Conscious adventures: how to travel more sustainably

We’re lucky to live in a time where travel is very accessible to us. Whether on a work related trip, exploring a new city or visiting home, many options are available to see the world. In a recent survey, 46% of people replied saying they would welcome tips on how to travel more sustainably*, so let us inspire you with some ideas.

Getting to your destination

How we choose to travel is a significant way we can make less of an impact. Train travel has been gaining in popularity over the years, especially within Europe. One report* shared that 77% of leisure travellers prefer to travel by train over plane. This preference is likely due to the lower carbon footprint of trains. Trains can be powered by electricity, especially in Europe where many countries utilize renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. Plus, governments are taking great steps to encourage travellers to use rail services, with France banning all short-haul domestic flights last year and countries such as Spain, Austria, and Germany set to do the same**. By opting for trains over plains or cars, you actively reduce your carbon footprint, contributing to a cleaner, greener planet.

As well as rail services, bus travel is also an option that can get you around a country with less impact. Buses are more fuel-efficient than cars, especially when carrying a full load of passengers. Many cities are doing a great job at improving infrastructure to allow for this mode of transport, making it a convenient and sustainable choice. Car sharing is also getting more popular as it means fewer cars on the road, less traffic and air pollution. You can also meet new people! Bonus points if it's an electric car too. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them the cleanest option for car travel.

If you’re thinking about where you could travel without needing to take a flight but by train instead, why not plan your interrail adventure with us in mind? With our multiple hubs in various countries, you’ve got a bunch to choose from and it’ll make travelling throughout the country far easier. In Italy, you’ve got Bologna, Florence and (soon!) Rome to explore. Within the Netherlands, you can see pretty much the whole country with hubs in Groningen, Amsterdam, The Hague and Delft (and more). In France, start in Paris, make your way to Toulouse and then even cross the border to San Sebastián.

Speaking of Spain, here’s a suggested itinerary for an interrail trip around this beautiful country.
Starting in the Basque region, pay a visit to San Sebastián. This chill beach town is known for its premium food scene - with the most Michelin star restaurants per m2 in the world (!) - and its amazing waves to surf. You can even join a surf lesson organised by our hub once a week. For the best spots to try pintxos and the legendary Basque cheesecake, make sure you download our city guide.

Head on down to Madrid with a transfer in Zaragoza, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the big city. Our hub looks over the famous Palacio Real and is within walking distance from loads of popular spots such as Plaza Major and the Mercado de San Miguel. Don’t miss Picasso’s Guernica - located in the Reina Sofía - displaying many other significant Spanish artists’ work. Just two hours away by train is Valencia, a beautiful, green and calm city along the coast. Its rich history gives it a unique architectural look and feel and just like all of Spain, the options for good food are endless. Take a train along the coast for around three hours and you’ll end up in buzzing Barcelona. This city is a treasure chest for culture, cuisine and creativity. For the real hidden gems that are off the beaten path,  download the city guide. You’ll find spots that are under the radar and loved by locals.

Choosing your accommodation

By choosing your accommodations and keeping sustainability in mind, you're not just getting a great place to stay, you're becoming part of the solution. Sustainable accommodations prioritize practices that minimize their environmental footprint and support the local community. We've listed down some pointers to keep in mind when choosing your next accommodation for the destinations you love.

Does the accommodation have a sustainability policy?
You can most often find this on their website with clear information and certifications from credible organisations. Be aware that these credentials also come with a bit of a price tag, so for smaller and independent hotels it’s not as easy to get them. You could give them a call and enquire about their approach to sustainability - that way you’ll get a good sense of whether it's important to them or not.

Do they work closely with the local community?
This can come in the form of hiring local staff, using local suppliers, supporting sustainable community programmes for example. Having good connections with other businesses such as local tour guides and hospitality locations also shows their commitment to enhancing the local network.

Are they committed to limiting their environmental impact?
These are efforts that should be communicated clearly on their website and socials, as well as in the accommodation when you’re there. Look out for smaller steps like encouraging guests to reuse their towels and linens and providing recycling bins in rooms, to more proactive actions such as; the implementation of energy and water-saving technologies, eco-cleaning products, and an on-site garden that provides the hotel restaurant with produce.

Sustainability at The Social Hub
Since we started out, we’ve been on our own journey to make sustainability the norm in our hotels and part of our philosophy. At The Social Hub, we strive to create a better society for everybody. It’s a bold ambition, but small steps create big change. That’s why we work every day to build and run our hubs responsibly and to engage with communities effectively. We believe hospitality has the power to shape a fairer future.

When it comes to environmental impact, we believe in leading by example and driving industry change while setting realistic, measurable sustainability goals. We make this possible by collaborating with like-minded partners, holding ourselves accountable and by regularly benchmarking our environmental efforts. For example, to reduce the impact of single-use plastic and paper cups, instead 9 out of our 18 hubs (re)use a Billie Cup and Vytal. Our partnership with Orbisk has helped us reduce food waste by up to 50% in a number of hubs.
Our hubs use BREEAM certification to guide our efforts. This sustainability assessment method rates properties on energy, health, wellbeing, waste and transport and rates the building from ‘Pass’ to ‘Excellent.’ We aim for all our hubs to receive at least a ‘Very Good’ rating.

As well as environmental behaviours, we’re very focused on creating positive social impact with our hubs and community. We work with local suppliers, connect with local experts and changemakers and host various programmes and forge partnerships to foster well being and growth. For example, Talent Garden enhances community learning by giving members access to many online tools and a tailored in-house programme. 

Curious to find out more? Read more of our efforts here.

Other sustainability tips while travelling

If more environmentally conscious travel isn’t possible or you’re not able to stay with us, then not all hope is lost! There’s still plenty of ways you can integrate eco-friendly behaviours into your travel plans. 

1. Pack smart and travel light - less luggage on a flight reduces overall weight and improves fuel efficiency, and then you’ll have some space to pick up a souvenir for your way back!
2. Shop local and support independent businesses - it’s a great way to boost the economy and give a more authentic experience of a place and local habits and customs.
3. Opt for biking, walking or public transport over driving - we offer free bike rental at all of our hubs! And you experience more of the city’s atmosphere when you walk or bike through too.
4. Scope out the restaurants that value sustainability - think seasonal menus, conscious packaging, zero food waste concepts. Do some research before you go to find out the best spots.
5. Carry a reusable water bottle - and if you’ve forgotten yours, you can buy one at our hub as a souvenir.
6. Reuse your towels rather than requesting new ones - you save 50 litres of water every time you keep hold of yours!
7. Save energy and reduce your carbon footprint by turning off the air-con and lights in your room

Read our Impact Report

Want to get into the nitty gritty of it all? Download our impact report to dive deeper into our current and upcoming initiatives and learn more about our contribution to a healthier planet.

Download the report

Sources:

*https://www.globalrailwayreview.com/news/133334/survey-reveals-popularity-train-plane-business-travel/
**https://partner.booking.com/en-gb/click-magazine/trends-insights/new-research-reveals-trends-driving-sustainable-travel-2023https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/01/short-haul-ban-these-european-countries-could-soon-see-the-end-of-domestic-flights]