Have you heard the news?
Of course, you have. The world of travel has changed, literally overnight. International borders have closed on a global scale, and our exploratory nature has been dashed without nary a warning. I’m not going to even get into the decimating effects this has had on every facet of the travel industry.
Thankfully, people still like to at least READ about travel.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am what they call a ‘digital nomad.’ Meaning, I have an “official” home address, but I don’t really consider that my home. I am much more comfortable bouncing from place to place. Being a travel blogger is good for that! Whether I’m on assignment somewhere, reviewing a hotel, or house/pet sitting in a new area where I can both take care of a fur baby and explore my new surroundings. I thrive on new spaces to live.
And so when we are forced to ‘stay at home’ and no one can travel, you have to get creative. This is what has forced me (indeed, ALL of us in the travel industry) to think…where do we go from here? What will the future hold for us as travelers? Well, one thing is for certain…
…when we CAN travel again, things will look and feel VERY different.
Make no mistake, none of us will ever travel in the same way again! Is this a bad thing?
Aw, heck NO!
If I’ve learned one thing about being in lockdown, it is that I have slooowwwed down! I’m not so hurried anymore. I take things one day at a time. I love it! Does that mean that some days I feel like I don’t get much accomplished? Of course!
When I hear of lions reclaiming roads in South Africa, and wolves and buffalo reclaiming more territory in Yellowstone National Park, it makes my heart happy! It says to me that we humans have taken a back seat, and nature has SPREAD ITS WINGS.
How can you NOT love that??
Up until now it’s been go Go GO and we NEED to learn how to slow down. All of these road trips we are taking? It’s using up too much gas in our cars. All of these plane trips that have been filling our skies? It has led to a huge carbon footprint on the planet. Since travel has stopped, the skies are clearer and the stars are brighter.
I, for one, will be much more selective about how and when I travel. In a post-coronavirus world, it behooves ALL of us to be better travelers.
But how do you DO that, you may ask? You still want to go somewhere, experience all it has to offer, while still reducing your carbon footprint and engaging in sustainable travel. Well, here are a few ways you can be a better traveler:
Take the Train
Amtrak is pretty cool. I’ve taken it from Portland to Seattle and back several times. These guys know what they’re doing! Not only that, but you can gawk at the passing scenery without worrying about keeping your eyes on the road. PLUS, they have a pretty nice snack and drink service!
Amtrak is the primary rail passenger carrier in the U.S., but within the Amtrak umbrella, there are many cool routes, such as the California Zephyr. And then there is the Capitol Corridor, the Coast Starlight and the Pacific Surfliner. The Southwest Chief serves areas between Los Angeles and Chicago. As far as train tours in the Pacific Northwest, in Oregon, there is The Mt. Hood Railroad has many scenic train rides.
Watch what You Eat
Here’s a novel thought – buffets are NOT your friend. It’s a huge waste, and not good for YOUR waist. Just think of all of that wasted food at the end of a buffet’s day. Yes, many buffet restaurants will donate any leftovers to the homeless, but that is few and far between. In most cases, it ends up in a landfill, and decomposing food contributes to almost 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. YUCH.
If you are a vegetarian or vegan, GREAT! If not, try and limit your meat consumption as much as possible. Meat processing sucks up a LOT of the world’s energy resources, and don’t even get me started on the treatment of animals.
Fun fact: About 40 percent of the world’s food waste happens in hotels. So next time you find yourself in a hotel restaurant, eat EVERYTHING on your plate! Or take it back to your room and eat it later. Just don’t toss it.
Better yet, stay in a place with kitchen facilities where you can prepare your own meals, and seek out locally produced food. Thankfully, more restaurants are getting on board with serving sustainable cuisine. If cooking in your room is not an option, choose those restaurants! Many restaurants are a member of Zero Footprint, which help in sourcing local farmers and sustainable food handling practices.
You are the Influencer Here!
More and more travel companies are doing their part in reducing their carbon footprint, and so can you. The power is all YOURS. When planning your next adventure, actively seek out companies who share your commitment to sustainability. Rather than asking them if they use sustainable practices, as them what their commitment is to environmental protection.
This is a big distinction. Anyone can spew out their elevator pitch on sustainable practices. But if they have a real understanding of how their business affects the environment, then you know they have put some real thought into their role in keeping our planet safe. If they are on board, they are sure to impress you with their answers.
Perhaps with your upcoming trips, you may think in terms of slower travel. Instead of taking so many trips of just a few days or a week or two, consider taking fewer trips and spending a much longer period of time in one area. Really delve deep into your destination, its culture, and savor it for all it’s worth.
How and why we travel will look very different going forward. With an eye towards keeping our planet safe, we can not only have FUN in our explorations, but we can also have peace of mind that our new travel habits are better for the environment.
The Pacific Northwest is Perfect for Environmentally-Friendly Travel
We are not only literally green, with our old-growth forests, our urban parks, and incredible mountain ranges, we “go green” always with our daily recycling and reusing habits. When you plan a trip here, dare to focus more on visiting the wide-open spaces instead of the cities. If you’ve never gone camping before, now is the time to think about doing that!
Sure, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver are awesome, but to know the real Pacific Northwest, you MUST explore the coastlines, the pristine forest lands, the Cascade Mountain range, and the gorgeous high desert territories.
I look forward to seeing you there someday in the near future!
