Tag: ecotourism

How to travel better. The Eco-friendly cosmetic pouch makeover

admin0 Comment eco-friendly, Plastic-free, reef safe sunscreen, travel, Travel essentials , , , , , ,
Cosmetic pouch

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There are many little things that one can do to give a helping hand to our planet when travelling but one important cornerstone would be what you bring with you in your suitcase.  A refillable bottle and reusable shopping bag are always good ideas but let’s go a bit beyond and take a deep dive into cosmetic pouches.  Never big enough for some and an afterthought for others. There are a few ways by which we can do a healthy and planet-friendly makeover for vanity bags. The good news is that toiletries can easily be swapped for better alternatives.

First of all, I would say that the pouch/bag would be a good place to start.  Avoiding or limiting plastic pouches and favouring more natural materials such as hemp and cotton may be a good start. So swap plastic for natural fibres and you are heading in the right direction.

Next, what about your toothbrush and toothbrush holder? Ditch the plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one and do the same for the holder.  Not sure where to find the holder, check the link here.

Whilst we are on the dental hygiene topic, let’s not stop with the toothbrush.  Swap the toothpaste in the plastic tube with toothpaste tablets. Wait, what, how does that works?  Easy to carry, tablets contain the perfect quantity of toothpaste for one wash. All you need to do is to pop one in your mouth, chew a little and brush. Easy, plastic-free, no mess, you can even bring them in the plane as they are solid.  The earth will be smiling. Get yours here or here.

But wait, what about flossing. Remember your last conversation with your dentist? Yes, flossing is part of good dental hygiene but it does not have to cost the earth.   A cardboard case will work just fine. Try this one here or here.  Make your dentist and the earth a little happier.

Next, let’s move on to other essentials.  What about your deodorant? Ditch the plastic and trial one of those two options. The first one is in a tin can (click here or here) and you will need to apply with your fingers. Compact and effective, this is a great way to smell like a rose.  If you are not ready for using your fingers to apply your deodorant then you can get the cardboard stick. Effective and eco-friendly, both options are available. Check them out.

And one last thing. Soaps and shampoos.  Get rid of the plastic tubes and avoid using the hotel provided ones.  These are rarely fully used and end up as waste. Plus, I have found that they often contain way too many chemicals for my own taste.  BYO soap and shampoo kit it is.  Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, get your perfect travel kit (available in dry, sensitive or oily skin and hair options)

Haaaa, feeling better now.  How cool is that?  Add your reef-safe sunscreen and you are good to go (here ).  If this is sounding a little complicated, build your own perfect cosmetic/toiletries/vanity pouch in a few clicks, right here!

Until next time, travel safe and eco-friendly. 

Cheers,

Julie

Ecotourism has changed. What does it mean for you and me?

admin0 Comment travel, Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,
Ecotourism

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From ecotourism to sustainable tourism and towards destination stewardship. What is eco-travelling and what does it mean for Australia

We are really blessed here in Australia. We have so many wonders, sometimes we go straight past them and do not notice them.  Other times, they are so big, it is hard to understand them in their entireties. 

Great Barrier Reef

That big Kauri tree pine that you passed by without too much thought is classified as a near-threatened species. Do you know why?  Alternatively, some wonders like the Great Barrier Reef are so big that they can be seen from space, yet, comprehending its size by looking at the horizon is near impossible.

Jane Goodall famously said, “Only if we understand, can we care. Only if we care, we will help. Only if we help, we shall be saved.”

― Jane Goodall, Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe

I think that is probably on this premise that eco-tourism was born from.  Ecotourism was first coined in the 1980s and referred to visiting exotic and rare environments without causing too much harm.  It has since been an evolving concept supported by a myriad of certifications. 

Crucial in the evolution of eco-tourism are the concepts of sustainability and the impact of climate change.  Nowadays, it is not so much about the exotic environment but rather about the impacts of tourism and the stewardship of a destination. 

