7 prejudices against sustainable travels 

The concept of sustainable traveling is in need of explanation. Missing experiences, misunderstandings or faulty implications lead to persistent prejudices. Today, we would like to clear up with the most common prejudices about conscious travels.

1. Sustainable Travels involves compromises

Prejudice: Sustainable travels means to sleep in a treehouse without electricity and water. Luxury comfort? No way!

Reality: If this would be the case, Green Pearls® Unique Places couldn’t exist. All our partners prove in their own unique way, that eco-friendly and social initiatives are possible without diminishing luxurious standard and comfort.

2. Sustainable accommodation costs more than others

Prejudice: Those who travel sustainably, need to reach deeper into their wallets. Sustainable hotels are more expensive, as eco-friendly measurements need to be paid for.

Reality: Not necessarily! A sustainable hotel is not inevitably more cost-intensive. Firstly, hoteliers, who attach great importance to sustainability, do want to encourage and support this conscious way of travelling. Also, the sustainably thinking hotelier can also save some money! Environmental-friendly energy- and water saving measurements for example also reduces financial spendings in the long-term. To support hotels directly, it is helpful to directly book at the hotel.

Morena Eco Resort provides luxury accommodation and sustainable experiences at comparable costs.

3. Sustainable hotels do not take the topic of sustainability serious

Prejudice: Many hotels preach sustainability to jump on the „eco train“ and get attention. In the end nobody adheres to it.

Reality: I guess there are always some black sheep, who jump on the „eco train“, although they do not act entirely sustainable. If hotels praise their eco-friendly measurements, but there actually is an entirely different picture behind the scenes, it is called green washing.

But: There are of course hotels, who take the topic very serious. Here, sustainability is not a superficial add-on, but is intrinsically embedded in the hotel philosophy.

And if you are desperately wondering, how on earth one can distinguish between green wash and honest sustainable work, I can reassure you: Thank God there is Green Pearls®! We transparently tell about the green initiatives of our inspected partners, who perform sustainability in their own unique way.

4. If I want to travel sustainably, I have to renounce flights

Prejudice: Traveling by airplane to Asia causes high CO2 emission levels. Therefore one needs to abandon flights completely for the good of the environment.

Reality: Sustainability involves not only environmental protection, but also covers social aspects. It is important to travel to foreign countries to support the local economy as many regions live from tourism!

Thereby the environmental consequences of flights of course need to be recognized. It is important to be aware that flying should not be an ordinary means of transportation. There are countries that you can only travel to by plane – however, in that case you should plan a longer stay in the destination. Instead of going to the Maldives for one week, better stay three weeks and discover the destination entirely. When it comes to short distances, better switch to the more eco-friendly bus and train solutions.

5. Those social projects – who knows how they really help

Prejudice: Social and eco-friendly projects are fantastic, but how do we know that they actually help the cause? The projects are so inaccessible, you never know where the money actually goes to.

Reality: Of course there are black sheep, but with the choice of a Green Pearls® partner, you immediately support the local community. Most partners employ and support locals. Many hotels have social projects the surrounding, so that you will always know where exactly your money aids. Often you are encouraged to take part in the project: at Zeavola you can get your diving license and support the coral clean up, while in Peru at Inkaterra you get to know and cook together with the local people.

6. Sustainable traveling is for eco-people only

Prejudice: Eco-friendly travels are for those who eat vegan,  walk around with Jute bags and look like hippies.

Reality: Far from it! Sustainable travels affects us all – and it gets more and more apparent, that people need to be more concerned how to travel more consciously. The protection of environment and local communities is a concern that has reached all societal spheres. Thankfully! The climate change can be clearly felt and especially when it comes to food, we all become more conscious. In a sustainable hotel you will meet all sorts of travelers – families, singles, couples and yes, also business guests!

7. Exclusively Bio products

Prejudice: When traveling sustainably, I am only allowed to  eat bio products. Certainly, its the only way to comply with a sustainable philosophy.

Reality: We do love bio!  However, it is said that sustainable does not necessarily mean bio, while bio is not necessarily sustainable. Put your focus also on regional, seasonal ingredients. The possibilities to contribute to sustainability on your plate are endless!