<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>YouTube/Hostmaker</span></p><p class="caption">Hostmaker founder Nakul Sharma and an unknown woman in the company's promo video.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Hostmaker, a platform that helps Airbnb hosts manage their visits, has raised $2 million (£1.3 million) in venture capital funding. </p><p dir="ltr">The seed funding round, announced in a press release, was led by DN Capital, which has also backed music streaming app Shazam. Other investors include Avala Capital, DSG Consumer Partners, Delivery Hero cofounder Nikita Fahrenholz, and former managing director of Airbnb India and Middle East, Mohit Srivastava.</p><p dir="ltr">Hostmaker offers hosts two options:</p><p dir="ltr">They can either go for a flat-fee pay-as-you-go model, where existing Airbnb hosts can pick a hotel-style housekeeping and linen service or an in-person guest welcome in their absence, or a fully managed option where Hostmaker provides an end-to-end service.</p><p dir="ltr">The latter option involves the setting up of the listing, responding to enquiries, setting prices, presentation of the home before the guest arrives, and managing the guest experience so that guests have an unforgettable stay.</p><p dir="ltr">The company said the funding will be to improve its product and expand to other European capitals.</p><p dir="ltr">Nakul Sharma, founder and CEO of Hostmaker, said there is a vast amount of inconsistency across homestay listings featured on platforms like Airbnb, onefinestay and Love Home Swap. </p><p dir="ltr">"The uncertainty of not knowing what you are going to get is still a hurdle for many to book a home on Airbnb. Hostmaker's aim is to bring hotel-quality consistent standards to homes across the world without losing the uniqueness of the homes themselves. I am glad to have found investors who believe in our vision and are excited by it." </p><p dir="ltr">Hostmaker's Airbnb management services are currently available in London, Barcelona and Rome - serving about 5,000 guests every month.</p><p dir="ltr">Lawrence Barclay, investment manager at DN Capital, said: "After looking in detail at this market, and recognising the clear value proposition for Airbnb hosts, we are delighted to lead the investment in Hostmaker. We are incredibly impressed by the progress that Nakul and his team have made, and look forward to being part of fueling future growth." </p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/cant-post-tsu-facebook-instagram-social-media-competitor-2015-11">Facebook and Instagram won't let you mention or post links from this competitor</a></h3>        <div>            <div>        <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="J0azlxeDqwxvfMtE7ZA4TjQ-szQGx-pg" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>        </div>        </div>            </div>

A startup that 'breeds Airbnb superhosts' has raised $2 million for its housekeeping and concierge service

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some white-collar parents are leaving their jobs to take family gap years.</li><li>They say it's a reprieve from American life and a way to spend time with their children.</li></ul><p>Claire Williams and her husband Matt had what you might call a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/infp/comments/13874zk/most_americans_today_have_what_are_known_as/">Cadillac problem</a>.</p><p>They were trying to figure out how to best use some money they'd saved. They thought about buying another home or adding an extension to their current one, but while spending time with their kids in quarantine, they realized what they needed more than anything was time.</p><p>"We thought, how do you buy time?" Claire, 40, told Business Insider. "The answer we came up with was stepping off the hamster wheel out of the daily grind."</p><p>So, Matt left his job of 11 years at an architecture and engineering firm and they set off in June 2022 to travel the world for a year with their then 13-,10-, and 7-year-olds to bond, broaden their worldview, and show the kids "that there are many different ways to live, work, and be happy," said Claire, a stay-at-home mom.</p><p>From surfing in Sri Lanka to riding camels in the Sahara, they traveled to six continents and 26 countries. They rented out their Bay Area house, cooked a lot while on the road, and meticulously budgeted for each country, estimating that they spent just shy of $100,000 living abroad for a year, excluding flights, insurance, and back-at-home costs like a storage unit.</p><p>Family gap years like this are a chance for 30- and 40-something white-collar parents who have enough cash to leave their jobs behind to show their kids a different way of life. It's a sabbatical with a twist — the kids are in tow and they're leaving their schools behind, too. Parents said they typically mix homeschooling on the road with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theworld.school/">worldschooling</a>, which prioritizes immersive travel as education.</p><p>For a certain set, making a non-traditional move like leaving it all behind to take your kids around the world became even more appealing when the pandemic forced us to rethink life's possibilities.</p><p>It's sticking around as the world somewhat normalizes; Reddit is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/askSingapore/comments/1ary3p0/family_gap_year/">littered with threads</a> looking for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AskIreland/comments/1aokv9h/has_anyone_here_had_a_family_gap_year_in_spain_or/">family gap year advice</a>, which posters can easily find in various <a target="_blank" href="https://slowcamino.com/">blogs</a>. Travel with immediate family is the top travel trend for 2024, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.virtuoso.com/getmedia/90c4929f-3d17-4bf2-ae87-4fad8dc38a52/2024-Luxe-Report-Global-Release_FINAL.aspx">per travel network Virtuoso's Luxe Report</a>. Parents said that while traveling for a year makes finding alone time hard and planning on the go is tiring, the family time is priceless and it can be an escape from the stresses of the modern American economy.</p><h2>'We wanted to enjoy our kids while we were still their favorite people'</h2><p>The 2020s economic landscape sent some families packing their bags. More than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.statista.com/chart/26186/number-of-people-quitting-their-jobs-in-the-united-states/#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20more%20than%2050,a%20red%20hot%20labor%20market.">50 million Americans</a> quit their jobs in 2022 as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/special-burnout-stress">burnout and work stress</a> soared. Inflation hit a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-report-cpi-september-prices-rent-fed-rates-recession-outlook-2022-10">40-year high</a>, leading to the Federal Reserve trying to fight back by raising interest rates.</p><p>At the same time, those who owned real estate and stocks saw <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennials-saw-wealth-grow-double-during-pandemic-2024-4">a major spike in wealth,</a> and those who worked from home found increased flexibility, both sparking new possibilities in lifestyle.</p><p>Jennifer Spatz, founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.globalfamilytravels.com/">Global Family Travels</a>, said she started receiving requests two-and-a-half-years ago in a newly vaccinated world from families looking to travel and educate their children for a year. She now offers a family gap year and extended travel planning service for $80 to $100 an hour. Once itineraries are approved, she works with travel partners to collect commissions on hotels and experiences.</p><p>"It could expand into a big business," she said, adding that her family gap year clients typically have disposable income and kids around 8 to 11 years old. Parents agreed that pre-high school years are the prime time, while kids are young enough to still value family time and old enough to absorb new experiences.</p><p>"We wanted to enjoy our kids while we were still their favorite people," said Amy Chang, 44. "If we took time off when they get to high school or college, that doesn't do us any good in building relationships with them because they're going to have their own lives by then."</p><p>Chang and her husband Allen were among the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/pandemic-pushes-us-doctor-burnout-all-time-high-63">63% of physicians </a>burned out after working through COVID-19. She said their jobs put them in a privileged position to save money, as did having few student loans, living in a house they could afford on one salary, and driving the same car for 12 years. With a solid financial cushion to cover a year's mortgage and traveling, they left central Massachusetts with their then 9- and 7-year-olds in August 2022 for a road trip around the US to visit national parks before heading off to Asia and Europe.