Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues of our time. Industries worldwide must rise to the challenge of reducing emissions to avert disaster. The travel industry is no exception.
Research from the World Travel and Tourism Council found that 83% of travelers now think sustainable travel is vital. As such, businesses in the tourism industry must get involved in the conversation, too.
But did you know that embracing green can improve several areas of your business? Green tech can not only reduce your carbon footprint but slash your expenses. Moreover, it can also be a great way of boosting positive public relations.
But with so many innovations, knowing what to invest your time and research in can be difficult. Just how can a business leverage these new opportunities?
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Five green technologies and initiatives that make travel more sustainable
Let’s take a look at five of the most promising innovations that can make traveling greener:
1. Sustainable flight options
Air travel has been on the radar of environmentalists for a long time. Experts estimate airplanes contribute to 12% of all CO2 emissions from transportation worldwide. As such, this environmental impact can have a massive influence on how people decide to travel.
To combat these figures, airlines have developed greener initiatives to revolutionize travel. The most impressive, of course, is the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This fuel is made from non-petroleum feedstocks and can reduce gas emissions by up to 94%. Best of all, SAF can also be introduced to existing aircraft.
Businesses should support airlines that prioritize sustainability as consumers and employees increasingly opt for greener travel. Data from Skyscanner found that over 246 million travelers have opted for flights with less than typical emissions.
2. eSIMs
Travel and connectivity go hand-in-hand. When we go overseas, we want to be able to use our smartphones and go online. However, one frustration with overseas travel is connecting to new networks.
Until recently, the most common solution for travelers was to buy local SIM cards at their destination. But these cards have several flaws, including being bad for the environment. This is because a local SIM card only works in one country and is difficult to recycle afterward.
Juniper Research has shown that local SIM cards account for over 18,000 tons of plastic waste annually. That equates to over 560,000 tons of CO2. Worse still, that figure increases when you include transporting cards, too. Thankfully, there is a greener, more efficient alternative now—eSIMs.
An eSIM is a digital version of the traditional SIM card. It is already embedded within modern smartphones, so owners won’t have to buy anything extra as everything is done through an app.
On top of that, eSIMs can be used while visiting several different countries. For example, by taking out a Saily eSIM, you can add new destination data plans to your existing eSIM. This makes it a long-term solution for travel and eliminates the need to buy physical cards.
Besides being a greener solution for communication, eSIMs promise a more reliable service. Flexible plans also ensure you can tailor your package to the specific needs of your trip!
3. Eco-friendly accommodation
As well as flying, modern-day travelers want sustainable accommodation when going on vacation. It’s now up to hotels and B&Bs to take various initiatives to show how they’re addressing climate concerns.
Recognizing this issue, Airbnb launched a series of sustainability grants for hosts. This cash injection aimed to improve energy efficiency and address carbon emissions. But you don’t need to wait for a grant to make simple changes. Consider these easy tips:
- Use smart tech: Accommodations can embrace smart technology to reduce costs and promote sustainability. Swap older appliances and gadgets for more energy-efficient models. Embrace smart plugs, which stop energy-hogging appliances from staying on.
- Change lighting: Simply changing the type of bulb you use can save money and slash your energy usage. LED bulbs, for example, consume 90% less energy and last 25 times longer than traditional bulbs
- Invest in renewables: Owners should consider investing in renewable technology. Solar panels, for example, can provide long-term savings and reduce energy bills. They can also consider heat pumps, which promise zero emissions and low running costs.
4. Electric vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) are disrupting the travel industry in a major way. Motorists are turning to these cleaner cars, which promise zero-emissions driving. In addition to contributing to cleaner air and reduced noise, driving an EV has many other benefits. As countries install more charging stations and offer more tax grants, more EVs are expected to be on the road.
Several popular companies plan to switch to EV technology in the travel industry. For example, Uber has pledged to become a zero-emissions platform by 2030. The company supplies drivers with information and encourages customers to support the changeover.
5. Virtual reality travel
During the COVID-19 pandemic, travel was shut down. People were isolated, and the tourism industry took a heavy hit. However, several amazing virtual reality (VR) innovations occurred during this time. This technology helped fill the travel gap during these years.
Travelers can explore any location in the world from their homes. People could research and learn about important global issues, including climate change. And this is where VR could help in the battle to transform travel into a greener industry.
According to research by the National Library of Medicine,, VR has an “indirect positive effect” on people’s environmental attitudes. It found that the technology allows travelers to potentially make sustainable choices.
Challenges to integrating green technologies
Despite its huge advantages, implementing green tech can be difficult. For businesses in particular, some obstacles to be mindful of include:
- Continuous research: Green tech is constantly evolving. As such, you must keep a firm eye on new developments within your industry. This can be difficult for small businesses to focus on.
- Providing training: Employees will need training when working with new tech. They may also need education to see how and why changes are being introduced.
- Adhering to regulations: Countries have different environmental and sustainability policies, which may slow down a business’s ability to effect change.
Green travel is the future
Green technologies offer businesses across all industries one common thing—opportunity. An opportunity to streamline processes, improve their local environment, and save money.
From eSIMs to electric cars, cleaner flying to VR, the travel industry is leading the charge. As the world embraces green technology even further, expect more innovations to come.
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