Travel Sustainably
How to make mindful choices – from local food to sustainable stays – that protect the planet and benefit communities
Words: Phoowadon Duangmee
Photos: Shutterstock
Travelling sustainably isn’t just about ticking the “eco-friendly” box or obsessing over your carbon footprint. It’s a new way of thinking – travelling with care and leaving places as (or more) beautiful than we found them.
We all want to see the world. We want to chase adventure and capture special moments. And we want those very beautiful coastlines, local markets, and ancient cities to remain for younger generations. The good news? You can travel responsibly without having to compromise on comfort or adventure. It means making careful choices about where you rest your head and how you get from point A to B.
Before packing and leaving home for the airport, take a moment to think about where you’re going and the challenges your destination might be facing, so that you can make a positive impact every time you travel. Choose eco-conscious luxury resorts that prioritise sustainability, for example using solar-powered energy, sourcing produces from local farmers, or even have their own farm. Every time you travel, pack light, because every extra kilo means more fuel, and consider contributing to a carbon offset programme.
After arriving, take time to absorb your surroundings. Explore on foot, by bicycle, using sustainable transport provided by hotels, or try the electric tuk-tuks and taxis that are trending today. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for public transport and soak up the local vibe. They reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere while expanding your travel experience – whether it’s enjoying scenic countryside or connecting with locals along the way. And savour the local and seasonal food – not only does it taste fresher, but it supports farmers and reduces the carbon footprint for transport.
More than anything, be gentle with the destinations you visit: pack a reusable water bottle, and respect local customs and traditions. These small deeds cost little, but they count.
Perhaps the most impactful thing we can all do is slow down and spend more time in fewer places. Skip the whirlwind tour and really get to know a destination – its rhythms, its people, and its quirks. This will reduce the strain on local resources while creating richer and more memorable experiences.
Sustainable travel is not about perfection, it’s about intention. We can all do our part in preserving the world’s beauty, for ourselves and everyone who comes after us, with small, considered choices.
How to Travel Responsibly
Every journey begins with a choice – a moment at the crossroads as we decide which path to take. If you’re looking to travel more thoughtfully and responsibly, let these tips guide you toward lower-carbon alternatives and eco-friendly adventures.
Bed Down at an Eco-Luxe Resort
For a more sustainable journey, choose accommodations that blend comfort with environmental care, and inspire others by sharing your experiences to promote greener choices. Many choices today, from stylish city hotels to beachside resorts, are adopting eco-friendly practices with stylish design and luxurious retreats. They redefine sustainable travel by integrating energy-efficient architecture, locally sourced materials, and immersive experiences that protect the environment.
On pristine coasts, some resorts invite guests to participate in marine conservation experiences, such as coral restoration and sustainable diving, reconnecting them to nature. Finding eco-friendly accommodation is becoming easy. Many booking platforms now feature green filters to help travellers identify sustainable options. Look for categories like “off-the-grid” stays, “sustainable stars” or accommodations with eco-ratings that align with your values. Additionally, several online agencies specialise in green lodgings, offering curated options that support environmental conservation.
Put your Money where it Counts
To travel better and sustainably, support locally owned businesses, especially in economies reliant on tourism. Stop at family-run stores and food stalls, and purchase artisanal crafts directly from makers. Look for community-driven tours, such as exploring the local coffee culture in Chiang Mai or learning traditional rice farming techniques in Luang Prabang. Sophistication lies in connection – seek out artisans who craft timeless textiles, engage in cultural workshops, or savour meals prepared with generations of culinary wisdom at family-run eateries. These experiences deepen your travel experience while empowering local communities and preserving cultural heritage. Ethical engagement extends to wildlife, too. Support sanctuaries that care for elephants and other animals, and ensure that your visit matters. Responsible tourism is not just about exploring new places, but also respecting the local people, traditions and surroundings that make each destination unique.
Just Say No
The six Rs of sustainability also offer simple yet powerful ways to lessen your environmental impact as you travel. Reduce, Reuse, Rethink, Recycle and Repair are useful watchwords for the responsible traveller. But perhaps the most immediate impact comes with the sixth R: Refuse. In a world of overconsumption, we need to break the disposable goods cycle. Refuse single-use plastics, such as flimsy hotel slippers and small plastic bottles in the bathroom. Say no to giveaways that serve no purpose. Avoid anything that heads to landfills. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like refillable water bottles, and choose with awareness to support sustainable practices. By embracing this approach, you’re not only reducing waste but also encouraging others to follow suit.
Step Out, Power Down
Spending time outdoors not only helps us reconnect with nature – it reminds us that we are a part of it. Immersing in greenery (as fans of forest bathing know) is as beneficial for our well-being as it is soothing to the planet. Neuroscience reveals that being surrounded by nature calms the vagus nerve – Latin for “wanderer” – sending restorative signals to our breathing, digestion, and heart rate. While enjoying the outdoors, we give energy-hungry air conditioning a break, reducing electricity use and supporting sustainability. To show further respect for nature, consider supporting national parks that protect vital green spaces, found in over half the world’s countries. Back home, simple tweaks like layering up, opening windows, and switching off lights can collectively create a measurable impact.