</p><div type="image" title="Amy Chang and her family in Venice, Italy" height="480" width="640" msid="109759636" hostid="261"></div><p>They rented an RV from a local family, cooked on the go, and stayed in Airbnbs. They stayed under budget, which included their savings plus room for an emergency fund after returning home.</p><p>"Even though it was a huge expense, it was worth it…even if it means working a little longer on the tail end of our careers," she said.</p><h2><strong>World lessons, no classroom required</strong></h2><p>No family gap year is complete without immersive travel. Parents said they've read<strong> </strong>"The Iliad" while in Greece, attended worship services from different religions, and taught their kids how to navigate a foreign city — all parts of their desire to provide their kids with real-world schooling.</p><p>They typically value regenerative tourism, which involves giving back and positively impacting places as you travel. They want a local's experience rather than a cruise or all-inclusive resort, Spatz said. She often plans trips that involve work and education aligned with the <a target="_blank" href="https://sdgs.un.org/goals">United Nations Sustainable Development Goals</a>, like gender equality or access to clean water. For example, one of her families will be wrapping up their gap year in July in a remote Nepal village, working with a woman who started a school.</p><p>"It's learning about the different cultures and history, but taking the kids out of that traditional classroom," she said.</p><p>Claire wanted to "get beyond the surface" by participating in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.workaway.info/">Workaway</a>, in which they stayed with local families in exchange for helping them around the home. In Sydney, Australia, they helped a family clean chicken coops on a 300-acre cattle farm. In Santiago, Chile, they helped care for baby quails on a poultry farm. It allowed them to save money and live with locals side-by-side, she said.</p><p>Marisa Vitale, 47, has been experiencing different ways people live around the world, often choosing non-touristy areas to understand how the neighborhood works. She and her family lived in a Spanish-intensive homestay in Guatemala, with an indigenous Hmong family in Vietnam, and in an Argentine estancia to learn how the gauchos work the land.</p><p>For her 11-year-old-twins, she said has been "a masterclass in history and anthropology," adding that her kids write reports and create art projects for each country they visit.</p><p>"Right when they're on the cusp of becoming young adults, what better way to understand who they are and how they feel in their skin than to take them through a wide variety of ways to live," she wrote over email from "deep in the desert" of Jordan, where they were staying in a Bedouin cave. "Empathy, kindness, and patience are the main things I take away from traveling. We wanted our kids to see those in so many different faces and places across the globe."</p><div type="image" title="Marisa Vitale and family" height="3088" width="2316" msid="109759639" hostid="261"></div><p>Her family plans to return to their Los Angeles home, which they rented out, this July. She halted her work as a self-employed photographer and her husband is on a yearlong sabbatical from his 15-year government job. While their monthly budget changes depending on where they're traveling, she estimates that they spend about $10,000 a month between lodging and general expenses, with a small amount of leeway for splurging on an experience.</p><h2><strong>A year later</strong></h2><p>A gap year also proves educational for parents. It helped Chang and her husband recalibrate their work lives. She's now doing shift work as an OB-GYN hospitalist — a better work-life balance than her previous work in private practice — and her husband is doing a fellowship to figure out how physicians can use AI.</p><p>"He wouldn't have been able to research or think about that at all if he hadn't had the time off," she said.</p><p>Re-entry was a little harder for Claire, despite Matt returning to his previous job. She said traveling cost them an average of $261 per day, less per day than their daily life in California. That included food and beverage, lodging, entertainment and experiences, ground transportation and fuel, and miscellaneous living expenses like medicine or SIM cards.</p><p>"When you remove your mortgage, gas, insurance — there are so many little things that are gone when you're on the road," she said.</p><p>Right now, they're living in Salt Lake City for two years as they contemplate what's next and prepare to launch a podcast about their travels. She hopes to keep the adventure going.</p><p>"Our time abroad felt not overwhelmed by consumerism," she said. "In the U.S., everything from highways to shopping to grocery stores is just really big and loud. So much of our gap year was really quiet and authentic and simple."</p>

Some millennial and Gen X parents are leaving it all behind to spend 6 figures on a family gap year. Here's how they budget and 'worldschool' their kids. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>While <keyword id="394841" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="wildfires">wildfires</keyword> burn across <keyword id="2379" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="California">California</keyword>, communities and hospitality organizations are coming together to help house evacuees.</li><li>Some areas are opening up more <keyword id="18966" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Hotel">hotel</keyword> rooms and lodging to evacuees, and others are offering reduced rates to those in need.</li><li>Airbnb is also offering free shelter through its Open Homes program, and Wag Hotels will host furry friends.</li></ul><p>As <a href="https://www.businessinsider.co.za/california-wildfires-have-torched-more-than-one-million-acres-2020-8">wildfires continue to burn across California</a>, local communities are coming together to offer evacuees steeply discounted lodging at hotels and opening up their homes to those who need a place to stay. </p><p>That includes furry family members too, with one service providing bedding, food, and 24-hour care for both cats and dogs of families who have been forced to vacate their homes. </p><p>As evacuees search for somewhere safe while also grappling with the challenges of the pandemic, these are some of the resources available for those impacted by the current Northern California fires. </p><h2><strong>Communities coming together</strong></h2><p>Initial shelter in place orders mandated by Mendocino County stated that only 75% of a hotel, motel, campground, or RV park could be occupied by visitors. But <a href="https://visitmendocino.com/">Mendocino County</a> is now temporarily considering guests "long-term renters" instead of temporary lodgers following a decision made by Dr. Noemi Doohan, Mendocino County Health Officer, in cooperation with the county. This aims at encouraging evacuees to occupy isolated spaces such as hotel rooms, as opposed to crowded spaces. </p><p>"Because evacuees might otherwise have to go to community shelters, crowd into family homes, or seek other forms of congregate housing, the public health risks of filling transient lodging to capacity are outweighed by the risks of turning evacuees away," Doohan <a href="https://www.mendocinocounty.org/community/shelter-in-place">said on the Mendocino County's shelter in place FAQ</a>. </p><p>The county is providing live updates on fire status <a href="https://twitter.com/countymendocino?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">via Twitter.</a></p><h2><strong>Santa Cruz is providing live updates and a roster of available lodging</strong></h2><p>Santa Cruz is providing<a href="https://www.santacruz.org/travel-advisory-information/"> live updates </a>on the blaze from CalFire via the Visit Santa Cruz website — and linking to a <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bgDTjBTF2S_OMOOQ3-RTttdm6VB-Y0BuSua4gRv5q0U/edit?urp=gmail_link&amp;gxids=76287628">real-time roster </a>of local and regional hotel rooms with open availability. The list is currently sitting close to 60 properties and growing, with confirmed availability and discounted rates for displaced evacuees who need shelter as far south as Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo, all the way up to Santa Cruz County. </p><p>"The more we can work together to support one another, the better it can be," Christina Glynn, communications director of Visit Santa Cruz County, told Business Insider. She said that nearby counties have been working with each other to offer safe lodging for evacuees across county lines. </p><p>"With this overflow that we have, offering available rooms regionally is a huge help," she said. According to <a href="https://www.santacruz.org/travel-advisory-information/">an August 23 release from the County of Santa Cruz</a>, there's also a selection of properties in the works to be offered by the county, available to stay in free of charge. </p><p>Sonoma County has also created a <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/sh/akiuh8j1hn9vcqj/AADtV4iGt2VLB6zcbXc2jIfNa?dl=0">landing page</a> of available lodging, which is updated daily at 10 a.m., and includes information on properties offering reduced rates for fire evacuees and <a href="https://www.sonomacounty.com/fire">updates on fire containment</a>. On the Monterey Peninsula, over 60 hotel properties are offering reduced rates for those affected by the three fires raging in the Tri-County area. Evacuees can find updated information on the<a href="https://www.seemonterey.com/resources/travel-alert/"> See Monterey website.