Why does sustainable tourism matter?

 

Travel has a real impact on the environment and on local communities. Sustainable holidays are more than a trend — they are an increasingly important approach. Mass tourism often leads to higher waste production, pollution and pressure on local infrastructure, which can affect nature and the quality of life for residents. A responsible approach to travel can help reduce your environmental footprint, support local economies and respect cultural heritage.

 

Sustainable tourism does not mean travelling without impact. It is about making choices that help reduce negative impacts over time and treating the places we visit with care.

 

In this article, we focus on destinations that apply some principles of more sustainable travel — for example, places where car traffic is limited, accommodation providers use more responsible operational practices, waste is managed more effectively, and experiences are designed with nature and local communities in mind.

 

 

What does a sustainable holiday mean?

Sustainable holidays and sustainable tourism usually include a few key principles:

• Reducing car traffic: Destinations where car use is regulated or limited, which can reduce emissions and noise.
• Accommodation with more responsible practices: Hotels and guesthouses may use renewable energy, sort waste and reduce water consumption.
• Waste reduction: Recycling and efforts to reduce waste can be part of local services.
• Supporting the local economy: Buying local products and using local guides and craftspeople.
• Respect for nature and culture: Responsible behaviour in protected areas, cultural sites and local communities.

Tip: Sustainability is not only about where we go, but also what we bring. Explore functional beach towels (including kids’ sizes), sports towels made from recycled microfibre, and durable bottles from NAYAVITA — for extra comfort while travelling, with a focus on reducing single-use waste.

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15 destinations inspired by principles of sustainable tourism

 

1) Zermatt, Switzerland

 

Where: Valais canton, below the iconic Matterhorn
What to do: Hiking, cable cars, glacier viewpoints, cycling routes, the scenic Gornergrat Bahn

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Car-free zone: Combustion cars are not allowed in Zermatt; transport is on foot, by e-taxis or by train from Täsch

• Energy: Electricity largely from hydropower

• Accommodation with more responsible practices: e.g., CERVO Mountain Resort (geothermal heating, waste-reduction in the kitchen, emissions-reduction efforts and compensation programmes)

• Waste management: Established sorting system and ongoing waste-reduction efforts

2) Bohinj, Slovenia

 

Where: Triglav National Park, Julian Alps
What to do: Hiking around Lake Bohinj, paddleboarding or swimming, Savica Waterfall, Vogel cable car, canoeing, local cheese farms

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Transport: Car access limited; free electric buses in summer

• Nature protection: Clear rules in the national park

• Accommodation: Guesthouses using renewables, local food, rainwater use

• Community: Support for local farmers and craftspeople

3) Azores, Portugal

 

Where: São Miguel — Furnas, Sete Cidades
What to do: Hiking around Lagoa do Fogo and Sete Cidades, thermal springs, whale watching with certified guides, tea plantations

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Tourism pressure: Regulated development in parts of the islands

• Energy: High share of geothermal and wind energy

• Accommodation: Eco-certified hotels; reduced plastics in some services

• Waste: Local composting and recycling; reduced single-use packaging

4) Amsterdam, the Netherlands

 

Where: City centre and nearby villages such as Waterland
What to do: Cycling along canals, lower-impact boat tours, cafés focused on waste minimisation, modern art, organic markets, vintage second-hand

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Cycling infrastructure: Very high cycling share

• Car limits: Restrictions for diesel vehicles in parts of the centre; expanding pedestrian zones

• Accommodation: e.g., Hotel Jakarta (water reuse, FSC-certified wood, green roof)

• Circular economy: Re-use systems in gastronomy; strong sorting culture

5) La Gomera, Canary Islands

 

Where: Garajonay National Park, Valle Gran Rey
What to do: Laurisilva forest hikes, visits to farms with more responsible practices, Mirador Abrante, “Silbo Gomero”, quiet beaches

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Lower traffic: Many visitors move on foot or by e-shuttle

• Building limits: Preserved landscape and village character

• Accommodation with more responsible practices: natural materials, on-site water filtration

• Education: Local biodiversity and conservation programmes

6) Ljubljana, Slovenia

 

Where: Historic centre and the Ljubljanica river
What to do: Electric boat ride, city market, Metelkova, galleries, community gardens

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Car-free old town: Mostly pedestrian with electric shuttle options

• Energy: High share from renewable sources; greener urban planning

• Businesses with more responsible practices: reduced plastics, recycling initiatives, community projects