Walk More, Ride Smarter
Every step and every ride contribute to saving the planet. Walking and public transport offer simple yet powerful ways to travel sustainably while fostering a deeper connection with your destination. Many cities are enhancing their walkability with pedestrian-friendly routes and lush green spaces, making urban exploration more enjoyable. Walking is often faster than public transport, factoring in waiting times and transfers – and it’s a great way to sightsee and stay active. For longer trips, public transport is more affordable and efficient, and also offers a window to local living. With transport mobile apps, you can explore destination cities like Bangkok and Hong Kong while minimising your carbon footprint.
Slow Down, Stay Longer
When it comes to travel, think quality over quantity and spend more time in the destination. Slow travel not only reduces your carbon footprint but also allows for a deeper connection with the places you visit. If your schedule allows, consider extending trips to combine work with leisure, or trade multiple short city breaks for a longer, immersive staycation. Discover hidden gems and untold stories through local guides who can share unique insights about your own backyard or your chosen destination. Look for creative workshops, local tours, or adventures to enrich your travel experience. By travelling show, you can help preserve the planet while enjoying a rewarding journey.
Eat Local
Dining choices, too, have a great impact on sustainable tourism. Eating local and seasonal produce, or choosing vegetarian options, minimises the carbon impact while celebrating the destination’s culinary culture. Going fully vegan isn’t necessary, but embracing plant-based dishes – especially in regions considered hotbeds of creative vegetarian cuisine – can cut greenhouse gas output and deforestation. Local food also reduces “food miles”, decreasing the emissions from transporting ingredients around the world. Supporting local farmers and producers not only benefits the environment but also enriches the local economy.
Green is the new glam: The future of travel
Sustainability isn’t just about reducing the impact on the planet, but about travelling smart and giving back. A new wave of eco-consciousness is sweeping Thailand, proving that luxury and responsibility can go hand in hand.
Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui is transforming resort luxury with deep-rooted conservation efforts. Halapua by Kapuhala Koh Samui is redefining wellness stays through plant-based dining and holistic tourism. At Marasca Samui & Cabanas Koh Samui Beach Club, sustainability meets heartfelt hospitality, driven by a community ethos. Look Isaan champions rich regional culinary traditions through ethical, locally sourced ingredients. Bangkok Airways, meanwhile, is taking off for greener skies with sustainable aviation fuel, carbon-cutting initiatives and eco-friendly airport innovations.
Together, they are reshaping the way we travel – ensuring that every step, from fine dining to five-star stays and even flights, lifts us to a greener future.
Travel Smart, Stay Sustainable – The Garrya Way
Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui blends indulgent escapes with a commitment to sustainability – setting a gold standard for eco-luxury where every detail reflects a profound respect for Samui’s beauty. The resort’s dedication shines in its recycling and waste reduction programmes. Energy-efficient lighting, non-air-conditioned public spaces, bicycles, and a shuttle service reduce carbon emissions.
Sustainability sizzles at the resort’s restaurants, with organic ingredients from its own farm and local suppliers, minimising impact while supporting the island’s farming community. Beyond pampering guests, the resort uplifts the local community, notably with a solar-powered pump providing clean water for Baan Plailam School. This initiative is funded by guest donations of US$1 per night, matched by the Banyan Group.
By weaving sustainability into every aspect, Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui exemplifies eco-conscious luxury, ensuring Koh Samui’s natural beauty and cultural richness are preserved for future generations.
GARRYA TONGSAI BAY SAMUI
84 Moo 5, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani, 84320, Thailand
www.garrya.com/en
Photos: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui
Plant-Based Haven in Paradise
On the lush hills of Chaweng Noi, Halapua by Kapuhala Koh Samui proves sustainability and indulgence go hand in hand. This plant-based restauratn – the only quasi-fine dining vegan restaurant on Koh Samui – isn’t just about food, it’s mindful culinary experience. Beneath rattan lanterns, diners enjoy Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the award-winning Kapuhala Sicily, bringing dishes like Sicilian Parmigiana, thoughtfully reworked into a plant-based whole food version with local ingredients to reduce carbon footprint.
Kapuhala weaves sustainability into every detail, embracing a “living-without-walls” ethos. Halapua restaurant opens up to a 25m salt water infinity pool against the ocean as its natural backdrop, creating a fresh and luxury retreat atmosphere. Guests can also stay in safari style tents or sunrise-view farmhouses, waking to island breezes before easing into yoga, icebaths and sauna breathwork sessions – all practices are designed for restoration and to promote longevity.
At Halapua restaurant and Kapuhala Koh Samui, mindful choices elevate the entire travel experience, making sustainability an effortless part of the journey.