</a></p><h2><strong>Team San Jose works with regional hotels to offer special rates for those in need </strong></h2><p>In partnership with the Mayor's Office, the Office of Economic Development, Silicon Valley Strong — Team San Jose, and the region's hotels have created a special program offering <a href="https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1765/4699">reduced rates in local hotels</a> for those in need. </p><p>Additionally, Team San Jose has assisted in finding accommodations for first responders, including firefighters and American Red Cross <keyword id="38387" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="emergency">emergency</keyword> workers. </p><p>The "San Jose Cares" rates start at $99, and are available at more than ten area hotels. Guests can contact the properties directly to ask for the "San Jose Cares" rate or visit the <a href="https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1765/4699">Team San Jose website</a> for more information. </p><p>"My deep appreciation to our hotel partners and Team San José for opening their doors with these very low "San José Cares" rates for our evacuating families," said San Jose mayor Sam Liccardo. "Together, we're showing that we are Silicon Valley Strong."</p><div type="image" title="DOCK (1)" height="3024" width="4032" msid="77806468" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Cost-free homestays </strong></h2><p>Airbnb is offering cost-free shelter to evacuees courtesy of the Airbnb Open Homes program. </p><p>The idea for the Open Homes program originally came from an Airbnb host in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy hit New York and left tens of thousands of New Yorkers stranded. One of the company's longtime hosts decided to offer her home for free to her neighbors who were forced to evacuate — and Airbnb was so inspired by her generosity that the Open Homes program was created. </p><p>It is now an official part of Airbnb, offered to those who are seeking a medical stay, refugee housing, or emergency shelter due to a natural disaster. Anyone can sign up to become a host via Open Homes — all it takes is for interested hosts to create a profile on Airbnb's <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/openhomes">Open Homes website</a>, wait for a request, and agree on dates for visitors' arrival. </p><p>Right now the company is especially seeking to increase the number of homes they're able to offer to evacuees of the Northern California fires, as well as working with their current host communities and local partners. </p><p><strong>"</strong>The scope of the fires has created an enormous need for temporary housing via our Open Homes program, and we encourage anyone who is interested in opening up their homes to those displaced by the fires to <a href="http://airbnb.com/norcalfires20m">visit Airbnb's Norcal Fire housing website </a>to learn more about how they can help," said an Airbnb spokesperson. </p><h2><strong>Lodging for furry friends </strong></h2><p>Wag Hotels is offering complimentary boarding to furry friends affected by the wildfires burning across California. The organization is providing bedding, food, and 24-hour care for both cats and dogs of families who have been forced to vacate their homes and need somewhere safe to leave their furry family members. Pet owners searching for a safe place to house pets as a result of <keyword id="406324" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="evacuations">evacuations</keyword> can contact 888-WAG-LINE or find their nearest Wag Hotels location at <a href="http://www.waghotels.com">www.waghotels.com</a>. </p><div type="image" title="A dog with a treat." height="3839" width="5119" msid="77806470" hostid="261"></div><h2><strong>Luxurious local locations to escape</strong></h2><p>Regional luxury properties are also lowering their traditional rates significantly for evacuees seeking more upscale accommodations to safely escape. </p><div type="image" title="Meritage_Pool_Resort_View_3" height="1668" width="2223" msid="77806472" hostid="261"></div><p>In southern Sonoma County, the <a href="https://www.fairmont.com/sonoma/">Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn</a> is extending an evacuation rate of $199 per night — which includes family pets. In the East Bay, <a href="https://www.fairmont.com/claremont-berkeley/">Claremont Club &amp; Spa</a> in Berkeley is offering a discounted evacuee rate of $189 per night, waiving pet fees for up to two animals and waiving resort charges. </p><p>In Sacramento, <a href="https://www.sawyerhotel.com/">The Kimpton Sawyer</a> is offering a reduced rate of $149 per night for those in evacuation zones. The <a href="https://meritagecollection.com/vista-collina/discover/napa-valley-updates">Meritage Resort and Spa</a> in Napa Valley is offering 30% off rates and waiving the pet and resort fee for evacuees of the Napa fires. The <a href="http://www.brewerygulchinn.com/">Brewery Gulch Inn</a> on the Mendocino Coast is offering specific rooms for evacuees at half their normal price. These rooms are reserved for evacuees and cannot be reserved on the property's website; interested visitors must call the inn directly at 707-937-4752 to book.</p>

California hotels and communities are hosting people's pets and offering free or discounted housing to help those impacted by wildfires

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Holidays are a booming time for travel and often involve over-tourism and carbon-intensive trips.</li><li>By opting for trains over planes and gifting experiences instead of objects, you can travel more responsibly.</li></ul><p>Whether you're <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sustainability-efforts-at-ski-resorts-conflict-with-visitor-flights-2021-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skiing down slopes</a> or soaking up the sun, the holidays are often synonymous with travel. </p><p>The day before Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve are three of the busiest days to travel, according to <a href="https://traveltips.usatoday.com/top-10-worst-travel-days-106014.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">USA Today</a>. And a bustling travel season often puts a <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strain on holiday destinations and the environment</a>. </p><p>Thankfully, experts agree that travelers can do things — like opting to take a train instead of a plane or skipping the holiday turkey — to reduce their carbon footprint during their holiday travels and support winter destinations. </p><h1>First, choose a destination with the planet in mind</h1><h2><div type="image" title="One expert recommends to start planning your holiday vacation by deciding what type of trip you want." height="900" width="1200" msid="95564729" hostid="261" sizebytes="118114"></div></h2><h2><strong>Start by evaluating what you want out of your holiday trip</strong></h2><p>Before landing on a destination, travelers should first consider what type of trip they want, Tim Williamson, the customer director for <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Responsible Travel</a>, a UK-based travel company that evaluates trips and vacation providers, told Insider.</p><p> "Are you looking for an adventure, some culture, or to curl up in a log cabin away from it all?" Williamson said. </p><p>Experts agreed that the best approach to choosing a destination is to search for places that are reachable by car or train and don't experience over-tourism during winter.</p><h2><strong>Avoid flying — or do it more sustainably</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Bernina Express train in the snowy landscape of Engadin, Switzerland." height="999" width="1332" msid="95564731" hostid="261" sizebytes="241210"></div><p>Williamson said travelers should try to pick a reachable destination without flying — especially if their trip is short. </p><p>Train travel is often a more sustainable alternative, Kaitlyn Brajcich, the senior manager for communications and training at <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Sustainable Travel International</a>, an organization that works with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to provide sustainable travel opportunities, told Insider.