As a new year approaches, our thoughts are turning to how we can make the next one even more memorable.
But it's also a good time to question how things could be better. Including our travel habits.
Although travelling is an amazing privilege that gives us life, purpose and teaches us so much, it can also be problematic.
You only have to glance at the headlines to see issues such as environmental impact, accelerated gentrification and overtourism under increasing discussion.
The Power of One
You may wonder what, as a single traveller in a sea of millions, you might be able to do on an individual level to help tackle some of these problems and turn the tide in a better direction for the future.
Although the task can't rest on one person’s shoulders alone, adopting better practices and habits will no doubt inspire and get noticed by people around you.
And hopefully in the future, culture changes in the way we travel will gather at such a pace that positive change will win through.
New Year, New Adventures - How to Be a Better Traveller in 2025
So, what habits can you adopt in 2025 to be a more considerate traveller in the long-run? Here are some tips as a starting point.
Tip 1: Pack Less, Experience More
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We all have that friend or family member who packs like they're moving abroad for good. Don't be that person.
Sustainable travel starts with smart packing. Lighter bags mean lower emissions, easier connections and fewer lost luggage panics.
2025 resolution: Make the switch to modular packing cubes to help downsize your bag.
You'll find yourself better organised, carrying less and avoiding that "Oh no, my underwear’s out in the open" moment of horror at security.
Tip 2: Fly Less, Stay Longer
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In 2025, slow travel isn't just a trend - it looks set to become an important part of encouraging positive changes to the way we travel collectively.
Hopping between cities on short-haul flights might look good on the 'Gram, but it's a carbon nightmare.
Challenge: Instead of three city breaks, pick one spot. Stay, explore deeply and take the train for day trips. Your Instagram will thank you and so will the planet.
Tip 3: Read up on Local Customs
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Nothing screams 'oblivious tourist' like clapping inappropriately at a flamenco show or high-fiving a monk in Thailand.
So, it's always a good idea to take some time to understand local customs before you land.
Although it can be nerve-racking, plucking up the courage to speak to locals and ask for their thoughts and recommendations will also enhance your understanding of a place and its cultural norms.
You'll avoid embarrassing faux pas and maybe even make a friend or two.
Tip 4: Support Local Everything
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Big chains are convenient. But small businesses? They’re the heart of any destination.
It can be tempting to head to the nearest Starbucks after landing and ditching your bags.
But you're here to see and experience something new. So, taking the time to find that mom-and-pop corner shop or the tiny espresso counter locals love is all part of the learning.
Eat at local spots, stay in family-run hotels and buy souvenirs from artisans.
Not only does your money stay local, but your stories get better.
Next-level move: Ensure more of your money goes to local businesses and experiences by searching online for places nearby, asking people at your hotel, bars and coffee shops and keeping an eye out for flyers and posters in your accommodation.
Tip 5: Travel Greener (Without Greenwashing)
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Although air travel is inherently strenuous on the environment, it doesn't mean you should give up on keeping your environmental impact to a minimum once you land.
Even small actions can lead to positive change.
But, ahead of making these efforts, it pays to be aware of and avoid greenwashing.
The key takeaway is that, as much as we all want an easy time ahead of a trip, being sincere about making a difference requires a little extra (well-spent) time and energy researching and taking responsibility for the causes you choose to get behind.
So, things you can do to lessen your environmental impact as a traveller include:
- Embrace slow travel - Stay closer for longer. For example, you might decide to focus on exploring Europe's less-travelled cities instead of jetting off long-haul to the Caribbean.
- Try overland travel - Sure, it's not always glamorous and it takes way longer. But reaching your destination by coach, bus or even bike, are all possibilities and maybe even epic adventures.
- Buy local - Go for goods, services, food and drinks produced closer by, rather than those transported over long distances.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport - Explore your destination this way rather than by taxi or private cars.
- Check for credentials - Spend your money with businesses and hotels that make a genuine effort to reduce their negative impact. Check any sustainability credentials they claim to have to ensure their efforts are something you want to get behind.
