Bebe Voyage Logo
  • Join Now!
  • Community
    • Coronavirus
    • Foodie Kids
    • Globetrotting parents
    • Mompreneur Series
    • News
    • About
      • Contact
  • Advice
    • Vacation Rental Directories
      • Plum guide Directory
      • VRBO Directory
    • Baby Passport Photo
    • Travel Health and Medical Advice
    • Planning A Trip With A Baby
    • Family Travel Photography
    • Budget
    • Flying with a Baby
    • Baby Jetlag
    • Entertaining Baby on Board
    • Hotel review
    • Travel & Packing Hacks
    • Responsible Travel with Kids
    • Big Adventures w/Little Ones
    • Raising global citizens
    • Staying Zen While traveling with Kids
  • Destinations
    • Vacation rental directories
      • Plum guide Directory
      • VRBO Directory
    • Family Road Trips
    • Train travel
    • Americas
      • California
      • Caribbean
      • Chicago
      • Florida and SE US
      • Hawaii
      • New York and the East Coast
      • Pacific Northwest
      • Latin America
      • Western USA
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Germany & Central Europe
      • Greece and the Balkans
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • London & the UK
      • Paris
      • Reykjavik
      • Spain and Portugal
      • Stockholm
      • The Netherlands
    • Asia
      • Southeast Asia
      • Sydney
      • Tokyo
    • Middle East & Africa
      • Middle East
      • Southern Africa
  • Gear
    • Baby Carriers
    • Car seats
    • Compact Travel Strollers
    • Cribs and toddler beds
    • Fly beds
    • Food and feeding gear
    • Luggage
    • Travel accessories
    • Travel Apparel
    • Travel Services
    • Travel Toys & Entertainment
  • Shop
    • Guides and Itineraries
    • Favorite Brands
    • Travel gifts
    • Family Travel Books

    Shopping Cart

    No products in the cart.

    Sign in Sign up
    • Join Now!
    • Community
      • Coronavirus
      • Foodie Kids
      • Globetrotting parents
      • Mompreneur Series
      • News
      • About
        • Contact
    • Advice
      • Vacation Rental Directories
        • Plum guide Directory
        • VRBO Directory
      • Baby Passport Photo
      • Travel Health and Medical Advice
      • Planning A Trip With A Baby
      • Family Travel Photography
      • Budget
      • Flying with a Baby
      • Baby Jetlag
      • Entertaining Baby on Board
      • Hotel review
      • Travel & Packing Hacks
      • Responsible Travel with Kids
      • Big Adventures w/Little Ones
      • Raising global citizens
      • Staying Zen While traveling with Kids
    • Destinations
      • Vacation rental directories
        • Plum guide Directory
        • VRBO Directory
      • Family Road Trips
      • Train travel
      • Americas
        • California
        • Caribbean
        • Chicago
        • Florida and SE US
        • Hawaii
        • New York and the East Coast
        • Pacific Northwest
        • Latin America
        • Western USA
      • Europe
        • Belgium
        • Germany & Central Europe
        • Greece and the Balkans
        • Ireland
        • Italy
        • London & the UK
        • Paris
        • Reykjavik
        • Spain and Portugal
        • Stockholm
        • The Netherlands
      • Asia
        • Southeast Asia
        • Sydney
        • Tokyo
      • Middle East & Africa
        • Middle East
        • Southern Africa
    • Gear
      • Baby Carriers
      • Car seats
      • Compact Travel Strollers
      • Cribs and toddler beds
      • Fly beds
      • Food and feeding gear
      • Luggage
      • Travel accessories
      • Travel Apparel
      • Travel Services
      • Travel Toys & Entertainment
    • Shop
      • Guides and Itineraries
      • Favorite Brands
      • Travel gifts
      • Family Travel Books
    Family Travel Advice > From Planning To Cultural Considerations, A Journey To Socially Conscious Travel

    From Planning To Cultural Considerations, A Journey To Socially Conscious Travel

    • By Alison
    • June 22, 2021
    • Reading Time: 4 minutes
    • Please note that the article may contain affiliate links. Bébé Voyage may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
    • No Comments
    BV006

     

     

    We cannot talk about travel without talking about its impact on the environments and communities we visit. But what is socially conscious travel — both environmentally and socially — and how do we minimize our footprints? As travelers, there are things we can do before, throughout and even after we return home from a trip.  As you check  this list and reframe how you travel, consider this a journey, not a destination. We encourage you to try one new thing and build from there. It is not meant to serve as a guilt trip, but a reminder that we all have potential in us for change. Finding ways to apply this to your travels will take time, and changing your habits will too. But if you can start with just one idea, you are already improving your footprint. Those small changes will add up. 

     

    In this article, we offer a number of strategies you can take before you even leave home. Stay tuned for follow-up articles on what you can also do while on the ground, and when you return home. 

     

    “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.” ~ Edward Everett Hale

     

    PLANNING

    As you are planning your trip, be mindful during each step of the planning process. Where possible, take a moment to reflect on the impact of each decision from  your transportation, to lodging, tours, and more. Follow your dollars (or local currency) to ensure they land in a spot you can morally support. 

