How to Plan a Luxury Vacation That’s Sustainable, Eco-Friendly

In 2016, Jessica Blotter cofounded Kind Traveler, a booking platform focusing on sustainability. She told Insider the platform “empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit.” 

Blotter shared three tips on selecting sustainable accommodation, transportation, and activities for an environmentally friendly and glamorous getaway.

Kind Traveler launched a curated hotel collection called Every Stay Gives Back in September 2023 to make finding sustainable accommodations easier, Blotter told Insider. The website lists hotels that practice sustainability by using energy-saving electronics, eco-friendly products, and locally sourced ingredients, among other initiatives.

Kind Traveler’s list includes more than 100 accommodations at destinations around the world from the US to Sri Lanka. Blotter said a portion of a guest’s stay at these places booked through Kind Traveler, the hotel’s website, or any third-party site funds a nonprofit that supports the local community or environment. 

Blotter pointed to The Stavrand Russian River Valley — a women-owned luxury hotel in Sonoma County, California — that she said has raised $2,318 in donations for Farm to Pantry, a local nonprofit working to end food waste and food insecurity.

“Even better, the impact of the donations thus far resulted in 4,620 servings of Sonoma County-grown fruits and veggies being shared with marginalized families,” Blotter said. 

How you get to your destination is another important consideration when trying to travel sustainably, Blotter told Insider. Her top recommendation is to travel by train, which is better for the planet than flying or driving.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, 29% of greenhouse-gas emissions in 2021 came from transportation — with 2% of those emissions coming from train travel. In comparison, planes were responsible for 9% of transportation emissions, while passenger cars emitted 21%, and larger vehicles like trucks and minivans emitted 37%. 

“Luxury train travel is an option for a reduced carbon footprint with operators such as Rocky Mountaineer,” Blotter said, adding that the train serves gourmet meals prepared by executive chefs. The train also has two levels of glass domes for striking views of the passing landscape. 

Insider’s Monica Humphries traveled on the Rocky Mountaineer from Denver to Moab, Utah, in 2022. Humphries enjoyed the stellar scenery, food, and drink aboard the luxury train, and said historical facts about the route kept her entertained on the two-day journey.

When it comes to activities, “luxury travelers often have an affinity toward wellness-related experiences,” Blotter told Insider. 

Blotter added that there are plenty of spas with sustainable practices in place. 

“Whether indulging in a luxe treatment, taking a yoga or meditation class, or learning how to live a healthier lifestyle through a guided cooking experience, luxury travelers can ensure their experience is sustainable,” Blotter said.

Before selecting a spa, Blotter recommends checking the ingredients used in its treatments.

“For optimal sustainability, the ingredients and goods used in treatments or wellness workshops are locally sourced, organic, cruelty-free, fair-trade, and plant-based,” she said.

She also recommends finding a place that conserves energy and has water-refill stations, filtered air, and recycling programs in place. 

“Spas that have a focus on nature are also a bonus in helping to connect travelers more deeply with the healing found in nature,” she added.

Blotter recommends Osmosis Day Spa in Sonoma County. The spa’s website says it’s dedicated to recycling and composting, uses eco-conscious products for treatments, and conserves water by recycling gray water. 

“As a traveler, you have the economic power to adopt a ‘vote with your dollars’ mindset and consciously choose to support local businesses that are aligned with community and environmental impact,” Blotter said. 

Whether you’re traveling on a budget or treating yourself to an expensive, glamorous trip, sustainable travel is always an option, Blotter said — you just have to be intentional about where you stay, how you get there, and how you spend your time.