</p><p>As <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider previously reported</a>, plane alternatives typically require less carbon. For example, planes can emit six times more carbon per passenger mile than trains, according to <a href="https://time.com/6108578/why-flying-is-more-expensive-than-taking-the-train/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Time</a>. Cars can also be more carbon efficient than planes, especially if you're carpooling and driving shorter distances, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experts previously told Insider</a>. </p><p>Calculators like the ones offered by the <a href="https://www.icao.int/environmental-protection/Carbonoffset/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">International Civil Aviation Organization</a> and <a href="https://www.edf.org/travel-footprint-calculator" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Environmental Defense Fund</a> can help travelers map out the least carbon-intensive way to get from point A to B.</p><p>If you have to fly, "perhaps make the winter holidays your big trip and have a special, longer break with family," Williamson said. The longer you're in a destination, the better it is for "you, the planet, and the local communities who feel the benefits of your extended stay," he added.</p><p>If you're meeting with family members from around the world, Brajcich recommends choosing a place that's centrally located and accessible by public transportation or a direct flight. </p><p>No matter how you get there, think about purchasing carbon offsets for the trip, Brajcich said. While experts agree that carbon offsets aren't a solution to sustainable travel, the money will go toward reducing or removing carbon emissions. </p><p>"The end of the year is an ideal time to think about offsetting your travel carbon footprint," Brajcich said. If you decide to purchase offsets, purchase them through a reliable, vetted program. Responsible Travel has an <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/reducing-co2-emissions" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">online carbon calculator</a> that helps travelers calculate and offset the emissions from past trips. </p><h2><strong>Pick places that aren't advertised as holiday getaways</strong></h2><p>"In many destinations, tourism peaks right around the holidays," Brajcich said. </p><p>With crowds of people flooding the same destinations simultaneously, this can lead to over-tourism. Too many tourists can damage fragile environments and push locals out of their homes and communities, the<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2019/06/17/were-age-overtourist-you-can-avoid-being-one-them/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored"> Washington Post reported</a>.</p><p>"Consider swapping a big ski resort – many of which use damaging fake snow – for something different, like wildlife watching in Yellowstone, snowshoeing, or chasing the northern lights," Williamson said. </p><p>"Or look at an off-season destination – Greece is still beautiful in winter, and you can explore it without the crowds," he said.</p><p>If you're set on visiting a popular winter hotspot, experts said it might be wise to reconsider your timing. </p><h1>Figure out when to go</h1><h2><strong><div type="image" title="A family walks down an empty street in Yucatan, Mexico." height="1000" width="1334" msid="95564734" hostid="261" sizebytes="176306"></div></strong></h2><h2>Avoid over-tourism by planning your trip before Christmas or after New Year's</h2><p>"If your schedule is flexible, try traveling a little before or after the holidays to avoid the crowds and get the added benefit of cheaper rates," Brajcich said. </p><p>Visiting destinations during their non-peak times "spreads the benefits of tourism locally across the year and lightens the burden of over-tourism in popular destinations," Justin Francis, the cofounder and CEO of <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Responsible Travel</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously told Insider</a>. His company, Responsible Travel, <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/holidays/where-to-go-when/travel-guide" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">created a guide that outlines the best time to visit certain destinations</a>. </p><h2>Off-peak travel = lower carbon emissions</h2><p>On a smaller scale, Williamson suggests travelers avoid scheduling flights, trains, and road trips around peak times. </p><p>These rush-hour times often involve travelers waiting in traffic, which means travelers will spend more time and carbon emissions getting to their destination.</p><p>Or take Brajcich's advice and skip the traffic altogether. </p><p>"Airport traffic can be an absolute nightmare around the holidays. All the people idling in cars and pumping out emissions is not good for the planet," she said. "Cut down your carbon footprint and make it less stressful for your family members by taking public transit to/from the airport instead of making them sit in traffic."  </p><h1>Make smart decisions throughout your stay</h1><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Piñatas often decorate the streets of Mexico during Christmastime." height="1000" width="1333" msid="95564736" hostid="261" sizebytes="163576"></div><h2>Consume less heat and electricity while you're away</h2><p>Don't forget to prep your home so it's not draining resources while you're away, Brajcich said.</p><p>That includes turning off your Christmas lights or putting them on a timer and remembering to turn down the heat. If you have a smart home, you can also do this from the comfort of your beach chair or ski lift.</p><h2><strong>Where you sleep matters, too</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="A mother and son sit on a balcony behind a winter wonderland." height="1000" width="1333" msid="95564739" hostid="261" sizebytes="72336"></div><p>Skip major hotel chains and short-term rentals owned by corporations. Instead, opt for a place you know is locally-owned, like a bed and breakfast or campsite. </p><p>"[Hotels and short-term rentals] might be convenient, but they're literally pricing local people out of their own homes and communities," Williamson said. "Stay somewhere where locals benefit – where the profit stays and local jobs are created."</p><p>Williamson said homestays and accommodations attached to people's homes signal that a property is locally-owned. He added that companies like <a href="https://fairbnb.coop/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Fairbnb</a> are working to create a similar Airbnb experience by working directly with the local hosts.  </p><p>If those options don't work, find hotels that operate more sustainably. </p><p>As <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Insider previously reported</a>, travelers should search for specifics beyond being "eco-friendly." Look for accommodations with written policies about how they work with local communities, prevent food waste, and help environmental initiatives like reforestation or ocean conservation. </p><p>"If they've made a commitment to the communities, to the destination, and they understand that they're part of the community, that is what's important," Gregory Miller, the executive director of the international nonprofit <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Center for Responsible Travel</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">previously told Insider</a>.</p><h2><strong>Skip the holiday turkey and opt for local dishes instead</strong></h2><p>If you're traveling to a new destination for the holidays, try local dishes instead of cooking what you traditionally make around this time.</p><p>"If you've traveled somewhere totally different, it's a great opportunity to explore <a href="https://www.insider.com/holiday-food-around-the-world-2018-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">local food traditions</a>, even at Christmas," Williamson told Insider. "And by sticking with local produce and upping your plant-based and organic dishes, you'll significantly curb your holiday carbon 'foodprint' and benefit local producers."</p><p>For example, oysters from the coast of France are often paired with Champagne around Christmastime in the country, <a href="https://tasteoffrancemag.com/trending/celebrate-christmas-the-french-way-with-oysters-and-champagne/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Taste of France</a> reports. Or if you're traveling to Greece, dine on yiaprakia, which are stuffed cabbage leaves served at the Christmas dinner table, according to <a href="https://theculturetrip.com/europe/greece/articles/a-guide-to-greek-christmas-foods/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Culture Trip</a>.</p><p>Brajcich added that "the same applies to drinks; sip on ciders made from locally-grown apples or a winter ale from a local brewery."