New Year's Travel Resolutions 2019
Well 2018 went by in a flash, didn’t it? With a year as eventful as the past 12 months, it can be difficult to keep stock of goals, plans and aspirations as the world hurtles past us.
But fret not, fellow travellers! As we take our first steps into January, there’s never been a better time to start planning some New Year’s travel resolutions for 2019. To help get you started, we’ve devised our top 7 travel related resolutions to help you travel more sustainably and take the hassle out of your holiday in 2019.
1. Offset your carbon footprint
It’s now more vital than ever to consider the impact that travel can have on the environment and what we can do to minimise the detrimental effects. One way to pioneer ecotourism in 2019 is to try offsetting your carbon footprint using a site such as ClimateCare.org. This responsible role model calculates your carbon emissions for you, then recommends a donation amount that will be used to invest in other environmental projects around the world, in turn balancing out your carbon footprint.
2. Travel with less plastic
One of the easiest and most effective ways you can travel more sustainably in 2019 is by cutting down the amount of single use plastic you take with you. Thanks to TV programs such as Blue Planet II bringing it to the public’s attention, the scale of the damage that single use plastic inflicts on the planet is clear for all to see; most families throw away around 40 kg of plastic per year, which can take up to 500 years to decompose. There are also believed to be 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean, a statistic that’s even more frustrating when you consider that all forms of plastic are recyclable, and in most cases there are more sustainable alternatives.
Simple changes such as bringing your own shopping bags and ditching bottled toiletries for bars of soap can make a huge difference without breaking the bank. For more tips on how to travel with less plastic, take a look at our article here.
3. Visit somewhere new
Variety is the spice of life. While we all have our favourite getaway destinations, there’s no harm in broadening your horizons and visiting somewhere new. In fact, it can be good for your body and mind! Why not make 2019 the year that you take the plunge and discover somewhere out of your comfort zone. You never know, it might be your new favourite getaway destination.
Want some advice on where to travel this year? Check out our top destinations for a Brexit-proof holiday in 2019.
4. Think local
Supporting the local economy is a great way to travel sustainably in 2019. Get your food from local markets or opt for independently owned restaurants when abroad. The locals will thank you for it and you'll know that the produce hasn't travelled miles to get there.
If you’re in the market for a souvenir or keepsake, you can also check if something is made locally by the "made in" stamp, or ask the shopkeeper where the item originated from. Buying locally not only supports the person making it, it also means that it hasn't travelled miles to get there, therefore reducing your carbon footprint.
5. Pre-book your airport parking
While many of us book our holidays months, if not years in advance, we tend to leave everything else to the last minute. In fact, did you know almost 1 in 5 UK travellers still don’t pre-book their airport parking? We saved our customers an average of £59 each last year when they pre-booked their airport parking with us - and every minute of 2018 a customer saved at least £100, so there's big savings to ve made by planning your parking in advance! Find out how you can save money, travel in style and tick one more thing off your “to do” list here.
6. Embrace the weekend
A lack of time and money are two of the most common reasons that stop would-be travellers from jetting off, but neither should stop you from exploring. Weekend getaways are a fantastic way to discover more of the world; if there’s a city that’s a quick flight or drive away, go solo or grab a couple friends to discover it. Squeeze the most out of the days between Friday and Monday this year.
7. Take the hassle out of your holiday
Finally, make 2019 the year you take the hassle out of your holiday, and here at Holiday Extras we’re here to help. Whether you’re jetting off to the beaches of Alicante or exploring the striking wilderness of Iceland, start your holiday early by booking your airport parking, hotel and lounge with Holiday Extras.
And that’s a wrap on our New Year’s travel resolutions for 2019. Where are you travelling to this year?
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