-owned stores and food stalls and purchase artisanal crafts straight from makers.
26. Consider purchasing locally crafted souvenirs instead of unsustainable trinkets.
27. If you must buy a single-use plastic bottle, hold on to it until you find a recycling bin.
28. Utilize the public water fountains in Rome. One interesting aspect of this heritage is the local drinking fountains scattered all around the city. These fountains, called “nasoni” by the locals, have become an iconic feature of Rome and are a must-experience for travelers.
29. Add charity-supporting shops and cafés to your travel plans.
30. Shop where your euros go straight to producers, workers, or artisans. A great example of this is shopping at roadside stalls.