• Recognition: European Green Capital (2016)

7) Kyoto, Japan

 

Where: Temple districts, Arashiyama, Gion
What to do: Bamboo grove walk, Zen temples, tea ceremony, traditional crafts, ryokan stays

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Transport: Strong public transport and pedestrian areas; limits for large groups in some areas

• Accommodation: Traditional ryokan, lower-consumption setup, reduced single-use plastics in some places

• Culture: Slow travel and cultural exchange

• Seasonality: Visitor management across seasons and areas

8) Palau, Micronesia

 

Where: Rock Islands
What to do: Snorkelling, visiting local communities, kayaking, responsible diving, learning about marine protection

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Palau Pledge: Visitors commit to responsible behaviour

• Tourism regulation: Limits on visitor numbers and zones

• Accommodation: More responsible practices, water and wastewater handling

• Protection: Restrictions on some single-use plastics; reef protection rules

9) Vancouver Island, Canada

 

Where: Tofino, Pacific Rim National Park
What to do: Surfing, whale watching, guided rainforest visits, indigenous cultural experiences, workshops

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Infrastructure: Regulated development

• Community: Indigenous-led restoration projects

• Accommodation: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge (emissions-reduction and compensation programmes, solar energy, low-waste kitchen)

• Waste: Composting, recycling, reduced single-use waste

10) South Moravia, Czechia

 

Where: Mikulov, Lednice, Pálava
What to do: Cycling through vineyards, wine tastings, UNESCO sites, local cuisine, natural lakes, SUP yoga

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Cycling network: e-bike stations and routes

• Accommodation: Family guesthouses and wineries with more responsible practices

• Local products: Seasonal food, local crafts

• Community: Money stays in the local economy

11) Boracay, the Philippines

 

Where: Aklan province
What to do: White Beach, paddleboarding, trips outside the main zone, Diniwid Bay, responsible snorkelling/diving

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Recovery measures: The island was closed in 2018 to address environmental pressure

• Visitor limits: Daily capacity regulated

• Single-use plastics: Significant restrictions on single-use plastics on the beach

• Accommodation: Only registered hotels meeting defined standards

12) East Frisian Islands, Germany

 

Where: North Sea coast — e.g., Juist, Baltrum, Spiekeroog
What to do: Wadden Sea walks, cycling, birdwatching, museums and eco-centres

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• No cars: On some islands cars are not permitted

• Walk/cycle friendly: Everything is reachable on foot or by bike

• Accommodation with more responsible practices: local products, waste-reduction efforts

• Protection: Part of the Lower Saxon Wadden Sea National Park

13) Piran, Slovenia

 

Where: Coastal historic town on the Istrian peninsula
What to do: Old-town walks, tower views, seafood, Sečovlje salt pans, maritime museum, quieter beaches

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Car-free centre: Parking outside town; walkable centre

• Policies: Support for sensitive renovations and local biodiversity

• Accommodation: Places focusing on waste reduction and local sourcing (e.g., Memento B&B)

• Sea relationship: Traditional salt pans operating without chemicals, supporting lagoon biodiversity

14) Retezat, Romania

 

Where: Retezat National Park, Carpathians
What to do: Challenging hikes, wildlife watching, glacial lakes, rustic mountain huts

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Nature: One of Europe’s less-impacted national parks

• Low visitor pressure: Regulated camping and visitor areas

• No large hotels: Mainly huts and simple mountain lodging

• Protection rules: Strict regulations, limited construction

15) Monteverde, Costa Rica

 

Where: Cloud forests in central Costa Rica
What to do: Canopy and zipline, night walks with guides, visits to farms with more responsible practices, hummingbird gardens, permaculture courses

 

Why it’s featured here:

 

• Community model: Local communities restored agricultural land into protected forest areas

• Energy: Very high share of electricity from renewable sources in the region

• Accommodation: Lodges with more responsible practices, rainwater systems, solar panels, permaculture gardens

• Wildlife: Conservation programmes for local species

Conclusion: travel consciously

 

Slow travel is not a limitation — it can be an opportunity for deeper experiences and more respectful tourism. Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are ways to explore the world while aiming to reduce negative impacts as much as possible.

 

No travel is 100% sustainable or impact-free. But small steps do add up — choosing accommodation with more responsible practices, car-limited destinations, or cafés and restaurants with waste-minimisation programmes.