</p><h2><strong>Rethink how you give gifts on vacation</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="The Romerberg Christmas Market in Frankfurt, Germany" height="1125" width="1500" msid="95564741" hostid="261" sizebytes="373004"></div><p>Gift-giving is typical during the holidays, whether you're home or thousands of miles away. Experts agree that<a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/gifts/experience-gifts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> giving experiences instead of tangible objects</a> is one of the most sustainable ways to give gifts. </p><p>One idea Williamson suggested is having your group agree to buy gifts during the holiday vacation. This sets up an ideal opportunity to gift experiences. </p><p>"You could check out local craft markets and meet local creators, give a loved one a theatre visit, a local class, or a special tour," Williamson said. "That way, you're gifting an experience or product that gives back to the place you're visiting and can create special memories."</p><p>Irajcich said it's more sustainable to ship gifts directly to the recipient before or after your trip if you do decide to give pre-purchased gifts </p><p>"Your family members will appreciate not having to squeeze items into their carry-on or pay for an extra checked bag. Plus, the lighter luggage means a lower carbon footprint when traveling by plane," she said. </p><p>And skip the wrapping paper. </p><p>"Gift paper creates mountains of unrecyclable waste — it's also easily torn while traveling," Williamson said. So consider wrapping your gifts in old fabric, recycled gift bags, or craft paper you already have at home.</p><h2><strong>Plan holiday activities with the planet in mind</strong></h2><p>Holiday activities look different for everyone, but there are ways you can explore a new destination responsibly. </p><p>"Do some research in advance into the local holiday traditions in the destination you are visiting so that you can immerse yourself in the culture and experience new holidays or ways to celebrate," Brajcich said.  </p><p>For example, according to Apartment Therapy, piñatas are a popular Christmastime activity in Mexico. If you're traveling to Mexico, consider purchasing a piñata from a local vendor and celebrating your Christmas with that tradition instead.</p><p>And when you arrive, connect and talk to locals, who can give you insight into a destination's hidden gems.</p><p>Williamson said finding these under-the-radar activities can be even more critical if you're visiting a place that's popular during winter. </p>

How to travel sustainably during the holidays, according to experts

<p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/one-planet"></a></p><div type="image" title="A busy street of people, signs, and lights, in Tokyo." height="1666" width="2222" msid="99592271" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>This spring, I'm planning to travel from the US to two of Japan's major cities: Tokyo and Kyoto.</li><li>Before jetting off, I spoke with two sustainability experts about how to make it a greener trip.</li><li>They told me to swap a Starbucks visit for something local, fly direct, and stay in fewer hotels.</li></ul><p>Japan has been calling my name for years. It's home to striking mountains and diverse nature juxtaposed with futuristic cities, ancient temples, tempting foods, and welcoming people.</p><p>And this year, I was determined to get there. But before I boarded a plane, I had decisions to make: Which cities to visit? Which hotels to book? Which tours to join? Where to eat?</p><p>The options felt endless, and on top of narrowing down my must-visit ramen shops and day trips from Tokyo, I wanted to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9">try to make the trip more sustainable</a>. While I love to travel, I also love the planet, and I've learned those two things are often at odds.</p><p>Aviation, for instance, produced 2.4% of the world's carbon-dioxide emissions in 2018, according to a 2021 paper published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1352231020305689" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow sponsored">Atmospheric Environment</a>. Meanwhile, popular tourist destinations are struggling with overtourism, <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-travel-more-sustainably-without-harming-destinations-2022-9">which can displace locals and damage natural ecosystems</a>.</p><p>So when it came to planning a trip to Japan, I wanted to limit my damage. I drafted a rough itinerary and shared it with two experts.</p><p>I spoke with Paloma Zapata, the CEO of <a href="https://sustainabletravel.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Travel International</a>, which works with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits to provide sustainable travel opportunities; and Sarah Faith, a content and communications manager at <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Responsible Travel</a>, a UK travel company that evaluates trips and vacation providers on their sustainability measures.</p><p>The pair analyzed my itinerary and shared advice meant to help my trip have more positive impacts. Some tips were simple, like extending hotel stays, while other suggestions were larger undertakings. Here's a closer look at their advice.</p><h2><strong>The pros urged me to evaluate the time of year for my planned visit</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="People at a cherry blossom festival in kyoto, japan." height="2336" width="3114" msid="99592274" hostid="261"></div><p>Japan's busiest tourism season is early spring. According to an analysis by Kansai University published in <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-cherry-blossoms/#xj4y7vzkg">Bloomberg</a>, about 63 million people travel to and within Japan at this time for the country's <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/spring-vacations/japanese-cherry-blossoms-peak-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-type="internalLink">sakura season</a>, or cherry-blossom season.</p><p>During these spring months, cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are teeming with cherry blossoms, and after hearing about the pastel colors that fill the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto, I wanted to see them for myself.</p><p>The two sustainability experts pointed out that visiting Japan during its high season wouldn't be the most responsible choice.</p><p>"I don't want to dissuade you from experiencing the cherry blossoms, but in general you should avoid high season," Zapata said.</p><p>"There's a real kind of fear of overtourism," Faith said. "There's been reports of it in Kyoto especially. People flooding in and big hordes of people starting to erode some of the local culture and the local ambiance that that city is known for."</p><p>They said an off-season trip was better since it'd help spread the economic benefits of tourism across the year and remove some of the burden on certain attractions.</p><p>Plus, Zapata added there's a chance I'd have a better trip during shoulder season. Experiences are less likely to be sold out given the smaller crowds, and it'll probably be cheaper too, she said.</p><p>Still, the two experts said that if I'm determined to visit during cherry-blossom season — and I am — there are still ways I could have less of a negative impact on the region. For example, Faith said I could look into homestays, visit less-populated areas outside Tokyo, and hire local guides, which would help spread the economic benefits of my trip.</p><h2><strong>Next, we discussed the length of my trip</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="The Nakasendo trail, the pathway connecting Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan." height="1000" width="1333" msid="99592276" hostid="261"></div><p>Both Zapata and Faith said that the more time you spend in one destination, the better, since longer trips in fewer places mean lower carbon emissions.</p><p>For example, instead of spending a week flying between four European countries, plan a 10-day trip to one or two.</p><p>It's even more important to consider length when your trip involves a flight because airplane travel produces high carbon emissions. Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive ways to travel, according to an <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/travel-carbon-footprint" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our World in Data</a> analysis, which used data from the UK government's <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/901692/conversion-factors-2020-methodology.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 methodology paper for greenhouse-gas reporting</a>. </p><p>Zapata generally recommends spending at least seven days in any destination that requires a flight, though she acknowledges that "not everyone has the luxury to travel that long."