Koh Samui is one of the most breathtaking islands in the world. An idyllic tropical destination, it attracts droves of local and foreign tourists to its shores, reveling in its natural beauty, wealthy cultural heritage, and topnotch accommodation options like hotels and Koh Samui private villas. While a holiday in Koh Samui can ease the soul and calm the weariest of minds, it can’t be denied that traveling and tourism bring about their fair share of environmental concerns.
Reports show that about 8% of the world’s carbon emissions come from travel. Additionally, tourism is a known source of greenhouse gas emissions. How do you combine your love for visiting Koh Samui and your quest to reduce your carbon footprint? We’ve got the answers for you.
In this article, we’ll show you how to travel to Koh Samui and experience its beauty while being conscious of your carbon footprint.
Six Tips to Reducing Your Carbon Footprint When on a Koh Samui Holiday
We’ve come up with six sure-fire ways you can help preserve Koh Samui’s natural beauty and cultural heritage while having the best holiday you can have on this tropical island.
1. Plan Your Itinerary and Budgets Ahead of Time
Having a well-planned itinerary and budget before you even book your flights and accommodation to Koh Samui will help you make better choices regarding your sustainable options.
Koh Samui’s resorts, hotels, restaurants, and businesses have long practiced sustainability and eco-friendly policies that support the government’s efforts at making the island carbon-neutral by 2050. Planning early can create an itinerary and budget that supports businesses and activities that benefit the environment whether you’re going on island hopping or simply just touring within Koh Samui.
2. Choose Low-Emission Flights If Possible
Low-emission flights focus on reducing the carbon footprint of air travel, particularly by booking direct flights to destinations like Koh Samui. Nonstop flights are a more eco-friendly choice, as takeoffs and landings are responsible for the majority of flight emissions. By opting for a direct flight, travelers minimize the environmental impact, cutting down on fuel consumption and overall greenhouse gas emissions, making it a smarter and greener option for sustainable travel.
Related Reading: The Traveler’s Guide to Koh Samui Airport
3. Eat More Locally-Sourced Produce
One of the best things to include in your itinerary when visiting Koh Samui is sampling all the delicious local food on the island like some of their best seafood offerings. However, some restaurants and establishments focus more on imported goods. Opt for restaurants that use locally sourced produce instead.
Transporting goods from one place to another (such as from another country) means the food was transported by plane or ship, producing more carbon emissions than transporting goods in the locality.
Eating low on the food chain also helps lower your carbon footprint. This is because eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans means there is less of a process in producing these types of food. Livestock such as meat and dairy have been reported to account for 14.5% of the globe’s artificial greenhouse emissions.
4. Drive Less, Walk More
While driving is more convenient on a holiday, walking more is better if you want to contribute to the island’s efforts to reduce emissions. Reports show that the average car produces around 5 tons of CO2 yearly. But you can still do a few things if you choose not to walk like biking around the island.
Some of these ideas are using traffic apps such as Waze to reduce your time looking for routes to your destination, doing errands in one go, and using one car for your whole family or group rather than separate cars.
5. Support Sustainable Government Practices
The Thai government has continuously made efforts to promote sustainability and eco-conscious traveling, which include outlawing “unfriendly activities,” such as sea walking, smoking on beaches, removing marine life and corals, temporary closures of famous beaches, and so much more.
As a responsible and eco-conscious tourist, you must adhere to these laws, support the initiatives, and ensure your carbon footprint in Koh Samui is as tiny as possible.
Related Reading: Tips to Remember When Visiting the Leisure Paradise of Koh Samui
6. Reduce Plastic Use
Avoid plastic use by bringing a reusable bag when you shop, carrying a reusable water bottle, and avoiding asking for plastic bags when you purchase something from a store or stall. Koh Samui has a rich marine life and stunning natural beauty that must be protected from potential plastic waste and pollution. You can help prevent this by avoiding the use of plastic.
Final Thoughts
You may think you’re just one person or group traveling to Koh Samui, but every small action makes a big difference when consciously reducing one’s carbon footprint. By ensuring Koh Samui’s natural beauty, you can help leave behind an even more beautiful island for future generations.
Related Reading: The Allure of Koh Samui as a Premier Holiday Destination
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Featured Image by Thrillophilia
