Have Conscience, Will Travel

A sustainable vacation means spending your discretionary dollars in the right places and on the right things. Here's how to scratch your adventure itch and get home with your values intact.

- BY MICHELLE GROSS

HOW DO YOU DEFINE sustainable travel in 2025? It’s complicated. In a nutshell, it comes down to respecting the environment and the local culture and economy. The idea of altruism in tourism has historically been pretty niche, a nice add-on for a certain type of traveler (often accompanied by a price markup). Lately, though, it’s become a must for many Americans. A 2024 report from Washington State University found that 75% of U.S. adults consider sustainability a priority when traveling. And not a moment too soon: As cities across Europe buckle under the weight of overtourism, and as in-demand destinations grapple with climate change’s effects on their environment and tourism revenue, the question of how and where to travel ethically has never been more important, says Jessica Blotter, cofounder of Kind Traveler, an online platform focusing on responsible travel. “Sustainable travel is about enjoying beautiful locations and ensuring they thrive for generations.”

Planning a sustainable trip starts at the very beginning of the process. Any air travel will account for a huge slice of your trip’s environmental impact, says Megan Epler Wood, managing director of the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program at Cornell University. “One round-trip flight to Europe from the U.S. equals the average American’s carbon footprint for the year,” she says. Still, sometimes you’ve gotta hit the skies, so be mindful of your cumulative effect. In general, taking only one long flight a year is better than going on multiple short flights frequently, Blotter says.