</p><p>Currently, I'm planning on spending eight days in Japan split between two cities. One way my trip could have a more positive impact would be by adding days to my itinerary, Zapata said. More days in a destination means more money in locals' hands, Faith said, as opposed to spending money traveling between places.</p><p>Luckily, moving between destinations will be more sustainable in Japan, since the country has a robust public transportation and train system. This means I'll emit fewer emissions once I'm there.</p><h2><strong>My flight will make up the majority of the trip's carbon footprint</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="A screenshot of flights from Denver to Tokyo showing flight times, connections, CO2 emissions, and prices. The CO2 emissions on four flights range from 508 kilograms to 1,091 kilograms." height="898" width="1197" msid="99592277" hostid="261"></div><p>A flight from my home in Denver to Tokyo will easily be the most unsustainable part of my trip.</p><p>So Faith urged me to book a flight with the fewest layovers. <a href="https://www.aviationfile.com/what-stage-of-a-flight-consumes-the-most-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Planes use more fuel when they take off and taxi</a>, so a flight route that lands less often will produce less carbon emissions, Faith said. Additionally, Zapata urged me to find a flight with the most direct path to Tokyo.</p><p>"The longer you're flying, the more fuel is being burned," Zapata said.<strong><br /></strong></p><p>Both experts said <a href="https://www.google.com/flights/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Google Flights</a>' carbon-dioxide-emissions information was a smart place to start. And after a quick search, I spotted a handful of airlines and routes I could take to get to Tokyo.</p><p>I could fly from Denver to Los Angeles, where I'd then take a 12-hour flight to Tokyo. According to Google estimates, this 16 ½-hour journey would produce about 780 kilograms a person of CO2.</p><p>A flight with a layover in Houston would create even more emissions because it's a less-direct route. It'd produce an estimated 1,091 kilograms a person of CO2 during the 18-hour trip, according to Google.</p><p>The flight with the fewest emissions would be a direct flight from Denver to Tokyo. That would produce both the least CO2 output estimated per passenger (516 kilograms) and the shortest trip (12 hours), according to Google.</p><p>Luckily for me, the direct flight from Denver to Tokyo costs the same as the indirect flights. Although I'd be willing to a pay extra for a flight that gets me to my destination quicker and also saves emissions.</p><h2>Other tips to lower my flight's carbon footprint</h2><div type="image" title="Aerial view of Tokyo from airplane window with the plane wing visible over the city." height="999" width="1332" msid="99592280" hostid="261"></div><p>To create fewer carbon emissions when traveling by plane, Zapata suggested I sit in economy class. Since business class, first class, and premium economy take up more space on a plane, those seats have larger carbon footprints when compared with economy. According to a report from the <a href="https://theicct.org/publication/co2-emissions-from-commercial-aviation-2013-2018-and-2019/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">International Council on Clean Transportation</a>, a business-class traveler creates 2.6 to 4.3 times more carbon dioxide per kilometer than a passenger in economy, depending on aircraft class.</p><p>For my Japan trip, I'll sit in economy class.</p><p>Faith also recommended flying on newer planes, which tend to be more fuel-efficient. According to the <a href="https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/pressroom/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-new-aircraft-technology/#:~:text=Each%20new%20generation%20of%20plane,better%20aerodynamics%2C%20and%20reduced%20weight." target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">International Air Transport Association</a>, newer airplanes typically have more efficient engines, better aerodynamics, and reduced weight, which in turn, reduces the plane's carbon emissions.</p><p>Finally, Faith said that when I go to purchase my airplane ticket, the airline might also offer me the opportunity to purchase sustainable aviation fuel. American Airlines, JetBlue, and Delta Air Lines are among airlines that get some of their fuel from sustainable sources such as waste, plants, and other organic matter, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/28/business/energy-environment/airlines-climate-planes-emissions.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CIt's%20a%20hard-to-,total%20U.S.%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions." target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a> reported.</p><p>Buying sustainable aviation fuel would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide entering the atmosphere in the first place, so it's money well spent, Faith said.</p><h2><strong>My itinerary initially involved 7 hotels, but I was urged to consolidate them</strong></h2><div type="image" title="A pair sits in a traditional Japanese ryokan." height="1000" width="1333" msid="99592281" hostid="261"></div><p>One of my favorite ways to explore a city is by sleeping in new places. I've spent nights in <a href="https://www.insider.com/magical-tiny-home-new-zealand-photos-2022-11">tiny homes</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/glamping-teardrop-camper-airbnb-review-photos-2022-7">campers</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/great-barrier-reef-rum-runner-hostel-sailboat-review-photos-2022-10">sailboats</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/anniversary-inn-salt-lake-city-safari-hotel-room-review-photos-2022-8">themed hotels</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/luxury-five-star-hotels-most-surprising-things-2022-1">luxury hotels</a>, <a href="https://www.insider.com/capsule-hotel-hostel-sydney-australia-review-photos-2022-9">hostels</a>, cabins, and tents.</p><p>I initially wanted a similar variety in Japan. The country's traditional ryokans enticed me with their tatami-mat flooring and communal dining areas. And since the country also <a href="https://www.nippon.com/en/features/jg00001/#:~:text=The%20first%20capsule%20hotel%20was,at%20Expo%20'70%20in%20Osaka.">invented the capsule hotel</a>, I wanted to make sure I experienced those as well.</p><p>When I first drafted my itinerary, I planned to sleep in seven places, which meant I was moving to a new hotel almost every day of my trip.</p><p>"That stuck out to me," Zapata said, adding that changing hotels so frequently might not be the most sustainable approach.</p><p>She said that by switching accommodations, I'd be creating unnecessary waste. More sets of sheets and towels will need to be washed, which creates extra water use, and I might use more complimentary toiletries, which are often wrapped in single-use plastic that ends up in a landfill.</p><p>Plus, moving hotels every day would probably mean more transportation, Zapata said. Since I don't want to drag a suitcase around Tokyo all day, I'd probably need to either drop my luggage off at a new hotel every morning or leave it at the original hotel and return to collect it in the evening, which would prompt extra taxi and subway rides.</p><p>After evaluating my accommodations, I cut a couple of my hotel stays. Now, I'm planning to spend five nights in one place, and with my tweaked itinerary I'll still be able to have ryokan and capsule experiences.</p><h2>I was also encouraged to pick hotels with proven sustainable initiatives</h2><p>Beyond staying in hotels longer, both Zapata and Faith mentioned that I should pick accommodations with sustainable practices.</p><p>I initially thought I might be staying at a sustainable hotel since it was classified as a "travel sustainable property" on Booking.com.</p><p>But Zapata and Faith said relying on those general titles wasn't enough. Instead, I need to do my own research. Zapata recommends evaluating hotels on five main categories: water, energy, culture, nature, and waste management.</p><p>According to Booking.com, my five-night hotel stay doesn't have single-use plastic, has water-efficient appliances, and includes some measures to save energy.</p><p>To me, this seemed like the bare minimum a "sustainable" hotel should do. Faith said I should also look into how the hotel reduces its waste, whether it has nature-friendly initiatives, where the hotel's food comes from, and whether it hires locals and pay them livable wages.</p><p>She added that a hotel focused on sustainability would most likely have a page on its website highlighting its efforts and initiatives.</p><p>As I looked into my five-night hotel, I learned it's operated by a larger company and found a page dedicated to sustainability, which answered some of my questions. For instance, I learned the hotel was creating natural spaces in the city by having a garden on the property that used recycled water. I also learned the hotel uses renewable electricity.