    If you don’t know where to start, the internet is full of sustainable, green, local choices. Numerous niche apps exist to help make your travel more responsible such as Alternative Airlines to find local flights and smaller airlines, Wayaj or Eco Hotels to locate sustainable properties, and Book Different for greener travel planning services. 

    If this still seems too overwhelming, many of the apps you are already using have built-in options you may not have noticed. Skyscanner has a filter for green flights, and will show emission levels among your search results. When searching for a rental property on VRBO or Airbnb, you can read about your hosts and ensure you are booking with a local host.

     

    PACKING

    As you are starting to gather what you will take with you on your trip, go through your packing list or suitcase and eliminate any single-use items that will ultimately be tossed on your trip or once you get home. Your toiletries are probably the number one culprit here, but an easy fix. You can make a small investment in a reusable travel toiletry set and fill up with products you have at home. You will only need to buy this once and think about all those one-ounce bottles saved!

    Beyond that, envision what you will use in a location that will ultimately contribute to a foreign landfill (if that is even a public facility where you are traveling). What can you bring with you to minimize waste where you are traveling? Water bottles are another easy option to plan for. You can bring your own water bottle (with a filter or sterilizer if you can’t drink the tap water there) so you don’t need to buy water bottles while there. Think about how much water you might consume over your entire trip multiplied across the number of people in your family or group. More plastic is reduced! Another easy item to pack are reusable grocery bags. They come in lots of sizes and colors, and are often made of recycled materials themselves. You can pack these for any shopping you might do while there, and as a bonus, they double as day or beach bags. Packing items that serve multiple purposes is smart all around. 

     

    CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS 

    Beyond thinking about the planet and the environment you are visiting, the people are equally important in becoming a more conscious traveler. Start by doing your research on cultural and religious differences. What are the customs you should embrace, and others that might not be appropriate while visiting? Consider dress, gestures, and slang as a start. Learning at least a few words in the local language will also go a long way. Don’t assume or force anyone to learn English. Learning hello, please, thank you, and goodbye will help you connect with the people you meet.

    As you are planning, expand your travel searches from “Best Things To Do in [Place]” and “Top 5 Things to Do” to dig deeper into both the history and present community. Are the articles written in the voice, and only that, of those in power? Do they gloss over or omit Indigenous communities, and/or other marginalized communities who made past and present contributions to the fabric of the area? Does their omission from the story mean they miss out on opportunities to shape the travel experience of visitors they host and the local economy as well? 

    Finally, discuss your ideas around socially conscious travel and global citizenship with your children. They are never too young to have these conversations and start building this lens. They will also better understand these practices and be more willing to participate when it comes time to travel. 

     

     

    If you have other ideas for our like-minded community, please share in the comments section below. 

     

     

    You might also like to read:

    Zero Waste Travel: Good For Mother Earth And Good For The Soul

    Anthony Bourdain: Lessons to Pass on to Our Kids

    • conscious travel
    Facebook
    Twitter
    LinkedIn
    Pinterest
    Alison

    Alison

    This Wisconsin mom has crisscrossed the globe with her husband and two children, documenting it all on her @FindingSalas Instagram feed and YouTube channel. Alison has lived abroad, taken a round-the-world trip, and travelled full-time with her family. Now living back in the United States, she jumps at any chance to get on a plane, train, or automobile to max out her leave time. With her family, she hopes to also bring an Indigenous lens to the travel community.
    All Posts »
    Become a member
    PrevPrevious4 Kid Podcasts that Grown-Ups Won’t Hate
    NextUS National Parks Have Had Their Busiest Month On RecordNext

    Responses

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    About Author

    Alison

    This Wisconsin mom has crisscrossed the globe with her husband and two children, documenting it all on her @FindingSalas Instagram feed and YouTube channel. Alison has lived abroad, taken a round-the-world trip, and travelled full-time with her family. Now living back in the United States, she jumps at any chance to get on a plane, train, or automobile to max out her leave time. With her family, she hopes to also bring an Indigenous lens to the travel community.

    Follow Bebe Voyage

    JOIN THE CLUB

    DISCOVER ALL THE BENEFITS OF OUR MULTIPLE LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP
    sIGN UP NOW
    Cool

    Recent Posts

    • Baby Friendly Beaches Around the World

    • Travel Making a Comeback and More…

    • Christmas in London with Kids

    • Christmas in Paris with Kids

    • Travel Essentials for a European Trip…

    Login

     
     
    Forgot Password

    Register

    Who’s Online

    Online 0
    There are no users currently online
    Info
    • Contact
    • About
    • Media Appearances
    Menu
    • Contact
    • About
    • Media Appearances
    Blog
    Connect with Bébé Voyage
    Facebook-square Instagram Pinterest Twitter At
    BACK TO TOP
    © COPYRIGHT BEBE VOYAGE, LLC 2021
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Service
    • Terms & Conditions

    Get the Ulimate
    Family packing List

    Includes just about every type of trip we could think of, various ages, and links to the best travel products we could find.