Travel sustainably

Did you know that overnight stays are the second largest source of carbon emissions when travelling? Therefore, try to choose environmentally friendly, locally run accommodation. Firstly, staying in an eco-hotel (or other eco-friendly types of accommodation) will help you, at least partially, offset the emissions you have caused by getting to your destination. Secondly, by choosing locally run accommodation over multinational hotel chains, the money you spend stays in the region. Last but not least, it’s just interesting to see how they’ve dealt with the issue of sustainability in your hotel. Many innovations can be a good inspiration for you to adopt at home.

Don't change your habits just because you're in a hotel. Most of us don't change our towels or sheets daily at home, so why do it on vacation? Avoid changing towels and bed linen unless necessary. By reusing, you save water and energy and thus reduce the hotel's carbon footprint. Do not shower for too long and stop the water while brushing your teeth. Unplug your devices when they’re not charging. Turn off the TV when you’re not watching it, and don’t forget to switch off  lights and air conditioning when you leave the room to explore the beauty of the city.

There is perhaps no better way to get to know a country and its culture than through food! By buying local products, you support local producers and reduce the need for imported food. Instead of well-known international chains, go to a local independent restaurant for dinner or lunch and support the local community. You can also try one of the vegan or vegetarian restaurants. Don't be afraid to ask the locals where they like to eat and drink.

Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of the farmers' market and treat yourself to the best! Fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, homemade jams, syrups, cakes... We could go on and on. What could be more authentic? Don’t forget to bring your own bags, avoid plastic packaging. Be considerate even when buying souvenirs. Focus on products from Czech artists.

Your journey doesn't end with transport and accommodation. You can also reduce your negative impact on the environment by choosing your activities. Explore your travel destination on a bike rather than by car. Or just go hiking (always remember to stick to the marked trails). Otherwise, you could damage protected plants, for instance.

When travelling, it’s important to enjoy nature without leaving waste or damage behind. As you spend time outdoors in the Czech national parks and reserves, or in the wilderness, be aware of your actions and their effects on plants, animals and people - both locals and other visitors. Leaving no trash behind is essential.

Do you want to leave the destination in a better condition than before your arrival? Pick up the litter you find on the ground and throw it in the bin. Suddenly you’re part of regenerative tourism! This is a trend that is on the rise. You not only get a good feeling from it but you also help the local environment and create a better place for others.

Always choose public transport over the car. That's one of the best things you can do for the environment when travelling. Not only will you save yourself the hassle of parking, but you won't create any additional greenhouse gas emissions. You'll get better travel experiences and more opportunities to interact with locals. Or use bike sharing and explore cities in style, like a local. And we don't need to mention that walking is simply the best, right?

In case you do want to go by car, at least hire an electric one from a local car rental company. Not used to it? And isn't this just a great opportunity to try driving an electric car?

You can play a part in reducing the impact of over-tourism by avoiding popular destinations that struggle to deal with their influx of tourists. Seek out off the beaten path places instead. If you really want to visit a popular destination, try visiting in the shoulder seasons when there are fewer tourists around, rather than during peak season.

If possible, choose flights that take you directly to your destination as landing and take-off are the most demanding phases of the flight in terms of fuel consumption (and therefore CO₂ emissions production). Fortunately, there are plenty of direct flights to Prague from many (not only) European cities. And if you can't find any non-stop connection, at least choose the one with lower carbon emissions. Many flight search engines now offer a calculator to estimate the environmental impact of your journey.

Pack lightly. Only put the things you really need in your suitcase. Every pound counts when flying! The heavier the plane's load is, the more fuel it will consume. And the more fuel consumed, the more carbon emissions produced. Simple maths.

No need to buy bottled water in Czechia,  you can drink tap water here, it's safe. Invest in a stylish reusable bottle and refill it in your hotel room, restaurant bathrooms... anywhere! Don't use hotel cosmetics. Instead get small travel containers and fill them with your own shampoo and shower gel over and over again at home. Don't forget to bring your own bags (and pouches) for shopping. Your holiday destination definitely doesn't need more piles of plastic waste.

In addition to travelling more sustainably, what else can you do? Give it back to nature by planting a tree! Join us in the Plant the Future initiative↗. The goal of the initiative is to plant 10 million trees outside the forest in Czechia by the end of 2025. You can get involved as a donor or volunteer and plant a tree with your own hands. You can thereby strengthen the resistance of the Czech landscape and cities to the effects of climate change.