Sustainability explained
Sustainability development concept

Let’s first talk about the sustainability concept. Officially first defined in 1983 in the final report of the Brundtland Commission.  It was defined as “ development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”  Sustainability was intended to reconcile the ecological,  social and economic dimensions of life.  From limiting causing harm to the environment to being considerate to local communities, being socially responsible the eco-tourism took a more holistic approach.  The term sustainable tourism started to pop up here and there to show this expanded consideration.

These days, not compromising the needs of the future encompass consideration about climate change.  Climate change is in fact central to the present and future challenges of tourism and eco-tourism. On the one hand, the co2 emitted by planes and transport contribute to the rising of the temperature and on the other hand, climate change, for example in the form of sea-level rise and increased number of heat waves affect the places we travel to.  It is really a two-way street and we get what we put in.  Now, one thing we can learn about eco-tourism and sustainability is that purely focusing on preserving the environment will not work.  Other dimensions of human life such as social and economic need to be considered.

eco-certification
Green certified quality vector emblem isolated on white background

Enters destination stewardship or how to take care of a destination as a whole.  It changes the focus from the operator or the hotelier to consider the destination as a whole. It allows focusing on climate change mitigation solutions for the whole of the tourism sector in a region.  For example, the Whitsundays region has embarked on a project to decarbonise the tourism industry in the region and gain eco-destination accreditation.  This will also include considering social and economic dimensions in achieving destination certification.

So let’s go back to us, avid travellers and experience seekers.  What can we do to encourage a better way of enjoying the world we live in that is positive for future generations and that considers social and economic aspects of tourism.   For example, we can consider where we travel,  how we get there and favour eco-accredited destinations and operators.  If you are interested in learning how to travel to Far North Queensland,  check out my guide to travelling more sustainably. The guide is free and includes two, seven days itineraries ideas.

Hope you enjoy!

Until next time, travel with the planet in mind.  Stay safe and leave only footprints.

Cheers,

Julie

Reflection on Tourism and Sustainability

admin0 Comment COVID19, Holiday destinations, travel
Travel and sustainability

PS- Not feeling like reading, watch it! Check out my Youtube video here instead.

Peppermint Magazine
Peppermint Magazine Spring 2020

Still feeling the pinch when you see a plane?

Reminiscing the good old travel days and those travel plans gone astray?

When you daydream about travel, but your day looks more like one coffee cup after the other.

Now that we have some time to reflect on the world, how about reviewing our tourism habits.

I was reading the Spring 2020 edition of Peppermint Magazine and found this interesting article about the future of tourism. The article is called: “Oh! The places we’ll go “ by  Emily Lush. What I gather mostly from this article is that now is a good time to re-visit what we have been doing for a long time. From health concerns to over-tourism and carbon footprint, the travel industry brings a long list of unanswered questions but also an opportunity to change.

From what I can gather, getting the cheapest holiday package might just be a thing of the past. With all those travel agencies vanishing into the stratosphere and State borders still closed, our thirst for adventure might have to be satisfied with closer to home holidays.  Once borders slowly re-open, taking the plane interstate or dare I say to an international destination might not be as affordable as they used to. For a lot of us, that will probably mean travelling within the country, closer to home, for the foreseeable future.  

But there might be some good things out of this.  I am lucky enough to live in the beautiful Whitsundays in Queensland, and from talking to visitors, I was quite astonished that people living relatively close by were coming to the region for the first time. Queenslanders seem to discover their own State for the first time which is such a great thing!   One of my wishes would be that more Australians visit the Great barrier Reef and realise how significant this eco-system is and how it is intertwined with our climate and food sources.  Even with all those videos and photos available, there is still nothing like experiencing the real thing.

Maybe, if you feel like experimenting travelling in a more sustainable way, I have a free guide to help you plan a more eco-friendly trip in North Queensland, but where ever you go, whether it is your backyard or further afield, don’t forget to pack eco-friendly!  For the month of November 2020, check out Peppermint magazine where you can get a discount code to get you started with what you need for packing your suitcase! Take care and chat with you soon.

Julie