Responsible Travel

Tourism has a deep impact on the world: On the one hand, it can (and does) contribute waste, reduce natural resources, and disturb precious ecosystems. On the other, the tourism industry plays a vital role in community development, conservation efforts, and promoting cultural heritage. While we may never completely erase our human footprint on the world’s landscapes, we can make efforts to embrace responsible travel and combat those negative effects.

A person is walking on lava rocks near the ocean, Big Island, Hawaii.
6 Expert Tips on How to Be a Responsible Traveler in Hawaii
Saint Orontius Column, 18th century, at Piazza della Liberta in historic center of town
A Note from T+L Editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford: Why We'll Continue to Share Our Travel Stories
The beach in Ocean City Maryland, full on people and beach umbrellas
In This Favorite Maryland Resort Town, Women-owned Businesses Are Shaking Things Up
Briana Brake of Spaceway Brewing, in Rocky Mount, NC
Meet the Women of Color Remaking One North Carolina Town Into a Destination That Celebrates Diversity
A horseshoe river bend at Grand View, in New River Gorge National Park
I Went Whitewater Rafting, Sailed Down a Zip Line, and Slept in a Tree House in West Virginia's New National Park
A glass-walled guest room at Ambiente Landscape Hotel in Sedona, Arizona
Sedona Is Arizona's 'It' Destination — but Where Does It Go From Here?
Containers with garbage on the sand at the Isola delle Femmine in Sicily.
3 Simple Ways to Help Save the Planet, According to the Women Behind 'Plastic-free Fridays'
Sunset over Nkhotakota National Park
The Initiatives, Organizations, and Governments on the Forefront of Conservation and Sustainability Today
Emboo River safari
Electric Vehicles Are Changing Safaris in Kenya
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is pictured after disembarking from the catamaran La Vagabonde at the Santo Amaro docks in Lisbon
Five People Changing the Way We Think About Sustainable Travel
Banks Peninsula at sunset, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand, Pacific with a Travel+Leisure Global Vision Awards logo
Global Vision Awards 2021: How We Chose the Panel and Honorees
Intrepid Travel
These Travel Companies Created Tools to Help You Travel More Sustainably
The Breakers Hotel
These Innovative Hotels Are Leaders in Sustainable Travel
Underbelly of JetBlue plane
These Aviation Companies and Organizations Are Addressing the Environmental Impact of Air Travel Head On
Seals in Kaikoura, New Zealand
3 Destinations Leading the Charge for Sustainable Tourism
Photographer Cristina Mittermeier underwater with her photography gear
7 People Making Sustainability and Social Justice a Priority in Science, Wine, Tourism, and Beyond
Community ranger Ruth Sikeita (27), from Olaisiti conducts a daily widlife patrol at the Olgulului Ololarashi Group Ranch in Kenya
These Organizations Are Working With Communities to Make Tourism More Sustainable
Jesse Billauer
What It's Like to Climb Machu Picchu in a Wheelchair: Episode 1 of Travel + Leisure's New Podcast
Kalalau Trail with mountains and Kalalau Beach in background
How to Get a Permit for the Kalalau Trail, One of Hawaii's Most Beautiful Hikes
elephant nature park thailand
Why I'll Never Ride an Elephant — and You Shouldn't Either (Video)
Vilas at Secret Bay luxury resort in Dominica
This Caribbean Island Beloved by Adventure Seekers Is Inviting Travelers to Help with Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Sea Turtle Rescue
This Hotel in Puerto Vallarta Is Rescuing Baby Sea Turtles — and Guests Can Help Release Them Into the Wild (Video)
Jesse Billauer
This Inspiring Traveler Conquered Machu Picchu in a Wheelchair — and He Let Us Come Along (Video)
Global Vision Awards - Costa Rica
Global Vision Awards 2020: How We Chose the Panel and Honorees
Let's Go Together Host - Kellee Edwards
Travel + Leisure Is Releasing a Podcast Celebrating Diversity in Travel — Listen to the Trailer
Two komodo dragons embracing each other during a fight
Komodo Island Isn't Closing After All — but Visitors Will Soon Have to Pay a Hefty Fee (Video)
Ponant's new hybrid cruise ship
This New Hybrid Ship Is the Most Eco-friendly Way to Visit Antarctica
Intrepid Travel Cycling Tours
These 10-Day Bike Tours Were Inspired By Climate Activist Greta Thunberg (Video)
Four white rhinos grazing and walking in Laikipia savanna.