</p><p>But the website didn't answer all my questions. I still didn't know whether the hotel employs people from its local community and whether food is sourced from nearby farms or is imported from around the world.</p><p>With unanswered questions, Faith suggested I reach out to the hotel directly.</p><p>"A hotel who is generally responsible and doing stuff will want to answer your questions and will be happy that you've asked," she said.</p><p>I did just that, and while I wait for answers, I plan to research other hotels that might have stronger sustainable initiatives.</p><h2><strong>Both Faith and Zapata recommended booking local experiences</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="People visit the Asakusa area in Tokyo, Japan." height="997" width="1330" msid="99592282" hostid="261"></div><p>Kyoto was the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Kyoto-Japan#:~:text=The%20capital%20of%20Japan%20for,Meiji%20Restoration%20(1868)%20when%20the">capital of Japan for 1,000 years</a>. It's filled with historic temples and shrines and also happens to be home to a Starbucks inside a 100-year-old machiya home, which are wooden townhouses that the merchant class lived in during the Edo era, according to <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/starbucks-ninenzaka-yasaka-chaya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atlas Obscura</a>.</p><p>Intrigued by the coffee shop's location, I added it to my itinerary. But both Faith and Zapata suggested swapping that for something local.</p><p>"The sense of history in Kyoto is incredible, so don't look at the history of Starbucks — go explore the history of Japan," Faith said.</p><p>Instead of Starbucks, I could seek out a Japanese tea ceremony or visit a locally owned coffee shop. Zapata said this would put money directly into the hands of community members instead of a major corporation like Starbucks.</p><p>This local-focused approach is one Zapata and Faith recommended I have for my entire trip.</p><p>For instance, I can ensure I'm booking tours and activities that are owned and operated by Japanese locals. That would prevent what Faith called "leakage," which is when the money you put into a trip goes toward international companies.</p><p>"Consider how much of that money actually stays in the destination you're going to, and how much of that goes back out to an international company," she said.</p><p>That's also why she recommends booking tours and activities directly, instead of with third-party companies, which take a cut of the profit. During my trip, I plan to tour a wasabi farm, but instead of booking the tour through Airbnb, I'll book it directly with the farmer on his personal website so he can receive 100% of the money.</p><p>Finally, Faith said many of these locally owned experiences could create a better trip. Local tour guides might show you off-the-beaten-path destinations, which create a more distinct experience for the traveler and spread both the physical and the economic load of the tourists visiting a city.</p><p>"When you travel in a way that is really rooted in local communities and in supporting local people, you get better a better holiday as a result of being more responsible," Faith said.</p><h2>The experts agreed there were things everyone could do to travel more sustainably</h2><div type="image" title="A view over the city of Tokyo with the skyline and Mount Fuji." height="1414" width="1885" msid="99592283" hostid="261"></div><p>While it may not be possible for everyone to fully incorporate all of their tips, Zapata and Faith said there were ways to make a trip greener no matter the time or budget.</p><p>Booking local tours and prioritizing stays in hotels with sustainability initiatives, for instance, won't necessarily be more expensive.</p><p>As I revise my Japan trip, I'll be looking for sustainable accommodations, will fly directly to the country, and will seek to embark on off-the-beaten-path adventures.</p><p><em>In case you missed it, </em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/xlSZrPlRGbA?feature=share&amp;utm_campaign=2023-04-10_OnePlanet_Spotlight&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;_hsmi=253843011&amp;_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8eurO34e0InvQHZUjwz1agwejnmaxG8o5PKT7ZARDs12Dw9j3qxegl0TXE_d5QDNkjAXhE4IoGWZvsqY69hu6wpQSiWQ&amp;utm_content=253843011&amp;utm_source=hs_email" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>watch a replay</em></a><em> of Insider's One Planet virtual event with activist and artist Elijah McKenzie-Jackson.</em></p>

I'm planning a trip to Japan. Sustainability experts reviewed my itinerary and shared 9 fixes to make it a more eco-conscious vacation.

From where you go to what you do, experts share how to travel the world without destroying it

<ul><li><keyword id="9585113" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="sowmya-iyer-founder-ceo">Sowmya Iyer, Founder &amp; CEO</keyword> of <keyword id="6605522" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="DViO-Digital">DViO Digital</keyword> writes how Covid-19 has accelerated the pace of adoption and achieved in two months what we may have otherwise done in 20 years.</li><li>She further writes what can brands expect and which way to steer their business. </li></ul>As a marketer of brands and businesses across a variety of sectors, I have been keenly observing the shifts and changes as they happen through the pandemic crisis that engulfs us today. Also, being an integral part of board room discussions for clients (read: “Zoom-room”!) conversations on "what next" for businesses, some key observations and patterns that we see emerge!<br /><br />While the degree of changes in all the above may vary, change is certain. What we do know is that we are entering an anxious new territory. What I do know is that businesses will need to be brave and demonstrate tremendous agility to survive and thrive in the coming times. Those who keep a keen eye out for their consumers and their changing lives will know exactly what to do or how to pivot, if and when required.<br /><br />Let’s pause and look at the things we are doing differently and ask ourselves whether we are likely to continue doing differently:<br /><br /><ol><li>Are we likely to travel differently?</li><li>Are we likely to buy differently?</li><li>Are we likely to work differently?</li><li>Are you likely to consume entertainment differently?</li><li>Are we likely to eat differently?</li><li>Are we likely to socialise differently?</li><li>Are we likely to exercise differently?</li><li>Are we likely to do healthcare differently?</li><li>Are we likely to study differently?</li></ol> The most dramatic change of all has been adoption of digital technology. The earlier shift to digital was at best a reluctant experiment for most businesses.<br /><br />Covid-19 has accelerated the pace of adoption and achieved in two months what we may have otherwise done in 20 years.<br /><br />So when travel, malls, retail outlets, universities, offices, gyms, healthcare clinics and restaurants return, what changes are they are likely to see?<br /><br />According to a recent McKinsey report:<br /><br /><ul><li>Net consumer optimism has declined. Consumers are spending more on essentials and not on discretionary categories.</li><li>Consumers are shifting to online and digital solutions as well as reduced-contact channels to get goods and services.</li><li>Consumers also want to see an ongoing emphasis on cleaning and safety.</li><li>Even though many countries have lifted stay-at-home restrictions, most consumers still feel the pull toward a “homebody economy.”</li></ul>Among other trends that we may observe, the low-to middle-income groups are likely to cut down on their spending more deeply than the middle-to-high income groups, who are not likely to cut down on their spending but spend on things that really matter to them and become more mindful of their spending.<br /><br />So coming to my original point, brands and businesses that have their ears and eyes open to their consumers will know which way to steer their business.<br /><br /><strong>What to expect<br /></strong><br /><strong>Travel: </strong>As travel opens up, people will choose to go to places that they can drive to and not need to use a public transport vehicle (flights, trains, buses). Thus, your typical weekend destinations will benefit and local tourism economy will flourish. Homestays, Airbnbs and resorts spread over large areas with lower density of people and more private areas will do better.<br /><br />Luxury travel is likely to take a new meaning. The aftermath of the shocks we encounter in life is typically pause and reflection. So also with this crisis, spiritual retreats, yoga retreats, wellness centres, meditation camps, and places that take you closer to nature are likely to take on the new definition of luxury. <br /><br /><strong>Buying and retail:</strong> E-commerce will become the norm, if it hasn’t already. The deep adoption that’s already happened renders it impossible to revert to earlier ways of shopping.