Why Sustainable Travel Isn’t Just a Trend
I remember when “sustainable travel” started appearing everywhere, usually next to stock photos of linen shirts and bamboo toothbrushes. It felt like branding more than behaviour. Something you opted into if you had the time, money, or patience. That framing doesn’t hold up anymore. Sustainable travel isn’t a movement you join. It’s a response to reality. Overcrowded cities. Strained infrastructure. Places that quietly change shape under the weight of too many visitors moving too quickly. You notice it when buses are full before locals can board, when water pressure drops in summer, when entire neighbourhoods feel temporary. What’s changed is awareness, not morality. Most travellers I meet aren’t trying to be “eco”. They’re trying to travel without feeling like a burden. They want trips that feel lighter — less rushed, less extractive, less disposable. Sustainability fits because it answers practical problems, not because it sounds virtuous. Staying longer is cheaper an...