SINGAPORE ,
April 18,
2024 /CNW/ -- Hike up the mountains, dive into the
sea, or soar into the sky… what better way to take in the glorious
beauty of our planet than through travel? However, carbon emissions
from transportation, the plastic waste left behind by travellers,
and the potential impact on nature also make travel an activity
with lasting environmental consequences.
This Earth Day, Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service
provider, offers 8 tips to travellers who would like to embark on a
more sustainable journey. In some cases, just simple actions can
make a huge difference.
1. Participate in carbon offset programmes for
flights
With aviation accounting for at least 2% of global carbon
dioxide emissions, we need to consider our carbon footprint when
opting to fly to our next destination. Whenever possible, choose to
fly direct because take-off and landing use the most jet fuel on
every flight. Use tools to track how much carbon emissions your
flight emits and select carbon offset options to support projects
that reduce, capture, or avoid carbon emissions in an amount
equivalent to your carbon footprint.
Trip.com has been working with leading climate-tech company
CHOOOSE to help travellers support carbon offset projects with just
a simple tap. When travellers book a flight on Trip.com, they may
see the option to offset carbon for a small cost. In 2023, this
contribution went directly to four climate-protecting initiatives
around the world: building and operating two waste-to-energy
facilities in Turkey,
disseminating improved, high-efficiency cook-stoves in households
in India, protecting and enhancing
pristine mangrove forests in Cambodia, and monitoring and protecting the
ecosystem for a forest in Brazil.
2. Consider train travel as an
alternative
On average, trains are one of the most energy-efficient means of
transportation, making them an eco-friendly travel choice. Train
travel can also be relaxing and enjoyable, allowing you to take in
the scenery and avoid the stress of navigating busy airports or
unfamiliar road conditions. So, the next time you are planning a
trip, check if there is a train route that suits your needs.
If you are travelling in the United
Kingdom and booking train tickets through Trip.com, you can
track how much carbon footprint you have reduced through train
travel by checking your carbon credits on the Trip.com app.
Furthermore, you may celebrate your achievements by planting
virtual trees. With a choice to plant trees such as rowans, sessile
oaks, silver birches, and more, you can take pride in watching your
tiny virtual saplings turn into vibrant forests through your green
efforts.
3. Rent electric cars rather than gasoline
vehicles
Road trips offer an autonomous and immersive experience when
travelling. There's nothing like driving through local landscapes
on your own time, taking breaks or detours whenever you feel like
it, and enjoying the company of your travel partners or the freedom
of driving alone. Choosing electric vehicles over gasoline ones
also allows you to take carbon reduction into your own hands –
while the building and charging processes still emit carbon, fully
electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and reduce air
pollution. With the increasing availability of charging stations,
it has become more convenient to charge electric cars on the
go.
At Trip.com, you can see the electric cars clearly labelled when
you search for car rental options. This provides greater clarity
and allows you to choose the more environmentally friendly
option.
4. Bring your own toiletries and avoid
single-use items
Plastic production has grown to more than 380 million tons per
year. Microplastics, in particular, have become yet another
permanent and pervasive human imprint on the environment,
presenting a grave threat to the health of humans as well as other
species. This year, "Planet vs. Plastics" is chosen as the theme
for Earth Day, which commits to a 60% reduction in the production
of plastics by 2040.
Bringing your own toiletries instead of relying on single-use
items is one of the key sustainability tips suggested by TripGenie,
Trip.com's AI travel assistant. Without taking up too much space in
luggage, this simple action can go a long way in reducing waste.
More and more hotels are now encouraging travellers to bring
reusable items as they strive to promote sustainable practices and
minimise their own environmental impact.
5. Support local communities and empower best
practices
Getting to know local communities can often provide insights
into how people interact with their environments. Stay at
locally-owned accommodations, eat at local restaurants, and
purchase goods from local artisans, and your immersive travel
experience will also contribute to economic growth. Responsible
practices, such as respecting local customs, conserving natural
resources, and supporting environmental initiatives, further help
preserve the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the
destination.
Across China, Trip.com Group
has established 29 country retreats in rural areas, all with the
aim to create economic opportunities and inspire travellers to
build a new relationship with nature. This initiative has led to
the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, not only in direct
employment but also in nearby homestays and relevant industries.
Trip.com Group has also been implementing low-carbon practices in
these country retreats – for example, installing solar panels,
charging stations, and an integrated circular wastewater treatment
system in the Anhui Jinzhai Country Retreat in eastern China.
6. Head to hidden gems and prevent
over-tourism
Overtourism, which refers to too many tourists going to a
particular destination, can strain local resources, damage fragile
ecosystems, and disrupt the lives of residents. By checking out
lesser-known destinations and off-the-beaten-path attractions,
travellers can help alleviate the burden on tourist hotspots, thus
mitigating overtourism. This approach allows for a more authentic
travel experience and contributes to a more balanced tourism
industry.
When planning your itinerary, you may try using TripGenie,
Trip.com's built-in AI travel assistant, for advice about hidden
gems in your dream destination. You may also draw inspiration from
AI-enhanced curated lists like Trip.Best and Trip.Trends, which
combine real-time user preference data with expert curation, for
nature attractions, local eats, and top-notch hotels, among
others.
7. Limit carbon emissions in business
travel
Environmental awareness should not be limited to personal
travel. As face-to-face business meetings return after the
pandemic, corporate travel has again contributed to global carbon
emissions. More and more companies today are keen to reduce their
environmental footprint by holding video conferences, creating
carbon budgets for business travel, and encouraging employees to
opt for low-carbon practices.
To help businesses achieve their sustainability goals, Trip.Biz,
the digital travel management company powered by Trip.com Group,
has been implementing and continuously developing advanced features
such as carbon emission display, tracking, carbon budgeting and
restrictions, and the creation of customised carbon accounts based
on clients' specific requirements. It also presents users with
carbon emission data for each available flight option, and the
post-trip management report and individual travel history further
aid companies in refining and elevating their sustainable travel
policies.
8. Share your love for nature with
others
Your trip doesn't have to end when you get home. By showcasing
the beauty of the places you visit, you can inspire others to
appreciate and protect these destinations. However, it is crucial
to be mindful of the impact of your posts. Avoid geotagging
sensitive locations, respect wildlife by maintaining a safe
distance, and encourage responsible behaviour in your captions.
To reach a dynamic community of travel enthusiasts just like
yourself, you may tell your stories through Trip Moments on
Trip.com. In addition to sharing your favourite snapshots from your
trip, you may also jot down memorable encounters, offer travel
advice, and participate in various seasonal campaigns that reward
content generators with perks like limited stickers and even Trip
Coins that can be used towards your next order.
As globetrotters, we hold the power to shape the future of
travel. By embracing sustainable travel, we are safeguarding the
beauty of our planet for the next generations to explore and
cherish. Whether it is reconsidering transportation options,
packing reusable and recyclable items, or spreading the word to
others, our actions can help ensure that the wonders we witness
today will endure.
About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider
comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across
its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the
world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products
and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with
users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related
content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform
consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres.
Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in
2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known
travel groups in the world, with the mission "to pursue the perfect
trip for a better world". Find out more
about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.
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SOURCE Trip.com Group