Did you know that 39 percent of American travelers have “travel guilt.”
It’s kind of a good thing. Conscious consumption shouldn’t stop at home. The idea of “cruelty-free living” has extended far beyond the cosmetics industry and has become a lifestyle focused on minimizing harm in every way possible.
If you’re trying to make more earth and animal-friendly choices, tackling how to travel the road consciously can feel overwhelming. There are so many moving parts when planning a trip.
Even though there aren’t a lot of mainstream resources for ethical travel readily available, with just a little research and planning you’ll uncover a whole new world of opportunity. Contrary to what some may think, cruelty-free living opens you up to, even more, more authentic and more fulfilling travel experiences.
Here’s our guide:
Travel to Places that Prioritize the Humane Treatment of Animals
Unfortunately, many countries don’t value the lives of animals and do not criminalize the mistreatment or killing of animals. Take a stand by not supporting countries that do not value animals, and travel to places that do.
The Animal Protection Index is an excellent resource, that’s consistently updated, which shows which countries are the best and worst for animals.
Currently, the United Kingdom, Austria, Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, and Chile are ranked as the countries with the most humane, and progressive views, lifestyles and legislation for animals.
Iran, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Russia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Pakistan, Egypt, Ethiopia, Niger, Algeria, and Morocco are all ranked as the worst for animals.
When it comes to domestic travel, the Animal Legal Defense Fund ranks the best and worst states for animal welfare every year.
Illinois, Oregon, Maine, Colorado, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Louisiana, California, Washington, Indiana, Texas, Michigan, Florida, Virginia, and Pennsylvania are ranked as the best states for animal welfare.
North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Alaska, South Carolina, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, New Mexico, Wyoming, Iowa, Mississippi, and Kentucky are ranked as the worst.
Every year WalletHub also ranks the best cities for vegans and vegetarians. The current ranking includes the top 100 cities in America. For 2019 the top 10 cities are Portland, Los Angeles, Orlando, Seattle, Austin, Atlanta, New York City, San Francisco, San Diego, and Tampa.
Travel the Road via Sustainable Transportation (in your budget)
Transportation contributes to 14 percent of the global output of greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon emissions contribute to global warming, which directly impacts the ecosystems and health of all life on earth, including animals.
Cycling, hiking, and walking are the modes of transportation that cause the least amount of harm to the environment. Backpacking trips, cycling vacations or opting to walk instead of getting a Lyft when you travel are all ways to make travel more cruelty-free.
Instead of a road trip, you can opt for taking an Amtrak or a shared charter bus like a FlixBus.
The next best option is to use public transit like buses, trains and rail systems. The site Wanderu ranks buses and trains as the most fuel-efficient modes of transportation, and also the types that produce the least carbon emissions. Airplanes are ranked as the least fuel-efficient mode of travel.
But unfortunately, for a lot of us, the only way to travel to another country is to travel by plane. Thankfully, the issue of sustainability is starting to be widely recognized by the travel industry, and many commercial airlines are starting to seriously consider more biofuel options.
TUI Airways, LATAM Airlines Brasil, China West Air, TUIfly, Transavia France, SunExpress, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Europa Express, Condor Flugdienst, and Juneyao Airlines were ranked as the most eco-friendly airlines by the German-based climate organization Atmosfair.
Conde Nast Traveller ranked British Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Delta, Air New Zealand, United, JetBlue, and Scandinavian Airlines as having the best programs for reducing travel emissions.
Select Ethical Stays
There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing a cruelty-free place to stay while traveling. Opting to camp or stay with family friends is usually the most animal-friendly option.
You can also use sites like Airbnb, and try to seek out vegan-friendly hosts. Vegvisits is a site like Airbnb but focuses on connecting vegans with other cruelty-free households.
The WWOOF USA is a program that allows travelers to stay at local, organic farms across the world in exchange for work.
If you prefer staying at a hotel, consider a family-owned vegan bed and breakfast that prioritizes cruelty-free living. You can also search for smaller, non-chain boutique hotels that offer animal-free foods, cruelty-free toiletries, and have sustainable business practices.
When it comes to chain hotels and resorts, some brands place more of a value on cruelty-free living than others. If your going to a destination known for wellness and eco-friendly actives like Tulum, Mexico there will be a lot more options that will require a minimal effort to find.
For other destinations, there are a few resources like veganhotels.com and Vegan Welcome that show vegan resorts and hotels around the world.
When your only option is to stay at a chain or commercialized hotel, consider the following before selecting your hotel:
- Do they have cruelty-free toiletries?
- Do they offer vegan-friendly, whole foods in their rooms and restaurants?
- Do they use animal-derived materials in their furniture and linens?
- Do they participate in any other sustainability practices like water waste programs, energy efficiency, food waste, etc?
The items above are considered a baseline for organizations that value cruelty-free living. If a hotel does not make an effort to meet these minimum requirements, they are likely not an operation that values the welfare of animals and the planet.
Be highly sensitive to greenwashing. Do your research and ask questions. Cruelty-free organizations will be transparent and forthcoming about their business practices.
Know Where (And What) You’re Eating
One word: planning. The best way to be cruelty-free when you travel is to research and plan. Look-up the airports you’re staying at, know the vegan restaurant options in your area, familiarize yourself with your options.
If your traveling to another country familiarize yourself as well as you can about the food safety practices, and experiences of other travelers in the region. This is especially true for countries and areas that are underdeveloped.
If you’re not able to locate the sourcing of the animal byproducts in the area or confirm if animals were humanely treated or sustainably caught, avoid them. Check a bag and bring your cruelty-free foods with you, like vegan protein powders and organic backpacking meals.
Sticking to a diet of dry foods like oats, rice, and beans, leaned and uncut raw fruits, cooked vegetables and hot vegan meals are the best ways to be cruelty-free when dining out in a questionable area.
When you’re traveling to a developed country where you have access to cruelty-free foods, consider only dining at locally-owned restaurants that don’t serve items like foie gras, veal, factory-farmed meats, and caged eggs.
Decide On Animal-Friendly Activities
As a rule of thumb, avoid anything that exploits animals. Animal rides, even if they are donkeys is not a humane practice. For example, horses and donkeys are commonly used to help transport bags for (lazy) backpackers down the 10-mile trail of the Grand Canyon’s Havasupai Trail.
However, these animals are used to point of exhaustion and even death. Because the program is run by the Indian reservation, the government can not step-in and ensure humane practices are taking place.
Instead of zoos, consider visiting and volunteering at an animal sanctuary. Visit historical sites instead of amusement parks and new mega entertainment developments that push out local businesses and destroy local ecosystems.
Only snorkel and scuba dive with shops and guides that don’t chum the water, and emphasize the preservation of reefs and natural environments. Visit nature preserves and national parks. Shop at local markets for souvenirs instead of chains.
It’s Never Been Easier to Travel the Road Ethically!
Every dollar you spend it to vote for what you value.
This is the ethos behind conscious consumption, and it’s making a difference. We live in a world where the money is king, and when many people start shifting their consuming behaviors, the industries impacted take notice.
It’s what’s driven the plant-based meat craze, it’s what’s pushing more companies to take vows of sustainability and cruelty-free practices.
When you travel the road, never forget that the choices you make matter in the bigger picture. By opting to have ethical travel experience, and sharing how amazing it was with others, you’ll create a chain reaction of change.
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