There are a few common questions that surround sustainable travel.

1.     Why is booking through an eco-friendly platform important?

2.     Does it actually make a difference?

3.     How can I tell if something is genuine or greenwashed?

The answers are simple.

1.     The planet is dying and we will go with it.

2.     Yes.

3.     Check for accreditations, certifications, awards, and supporting organisations.

I could go into more detailed versions of these responses but I’ll save that for another time and another blog post (for selfish reasons we writers like to squeeze as many individual articles out of one piece of info as possible; writer’s block is very real). For now, let’s get into something that may actually help us make better travel choices; namely, the eco-booking platforms you can use to make your journeys more sustainable.

BookDifferent

Founded in the Netherlands in 2012, BookDifferent takes my number one spot for overall best sustainable travel booking platform. It’s easy to use and fact-based; basically there is no bullshit with this site. Their eco-ratings are easy to understand and clearly marked directly next to your search query results with their StayGreenCheck. Their eco-labels are based on three criteria, 1) Publicly available standard 2) Third party audit 3) On-site assessment.

I love the transparency with this booking platform. In a world of information overload, much of it being unreliable or very carefully crafted to appear sustainable on the surface while lacking creditability, I love a site that makes being a mindful and conscientious traveller easy and straightforward as it encourages more people to make eco-friendly choices. This site offers a decent choice of accommodations for a range of budgets which is something that I find lacking with many sustainable booking platforms that aim for audiences with a bit more disposable income.

Kind Traveler

This site is a veteran-and-women-owned public benefit organisation, labeled as the first Give-and-Get booking platform. This means that whichever of their 150+ destinations you want to travel to will be linked to local, vetted charities . If you make a minimum $10 (USD) donation, you will simultaneously unlock exclusive hotel deals or special rates and donate to the linked local charity (or local charity of your choice); 100% of the donation goes to the charity and you will receive a positive impact message so you can see where this money goes and how it’s used. They operate in 22 countries and I’m sure this will rise as the popularity of the website does. It has won awards from Newsweek and Travel and Leisure and has official associations with major companies like Lufthansa. Although relatively small now, this booking platform is an excellent choice for travellers who want their trips to have a direct positive impact. You can feel even better about your holiday knowing that your booking has made a difference in the local community.

Booking.com

This one might be a bit surprising for some. Booking.com is one of the world’s largest booking platforms and I have personally had a lot of problems with them in the past when I worked in the hotel industry; that being said, as a traveller I have had almost no issues with the platform and I use it numerous times each month.

This site offers the most variety with regard to destinations and budgets and it’s what I call an all-in-one site, meaning that you can book flights, accommodations, rental cars, and activities in one place (often receiving discounts for doing so). The reason it belongs on this list is that it now has an easy eco-badge system that allows you to tell immediately whether or not a property is eco-friendly and sustainable; you can even filter your search to only show sustainable options. I see booking.com becoming more involved in promoting sustainable travel as a huge plus, as they may have a genuine and massive impact on other travel companies turning toward more mindful and eco-friendly practices; booking.com is no fool and they are wise to understand consumer wants and trends. I would say, always double check the credibility of the results as with bigger companies they can get away with a bit more greenwashing than those that are dedicated eco-tourism sites. If you’re ready to book your next eco-friendly adventure, just click here to check out their extensive range of accommodations or here for the best flight deals.

ByWayTravel

This site let’s you explore all your train-based Harry Potter and Agatha Christie fantasies; maybe not all, if your fantasies involve the high death count of Harry Potter or the murders that take place on any mode of transport used by Agatha Christie’s characters, then I implore you to just stay at home…it’s more sustainable anyway. If your extracurricular activities extend to the love of train travel then this is the booking platform for you. ByWayTravel is the world’s first flight-free holiday booking platform and aims to help travellers of all demographics skip the flight and travel by land instead. I get particularly excited about this booking platform because train and ferry travel are my favourite ways to go. They are both proven to be more carbon efficient than flying (not that anyone is going to be surprised by that) with trains accounting for 14g of CO2 per passenger mile and flying creating a whopping 285g of CO2 per passenger mile. Travel by train and ferry also provide scenic, picturesque photo opportunities while you are travelling, meaning you can enjoy the journey, not just the destinations.  

ByWayTravel sorts out the details with transport and accommodation and provides you with a personalized itinerary, all included in the quoted price. Their range of trips is incredible with kid-friendly, dog-friendly, and all-vegan trips on top of the more expected romantic getaways, weekend trips, and city breaks. They offer flexible travel times (you can basically pick almost any start and end date that suits you), amazing destinations, and, if their reviews are anything to go by, provide superb customer support.

FairBnb

Who hasn’t heard of Airbnb? Some may argue that, as a company, it is not overly caring of the communities in which it operates. That may or may not be an understatement; I’m not trying to get sued for libel so I’ll leave you to your own opinions. I will say that homestays are being misused and abused; they are having a negative impact on cities and local communities worldwide. Enter Fairbnb.

This cooperative states that its aim is to counteract the negative effects of mass tourism, especially with regard to the devastating role homestay booking sites can play in gentrification. FairBnb strives for transparency between its guests, hosts, and local communities by working with local authorities to ensure hosts are verified, local projects are supported and funded, and no ecological damage is being done. So, the next time you look for a local homestay perhaps have a wee look at this more sustainable booking option first. Not only will you be getting a genuine local experience, but you’ll also be putting back into the community that has opened their doors to you. It’s a win-win.

Note: I try my best to be meticulous with my research. I have personally used most of these booking platforms or have trusted colleagues in the tourism industry that use them; however, it is always important to be wary and careful of greenwashing. Please do your own independent research whenever you are booking your trips, just to be sure. If you notice any problems with information that I have shared, please feel free to contact me about it.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission. The best news… this comes at no extra cost to you but helps me continue to create engaging content. All opinions remain my own.