Eco-travelers: How to spot them – and whether you are one

Traveling light, thinking sustainable, and loving authentic adventure, eco-travelers leave behind more inspiration than footprints. But what makes them tick? From stylish Tencel? outfits to a penchant for forest bathing and vegan dining, we’ll show you how to spot eco-travelers-and maybe even see if you’re one. Curious? Then let’s go!

Are you one of us?

You can find us at train stations (and sometimes airports), on hiking trails, at the market, far from it all or right in the middle: eco-travelers, sustainable travelers, eco-tourists. No matter what you call us, you can almost always recognize us by a few characteristics and behaviors.

1: Travelling is our passion

In many countries, travel is one of the most popular hobbies in the world. The same goes for eco-travelers. They love to explore new places, experience different cultures, discover the world, get away from it all, relax, enjoy and be on the move. When they are not traveling, they are following travel bloggers, planning their next trip, or dreaming about it.

2: We travel light and smart

You know the sight: people with huge suitcases, several plastic bags, a bundle of notes in their hands and beads of sweat on their foreheads. They are definitely NOT eco-travelers. Ecotravelers have light, practical luggage with a capsule wardrobe and use digital maps and tickets.

3: We look good

What sets them apart from the stereotypical “eco” image is that eco-travelers don’t want to sacrifice style and modern haircuts. They wear high-quality, fashionable clothing made from sustainable materials such as Tencel?, pineapple leather or mulesing-free merino wool. Sustainable outdoor labels and elegant basics are especially popular. Add a smartphone, headphones and sunglasses and you are ready to go.

4: We always read the labels

In principle, eco-travelers are zero-waste advocates, so we carry things like our own water bottle and a snack in our beeswax wrapper. When we do reach for the refrigerated shelf, the product is automatically flipped over to examine the ingredients, country of origin, and packaging materials. We jump at labels like “organic,” “vegan,” “recycled,” and “non-toxic,” but not without scrutiny.

5: We care about people

As eco-travelers, we want to see an end to poverty and exploitation in this world, and we want to be socially sustainable while traveling. We are aware that we have many privileges as travelers and that we are among the wealthy. We would like to pass some of this on by spending a little more money on Fairtrade products or by choosing accommodation that is active as a charity hotel, such as the Farmhouse Smiling Gecko in Cambodia..

The Farmhouse Smiling Gecko is a resort with attached educational facilities, workshops and agriculture for the Cambodian people.

6: We experience authentic adventure

Instead of jetting off to the Rainbow Mountains in Peru for an Instagram shot, we prefer to visit Inkaterra’s field station in the Amazon jungle or spend a night in a tree house at Inkaterra’s Reserva Amazónica. When traveling long distances, we make sure to allow enough time for the trip to be worthwhile and to benefit the local community (see point 5).

7: We do not stay in commercial hotel chains

You won’t find eco-travelers in cookie-cutter houses, and they don’t book package tours with just any accommodation. Instead, we stay in selected, individual accommodations with a transparent and sustainable philosophy – like (you already know) – We are interested in sustainable and unique accommodations, such as an Albergo Diffuso in Italy. One such example is the Relais del Maro in Liguria, which has spread its hotel rooms over a number of former residential and commercial buildings in the village of Borgomaro.

8: We enjoy sustainable and, even better, vegan fine dining

As eco-travelers, we know where avocados grow (and how much water they need!) and when strawberries are ripe. The hotel breakfast buffet is therefore critically examined. Vegan options are well received and can be served as a multi-course dinner on artistically created plates in the restaurant, such as at the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel, which was completely converted to plant-based fine dining in 2024.

We will only eat meat, fish and poultry if we know exactly where the animal came from, how it lived, whether it is endangered, how it was killed, how far it was transported, who processed it and what happens to the leftovers.

9: We are mindful – of ourselves and the planet.

Mindfulness has its origins in a story about the Buddha at a time when there were many spiritual masters. Once the disciples talked about what their respective masters could do. One could be in two places at once, another could walk through walls, and the Buddha (or one of his disciples) said, “When my master stands, he knows he is standing, when he sits, he knows he is sitting, and when he lies, he knows he is lying”. As eco-travelers, we know such stories and draw conclusions for our own lives. In places like the Selfness Center at SCHWARZWALD PANORAMA, we deepen our mindfulness practice while not (or only slightly) burdening the planet with our journey.

10: We try things like forest bathing, singing bowl massage or thalassotherapy

Yoga and hiking are popular among eco-travelers. So it’s no wonder that many sustainable hotels specialize as yoga hotels or offer special yoga retreats (for beginners or pros). We also prefer hotels that are designated hiking hotels, such as the Naturhotel Outside in the Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol.

But we are also open to new things, so we are happy to try forest bathing, singing bowl massage, silence retreats, detox programs, or thalasso therapies.

11: We like animals

Some eco-travelers travel with dogs, others do not. But all of us always respect animals and avoid questionable attractions like swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or posing with monkeys on the beach. Something like sustainable whale watching is only done after a thorough investigation.

When you go whale watching, pay attention to the operators

12: We also save on things that “don’t” cost anything.

We do not accept disposable hotel amenities (such as slippers) as we have our own. We also avoid wasting water, heat or cool moderately (and with the windows closed), and turn off the lights when we leave the room.

13: We are interested and want to know more

How can an ice sauna be run sustainably?

The use of resources is an exciting topic for eco-travelers. During a vacation at the Birkenhof* Spa & Genussresort, they talk to Lukas Obendorfer about how a 5-star hotel can operate its various pools and saunas in an environmentally friendly way and take a tour of the combined heat and power plant and wood gasifier.

14: We go the distance

As eco-travelers, we put more effort into our research, walking instead of driving, etc. We don’t just take what’s available for the sake of convenience, and we prefer to do our research before we take a step or spend our money when we travel. And we don’t mind going the extra mile – if it makes us feel like we’re doing the right thing and standing up for “the good”.

15: We love the planet

An eco-traveler in the Hohe Tauern National Park

Eco-travelers see many beautiful things on their travels. We love the ocean, the mountains, the desert, the jungle, the flora and fauna, and all the wonders of this earth. But we also see that much of it is in danger. Climate change, melting glaciers, and species extinction are real – and we feel a responsibility to protect the planet and preserve it for future generations. So that the next generation of eco-travelers can continue their journeys.

Are you an eco-traveler?

Did you recognize yourself? How many of these points do you agree with? Hopefully not all of them, because then you wouldn’t be a real eco-traveler! An eco-traveler is not perfect and admits it. But perfection is not necessary. If we are all a little bit of an eco-traveler, then a lot has been done!