12 Easy Ways to Travel More Sustainably
Help people and the planet while seeing the world.
By: Amber Kallor
“When traveling, there are endless decisions that we can make along all phases of the journey that can have a positive impact on the environment,” says Denise Naguib, Global Vice President of Sustainability and Supplier Diversity at Marriott International. From flying direct to forgoing fresh towels every day, making small tweaks to your itinerary and routine away from home can really add up–and result in an even more rewarding trip. While analyzing every move you make on vacation can be overwhelming, Naguib recommends committing to one or two eco-friendly actions until they become habits. Keep reading to discover simple-but-effective ways to make a difference during your next holiday.
SEAL THE DEAL
An easy way to tweak your travel routine is by booking accommodations where people and the planet are top priorities. “One of the best ways to identify if a hotel is addressing a broad set of sustainability actions is to see if the property has a third-party certification,” says Naguib. A few common seals you’ll find around the world: Opens in a new windowB Corp, Opens in a new windowGreen Key, Opens in a new windowLEED, Opens in a new windowBREEAM, Opens in a new windowEarthCheck, and Opens in a new windowGreen Globe. Many JW Marriott hotels (such as Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Washington, DC and Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa) list their accreditations and offer insight into the average carbon and water footprint of a guest room on the property’s website.
ESCAPE THE CROWDS
Beat the rush and save a few bucks by traveling off-peak, says Naguib. Not only will you skip long lines, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and hiked-up fares, but you’ll help prevent overtourism (i.e., too many people packed into one place), which takes a toll on fragile landscapes, heritage sites, locals, and wildlife. Seek out under-the-radar destinations that aren’t continually splashed across your social media feed or visit hotspots during slower times of the year. For example, many folks flock toOpens in a new window Nara, Japan in spring to see the cherry blossoms. Winter, however, offers a more serene experience where you can wander around ancient temples undisturbed or snag a coveted table at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
FLY DIRECT
Air travel isn’t the most sustainable form of transportation but it’s often avoidable. According to the Opens in a new windowInternational Energy Agency, aviation accounted for 2% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2022 and the sector is expected to grow rapidly through 2030. “Flying direct, in economy, is the most efficient [form of air travel] from an emissions perspective,” says Naguib. “The age of the plane, how full it is, and the type of fuel being used all contribute to the footprint.” The weight of your luggage matters, too. “Consider preparing your bag, then take a few items out,” she adds.
INVEST IN THE FUTURE
With the money you save from forgoing business class, “support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which helps lower the carbon footprint of jet fuel by up to 80%,” says Naguib. One way to do this is by contributing to Opens in a new windowUnited Airlines’ Sustainable Flight Fund, which invests in companies and new technologies that are increasing SAF production. Once you arrive to your destination, try to take public transport when possible or see the sights by foot and bike. Guests of the Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Grosvenor House London can borrow bicycles free of charge.
HYDRATE RIGHT
“I never leave home without my water bottle, tea mug, and reusable utensils,” says Naguib. If carrying cutlery around feels like a big commitment, skip single-use beverage containers and sip out of something more sustainable. You’ll find water-filling stations at many hotels (including Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Dallas Arts District and Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE). Others—such as Opens in a new windowJW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity, Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Pune, and Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Bengaluru—boast Opens in a new windowin-house water-bottling plants that help eliminate millions of plastic bottles a year. If your accommodations aren’t equipped with these eco-friendly amenities, bring a bottle with a built-in filtration system (like Opens in a new windowLarq or Opens in a new windowLifeStraw) and transform tap water on the spot.
USE LESS
Businesses are often able to implement big, sweeping changes, like Opens in a new windowMarriott International’s decision to forgo single-use toiletries in favor of refillable and recyclable bath amenities. This global initiative is preventing 1.7 million pounds of plastic from going to landfills annually but Naguib emphasizes that “absolutely every action an individual takes can and does make an impact.” Something as small as reusing a towel helps reduce the amount of energy, water, and chemicals that are used to clean it. Plus, less washing means less wear and tear—giving that towel a longer lifespan. Danamark, a water management company, reports that many commercial laundry machines (like those found in hotels) can use up to Opens in a new window1400 gallons of fresh water per load. Consider that figure next time you’re tempted to toss your towel on the bathroom floor.
HIT THE LIGHTS
In addition to hanging on to your bed and bath linens, managing the temperature of your room and cutting the lights can make a significant impact. Heating, cooling, and lighting are the biggest energy users in a building, notes Naguib. Since even the most eco-conscious traveler can forget to flip the switch when dashing out the door, the Opens in a new windowJW Marriott São Paulo installed a system that automatically turns off the lighting and air conditioning 15 minutes after a guest leaves their room.
SIP SMARTER
Plastic straws and stirrers were among the most commonly found items on beaches worldwide according to a Opens in a new window2023 report from Ocean Conservancy. Opens in a new windowBeyond Plastics, a nonprofit working to end plastic pollution, also predicts that there will be one pound of plastic in the ocean for every three pounds of fish by 2025. Guests of JW Marriott hotels will only find paper straws on properties around the globe. By making this simple switch, the Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort eliminated 780,000 plastic straws annually. This isn’t just good news for seabirds and other marine life, but people as well. Microplastics, small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long, may pose a Opens in a new windowrisk to human health.
EAT FRESH
Enjoying in-season produce that is responsibly sourced is not only delicious but it’s doing a favor for the planet and local communities. Even better if the ingredients are cultivated right on property, as they are in a JW Garden. These serene spaces found at JW Marriott hotels around the world are designed to calm your mind and delight your taste buds with freshly picked fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are featured in everything from cuisine to cocktails. “The act of growing food, flowers and foliage creates an ecosystem, no matter how small, for birds, bugs, and butterflies to exist,” says Naguib. “The products produced in the garden, whether for the kitchen or for decoration, can also reduce the products that need to be purchased and transported to the hotel.”
DON’T TOSS—TRANSFORM
Making the most of your leftovers is equally as important as savoring farm-to-fork cuisine, as 40% of all food that is grown is wasted according to a Opens in a new windowreport from the World Wildlife Federation and Tesco, says Naguib. The Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Bangkok repurposes everything from fruit scraps to coffee grinds. Tea is made from pineapple skin, cleaning products are made from mango skin, watermelon rinds are used for juice, and ground coffee is given to guests as a body exfoliant. Kitchen waste is also converted into compost for the JW Garden at both the JW Marriott Bangkok and the Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Mumbai Sahar.
SHOW LOVE TO LOCALS
“Leaving no trace behind is an invaluable motto,” says Naguib. “Avoid touching sensitive ecosystems like reefs, picking leaves or flowers, using sunscreen that isn’t safe for the environment, or disturbing native wildlife—we are guests in their world after all.” Instead of snagging souvenirs (like shells) that can damage natural habitats, purchase products or experiences that support people who are employed by tourism, which is about one in ten jobs, notes Naguib.
GIVE BACK
Opens in a new windowVolunteer your time during vacation or leave a lasting impression by contributing to organizations (such as animal sanctuaries and local conservation projects) in the community you are visiting. At the Opens in a new windowJW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, guests can pack lunches for Opens in a new windowSt. John’s Gold Coast Crisis Centre, tour theOpens in a new window Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, or Opens in a new windowrecycle to raise funds for Opens in a new windowHearts of Purple, a foundation that supports victims of domestic violence. Marriott Bonvoy members can even donate their points to various causes (including Opens in a new windowThe Ocean Foundation, the Opens in a new windowWorld Wildlife Federation, the Opens in a new windowArbor Day Foundation, and many more) at Opens in a new windowgiving.marriott.com.