Traveling is one of life’s most extraordinary experiences, but are we truly traveling responsibly? Can we be gold-medal ethical travelers?
For those of us who always have our bags packed, traveling is an unparalleled joy. Each journey is an opportunity for discovery, a tapestry of cultures, scents, and flavors that envelop our senses and our attire.
We immerse ourselves completely in these experiences, letting emotions carry us away. With the best intentions, we aim to be ethical, eco-conscious, and sustainable travelers, but do we truly succeed?
To ensure that our intentions are more than just beautiful words, let’s shed some light on the sustainability of our stay…
Eco-friendly vacation: what the eco-traveler truly seeks
In general, the ethical traveler plans their itinerary (in our case, in Greece) with consideration for the impact their journey will have on the environment and local communities, without overlooking the possibility of volunteering in the places they visit.
From this broad definition, let’s delve deeper, considering that the eco-traveler directs their journey toward a naturalistic itinerary, preferably on foot, paying special attention not to harm the surrounding environment, respecting the enchanting natural landscape of our Greek island, Zante.
The sustainable traveler also adds to their planning the impact that their chosen mode of transportation will have on the island’s climate and carefully selects accommodations, thus contributing to the preservation of the unique beauty and biodiversity of Zakynthos.
Choosing an eco-sustainable stay in Zante
But how can we recognize a sustainable tourist accommodation? There are certainly many parameters listed in various online articles that talk about ecotourism.
Meanwhile, I’d like to share what we took into consideration when designing and constructing Thalassa Green to welcome our guests for a sustainable vacation:
- Use of construction materials from renewable sources, such as wood that adorns our spaces and creates a unique experience for those who inhabit them, in harmony with the atmosphere of Zante. With smaller pieces not usable for construction, we’ve crafted interior furniture, and wood shavings are used for garden mulch.
- Use of locally available materials, like the beautiful local stone from excavation residues, used to build walls that seamlessly blend into the Greek landscape.
- Engagement of island artisans to support the local economy: every element of the village has been crafted by skilled hands in Zante.
- Energy from renewable sources and water reuse, a broad and delicate topic, especially on an island like Zakynthos! We store rainwater for house use, treat wastewater for reuse in irrigation, and harness solar energy for hot water.
- Long-term environmental impact of the cottages: we’ve opted for a mobile solution so that the houses can be easily relocated, allowing nature to reclaim its course once we’ve departed. The roofs of the houses match the color of the trees, ensuring minimal visual impact even from above.
Perhaps in future articles, we’ll delve further into these eco-friendly topics or discuss sustainable travel and tourism in Greece, drawing inspiration from our island experiences in Zante. What do you think?