HALAPUA BY KAPUHALA KOH SAMUI
Chaweng Noi, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
www.kapuhalasamui.com
Photos: Kapuhala Koh Samui
Feel Good, Do Good in Koh Samui
At Marasca Samui, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the heart of everything they do. As Southeast Asia’s first resort with Fitwel Design certification, this casual-luxury retreat on Chaweng Beach sets a new benchmark for eco-conscious travel. Energy-efficient design, water recycling, lush green spaces and a herbal garden reflect the care they lavish on guests and the planet.
Next door, Cabanas Koh Samui Beach Club serves more than just great vibes. Their Canteen Project connects guests with local culture through traditional Southern Thai dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.
An innovative automatic composter transforms up to 25kg of food waste daily into nutrient-rich compost for their garden. Drinks like Tepache – a refreshing probiotic made from pineapple skins and cores – highlight their love for the planet. Upcycled art, local craftsmanship, and Thai artisan products further preserve cultural and environmental heritage.
Together, Marasca Samui and Cabanas Beach Club celebrate Koh Samui through design, sustainability, and community – offering experiences that nourish the soul while protecting the planet.
MARASCA SAMUI & CABANAS KOH SAMUI BEACH CLUB
789 Moo 2, Bo Phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
www.marasca.live
Photos: Marasca Samui
A Trailblazer’s Path to Sustainable Heritage
The story of Look Isaan is rooted in one woman’s passion for preserving Northeast Thailand’s heritage through sustainable practices. Inspired by her Isaan upbringing, the founder brought traditional flavours to the North, blending artisanal craftsmanship with a commitment to the environment.
At the heart of Look Isaan are the region’s fabulous fermented sausages, a culinary wonder crafted from local ingredients and cherished by foodies all around the world. Other gastronomic delights on offer tell their own tale – organic garlic from Lamphun’s Baan Hong community, salt from Bueng Kan’s centuries-old pits, and sticky rice cultivated by the Dok Kham cooperative. Even the sweetness is sustainable, with cane sugar from Auntie Wan’s zero-waste farm in Phrao.
Look Isaan’s journey is more than food – it’s a tribute to the enduring bond between Northeast people and the land. By sourcing directly from local farmers and embracing traditional methods, Look Isaan showcases the rich flavours of Isaan while championing sustainability that ensures their future survival.
LOOK ISAAN
Rimping Supermarket branches in Chiang Mai
www.lookisaan.com
Photos: Look Isaan
Flying Greener
Bangkok Airways, an eight-time winner of Skytrax’s World’s Best Regional Airline, is more than just a way to reach destinations. The boutique airline connects travellers to the rich cultures and natural beauty of Southeast Asia, while committing to preserve these wonders for future generations. Driven by sustainabiity, the airline blends luxury air travel with environmental responsibility.
In partnershop with PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR), Bangkok Airways prioneered the “Low Carbon Skies” initiative programme by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on a pilot flight in June 2024, demonstarting its commitment to clean energy and reducing, CO2 emissions. This initiative aligns with global efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The airline is also optimising fuel efficientcy, reducing CO2 emissions by 7,827.54 tonnes – an average of 162.20kg per flight-in 2024 alone.
Sustainability extends to Bangkok Airways’ sustainable travel hubs of Samui, Sukhothai, and Trat airports. Samui Airport has been honoured with the “Green Airport” award, recognising its excellence in environmental sustainability. It features an eco-conscious design with natural materials, green spaces, electric vehicle charging stations, and energy-efficient lighting. Its wastewater recycling system reduces CO2 emissions by nearly 40 tonnes annually. The commitment to reducing waste is further highlighted by efforts to eradicate single-use plastics.
Beginning 2023-2024, Bangkok Airways also upcycles old uniforms into practical items like aprons and cloth bags, saving 19,241.64 kilowatt-hours of electricity and over 3,238.51kg of CO2 emissions. This initiative exemplifies its commitment to the circular economy, turning waste into resource.
Community engagement also plays a key role in Bangkok Airways’ sustainable travel journey. In Trat’s Tha Som community, the airline supports a project upcycling discarded oyster shells into creative products made from shell cement, including coasters, pots, and paving blocks. Community outreach is driven by the “Love Earth, Save Earth” campaign, now in its seventh year. The campaign preserves natural ecosystems, from planting coconut saplings and releasing baby blue crabs to supporting mangrove reforestation for carbon sequestration.
The airline is advancing waste management by enforcing strict waste separation at its main offices, lounges, airports, and waste sorting by Bangkok Air Catering (in-flight waste). In 2004, these efforts have reduced CO2 emissions by over 269,623.97kg.
From sustainable aviation fuels to community support and waste reduction, Bangkok Airways is setting a new standard for sustainable travel, connecting people to beautiful destinations while ensuring their preservation for future generations.
BANGKOK AIRWAYS
99 Moo 14, Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok
www.bangkokair.com
Photos: Bangkok Airways