<br /><br />With growth of e-commerce, the cost of going to market (GTM) for most brands in essentials, FMCG and wellness will reduce dramatically. More players will enter the market, offering stiff competition to established brands. The rate of innovation on products will be like never before<br /><br />Most will enjoy experimenting with new products with brand loyalty becoming a transitioning phenomenon. Customer reviews will become the new currency to build loyalty.<br /><br />For reasons I’ve mentioned earlier in this article, products that cue health and wellness, natural, immunity building and organic will do particularly well. The world will see more people turning to vegan and practising conscious eating.<br /><br />As people spend more time at home, home décor brands are likely to innovate and offer products and solutions to refresh homes on a regular basis.<br /><br /><strong>Healthcare and Hospitals:</strong> Telemedicine will finally become a reality. Doctors and hospitals would have adopted the digital wave like they probably never imagined.<br /><br />Remote robotic surgeries will become the norm, and this technology will also open up a global market for the healthcare and hospitals industry.<br /><br /><strong>Fitness:</strong> Home fitness will take centre stage. Fitness apps and online fitness classes will see an uptick. Products and equipments that encourage home fitness will also see higher demand on marketplaces. End-to-end online fitness solutions including delivery of health food will emerge.<br /><br /><strong>Entertainment:</strong> Lastly, home entertainment businesses--OTT and music streaming platforms, and online live concerts—will see growth.<br /><br />Advertisers and media planners will be working in an entirely new media ecosystem. OTT advertising, content partnerships, digital audio, and so forth.<br /><br />At last digital based economy will become a real thing that means real business. Paying for digital experiences will become a reality. Of the pandemic shouldn’t have been a part of this deal. <br /><br /><strong>What marketers should know<br /><br /></strong>These testing times call for us marketers to go beyond business as usual. These are times for us to rethink, reinvent, and experiment with models of marketing. <br /><br /><strong>Zero touch searches<br /></strong><br />I do believe voice search will evolve faster and so will adoption of voice search devices. <br /><br />At DViO we have been rapidly optimising our clients’ businesses for voice search. When the industry is already projecting 50 % of searches using voice, it’s may be prudent to get your businesses optimised for voice. <br /><br />Content for context: Thanks to the coronavirus crisis, there has been a dramatic change this year in the lives of everybody on earth. Never before has humanity unanimously experienced feelings of fear, stress, concern for loved ones and anxiety about the future. <br /><br />So clearly, the old ways of communicating with consumers will be out of context, and will likely sound alien to most people. Any communication from brands needs to be viewed through the lens of the current lives of consumers. <br /><br />The questions that brand managers need to ask themselves are: “Am I helping? Is my communication working towards improving the lives of people--even if only a tad? Is what I am sharing adding value directly or indirectly and addressing the concerns of my consumer?”<br /><br />In order to align with these questions for our customers, at DViO, we are working to personalise every piece of communication to an unprecedented point of detailing the digital landscape. <br /><br /><strong>Authenticity:</strong> For brands, this is also the right time to pause and reflect on their raison d’être. Purpose is like the North Pole that helps navigate through the roughest of seas. Whatever shifts you plan to make to your communication and marketing strategy, go back and make sure it aligns with the core purpose of why you exist in the first place. <br /><br />Consumers will catch inauthentic communication faster than you can imagine. Anything you to do to simply "look good" simply won't fly. <br /><br /><strong>Changes in the media landscape:</strong> Online video, social media, and news content will continue to enjoy high consumption. But in addition, the media landscape will witness a new ecosystem of channels, which includes OTT, digital audio, content partnerships etc. Media plans will need to be kept flexible to adapt to changes on the go. <br /><br />Lastly, brands that win in the long run will connect authentically, demonstrate care for communities, and spread the much-needed positivity in the world today.<br />

A look at consumer behaviour and marketing trends in Covid-19

<br />For most people, the word ‘hostel’ brings back memories of hard bunkbeds, loud roommates and grimy washrooms. A new trend has been sweeping the world which is trying to redefine all of that with a touch of class, offering minimalistic decor, hotel-like amenities and even great bars.<br /><br /><strong>Posh-hostels</strong><br /><br />Poshtels have started alongside other affordable accommodation options like Airbnb, microhotels featuring pods and homestays. <br /><br />These accommodation options want to be your home away from home and create an atmosphere that is unlike hotels- homely, friendly and based on sharing. Not just that, Poshtels are made for people who like luxury with a twist. Most poshtels are affordable but a little steep compared to other hostels which they make up by providing better and more livable facilities.<br /><br />Interestingly, most modern hostel guests aren’t broke like college kids; they just place their priorities differently; preferring to spend their money on local food and experiences, rather than just a place to lounge in. This new traveller wants a travel experience that’s different and instagrammable. <br /><br />Poshtels are distinguished by their on-trend design, communal spaces like cafes or bars, social meetups and happening neighbourhoods. The guests aren’t young nomads; but professionals in their late 20s who represent around 40% of the total guests, <a href="https://skift.com/2016/08/25/upscale-hostels-look-beyond-millennials-to-business-travelers/">according to Skift</a>.<br /><br /> <strong>The whole packages</strong><br /><br />A <keyword id="5290598" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="poshtel">poshtel</keyword> recently opened its doors in Delhi so we popped in to see what’s it all about.<br /><br />‘LetsBunk ‘Poshtel’ is a fusion of a boutique hotel and a funky hostel where you can enjoy the luxury and engage in the cultural give-and-take,” says Gautam Munjal who started the property in the buzzing area of <keyword id="6493471" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="hauz-khas-village">Hauz Khas Village</keyword> in New Delhi.<br /><br />Munjal who has previously worked with <keyword id="2808667" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="oyo">Oyo</keyword>, is trying to spread the concept in a city which sees a lot of travelers from all over the world. <br /><br />The space itself buzzes with life, as most guests sit together for coffee or a round of board games. The rooms are spacious,comfortable and stylish but the lobby, cafe and the rooftop keep calling out to you.<br /><br />The space consists of Mixed &amp; Female exclusive dorms and private rooms starting at Rs. 850 a night and going up to Rs. 5000 for a dorm-style private room for six people. <br /><br />Let’sBunk is also trying the Co-Working space model where they use their living room area as a workspace for freelancers and startup owners that can add to the concept. As the seats are limited, Munjal says that they ensure that they ensure that most people who work at Let’sBunk are working in the travel industry to facilitate the guest experiences.<br /><br />The Coworking package starts at Rs. 7000 per month which includes coupons for complimentary breakfast, access to events, discounts on hosting events, access to yoga workshops, printing facility et al. <br /><br />Local tours and activities are a norm in the <keyword id="5290597" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="hauz-khhas">Hauz Khhas</keyword> area and many travelers opt for the Old Delhi Bike tour, Design Walk, Food walks, History Walks, Heritage walks etc. which the management organizes through partnerships. <br /><br />When I visited the space I met with entrepreneurs, NRIs and even lifestyle bloggers- all of which benefited from the concept as a way of socialising with their peers.<br /><br />Whether you like your frills or thrills, the Poshtel concept will appeal to you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

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