Global Vision Awards 2023: How We Chose the Panel and Honorees
Lamar Shambley with a group of teen study-abroad students
This Teacher Hopes to Changes Lives With a New Study Abroad Program for Teens of Color
Pair of photos showing children hiking in the Superstition Mountains
This Southwestern Destination Is America's First Autism Certified City
Portrait of free diver Zandile Ndhvolu in a wet suit sitting on rocks waterside in Cape Town
Meet 2 Women Championing Smart Solutions in Sustainable Building and Ocean Access
Guadalajara, Mexico, at dusk
3 Trailblazing Destinations Changing Travel for the Better
A woman and child look at dinosaur exhibits in the Arizona Museum of Natural History
These 2 Accessibility Initiatives Will Change the Way You Think About Travel
Pair of photos, one showing a woman in an orange coat with a tan bag, and one showing a dark brown bag on a white chair
These 5 Sustainably Minded Companies Are Setting New Standards for the Fashion and Beauty Industries
A man walks with two white rhinos at a conservancy in Kenya
In a Race Against Extinction, 2 Organizations Are Using Smart Science to Save Animal Species
Aerial view of the shoreline of Brazil, including thatched rooftops of a hotel
5 Hospitality Brands Leading the Way in Conscious, Environment-minded Travel
A Hurtigruten’s hybrid-powered ships sails beneath the northern lights in Norway.
The Cruise Line and Airline to Choose for Eco-friendly Travel
A tour group in front of a building in Seville, Spain
These Visionaries Are Closing Disparity Gaps in Travel Experiences
Inside the wooden Foyer of the Sara Kulturhus in Sweden
4 Sustainable Architecture and Infrastructure Projects Worth Planning a Trip Around: Global Vision Awards 2022
Aerial view of the SCIE:NCE Center at Soneva Fushi
6 Hotel Brands Changing Travel for the Better: Global Vision Awards 2022
A smiling rescue pig named George, on the grounds of the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY
3 Travel Experiences Centered Around Wildlife Rehabilitation and Rescue: Global Vision Awards 2022
Photo of sonic-boom-free supersonic jet against a blue sky and clouds
These Travel Companies Are Setting a New Standard in Responsible Tourism: Global Vision Awards 2022
Climate Activist Vanessa Nakate speaking at an event
5 Visionaries Making Strides in Climate Activism and Social Justice: Global Vision Awards 2022
A woman walks through a market wearing a dress by brand 4
5 Brands and Organizations Pushing for a More Responsible, Sustainable Retail Industry: Global Vision Awards 2022
A dish from Bocavaldivia restaurant
These Projects Are Changing the Way We Eat for the Better: Global Vision Awards 2022
Aerial rendering of the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands Resort
4 Impact-driven Hotels and Hospitality Brands
Akua kelp-based burger
4 Food and Agriculture Projects Tackling Climate Change, Employment, Biodiversity, and More
Caribbean & Co Founder Ursula Petula Barzey in St Lucia
3 Collectives Working to Make Travel More Sustainable and Inclusive
A vision impaired guest with Planet Abled feeling an object with the help of a guide
3 Travel Experiences That Will Change the Way You Think About Tourism
Illustration representing Travel + Leisure's 2022 Global Vision Awards Honorees
Global Vision Awards 2022: How We Chose the Panel and Honorees
A group of Veja sneakers
3 Brands Creating More Sustainable Options for Travel Essentials