- Ask about environmental efforts - Make it clear that greener products and practices are important to you as a customer and traveller. Creating demand stimulates supply.
- Donate to legitimate local charities and service providers - Whether that's a social enterprise or an environmental one, it can be a genuine way of giving something back.
Tip 6: Be a Digital Nomad - Responsibly
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Working from Bali and sharing 'today's office' posts on the daily sounds amazing. And it no doubt is.
But don’t forget, you’re a guest, not an expat-influencer-extraordinaire.
There is such a thing as digital nomadism done responsibly.
No matter how comfortable you get in a destination, it pays to respect the people looking after you, the local customs and culture and to contribute positively to it.
Also, to those this applies to, please, please stop filming TikToks in sacred places. It gives us all a bad rep.
Tip 7: Help Tackle Overtourism
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Venice? Santorini? Dubrovnik? We love them too. But so does everyone else.
So, a good resolution in 2025 could be to consider alternatives that offer similar vibes with much fewer people.
Think Slovenia instead of Switzerland. Portugal's Alentejo region rather than the Algarve. The Baltics, not the Balaerics. You get the picture.
Why?: Fewer crowds mean a more authentic experience and less strain on local infrastructure. Win-win.
Tip 8: Learn Some Basic Local Phrases
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You don't have to spend years becoming fluent in your destination’s language by any means.
But picking up a few tidbits - starting with the basics of "please," "thank you" and "sorry, I don’t understand" goes a long way.
Locals really do appreciate the effort, even if your accent is, well, uniquely Bri’ish.
Tip 9: Give a Little Back - Empowered by Knowledge
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As well as donating funds to local, reputable charities, some people choose to participate in voluntourism.
But although it looks good on paper, it does have its problems.
Done wrong, i.e., without lots of research to ensure a project's mission is genuine and long-lasting, it can come across as more about generating selfies than support.
Avoid investing your time and energy into a dud cause by arming yourself with as much knowledge as possible about your chosen voluntourism project.
- Research and research again - Look for reviews and testimonials and check if the foundation is registered with any regulatory bodies and is transparent about its work and records.
- Just Ask - Ask the project managers anything you want to know, i.e., what impact they've made, how they benefit the community. Be wary of those that don't evidence long-term sustainable results.
- Check for financial transparency - Legitimate projects will usually publish their financial and impact reports, detalling where the money you spend goes and what they spend fees on. Avoid those that focus on profits over impact.
- Understand the region and the community - Review the project's mission, what it aims to give to the community it works within and how it consults with them to achieve their mutual aims.
Tip 10: Stay Connected, but Stay Present
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It's 2025 - of course you need to check in on WhatsApp as you travel.
And you need that Google Maps download to get around. But livestreaming your entire trip? Maybe not.
Although it's easier said than done, making the effort to spend time away from your phone means the difference between living your travel experiences first-hand and letting them pass you by.
So, don't be that person who sees the Mona Lisa through a phone lens and makes everyone wait while you Instagram the food.
Instead, immerse yourself in the sights, smells, sounds and people around you on your 2025 travels. You won't regret it.
Pro tip: eSIMs from Airalo can keep you connected without astronomical roaming fees. Because getting lost is only fun when it's on purpose.
2025 Travel Trends that Can Help
- Regenerative travel - Going beyond sustainability, this trend focuses on adding something to your destination rather than taking away from it. What's not to love?
- AI-powered personalisation - From custom itineraries to real-time translation, AI is making travel smarter. Just don’t let it replace your sense of adventure.
- Slow travel - Slow travel is predicted to grow in popularity in 2025. This means more people staying at lesser-visited destinations for longer, forming deeper connections with it and those who live there. Sounds like a worthy bandwagon to jump on.
Final Thoughts - Information is Your Friend
No matter how you choose to be a better traveller in 2025, information is key to making balanced and smart choices.
Ensure you have uninterrupted access to info whenever and wherever you need it with an eSIM from Airalo.
If you've never tried an eSIM, new year is the perfect time. Find out more in this explainer then head to the store to choose the best data package for your trip.
