Sustainable travel doesn’t have to be pricey. Sometimes it costs a bit more than big bus tours because it’s in smaller groups and goes to spots away from the crowds—so costs aren’t spread across as many people. But you get a unique experience without all the touristy stuff.

However, a big reason prices can be high is the layers of middlemen in traditional travel chains. At Seek Sophie, we skip these extra layers by connecting you directly with local guides. This keeps costs low for you and ensures your money goes straight to the local community.

Travelling more sustainably is about being mindful of the choices we make. Every choice has an impact—good or bad. By doing our research and being thoughtful, we can make travel a force for good.

For example, you can choose smaller, local-led tours, avoid overtouristed spots, and support eco-friendly accommodations. Opt for slower travel, reduce plastic waste, and respect local cultures and wildlife.

Keep in mind that sustainability looks different in each place. What seems like poor practices, like visible trash, might be caused by factors beyond local control, such as ocean currents bringing waste from elsewhere.

Overtourism is where the number of travellers to a certain location overwhelms the place, and makes the local communities and the environment worse off.

It causes environmental degradation, cultural erosion, and strain on infrastructure, making it difficult for local residents to maintain their quality of life.

On the flip side, there’s a lesser-known issue called undertourism, which is just as problematic. In many parts of Asia, there are prehistoric rainforests, ancient volcanoes and areas full of wildlife that no one knows about, and no one goes to. These incredible natural wonders are in danger of being converted into palm oil plantations or coal mines due to a lack of tourism income. Without tourism, local residents also leave, which creates a brain drain and diminishes local culture.

Both overtourism and undertourism are problematic, and at Seek Sophie, we strive to find a balance. In areas facing a surge of tourists, we seek out alternative experiences that allow travellers to enjoy the beauty away from the crowds while supporting local communities. For destinations with undertourism, we tell their incredible stories to travellers, so travel spending can help sustain and preserve these places.

That’s why Seek Sophie exists :) As travellers, we know the struggle of searching to the ends of Google for experiences that aren’t tourist traps—only to sometimes end up in one anyway. That’s why we go on the ground, do our homework and try out the experiences ourselves to make sure what we recommend are what’s worth your time.

Here are a few tips to help you find the good good stuff:

A good rule of thumb is that the smaller the business, the more likely your money is going directly to locals. Supporting local mom-and-pop businesses can really make a difference for the community.

On the flip side, large attractions and hotels are often owned by corporations or foreign entities, which can limit the economic benefits for local communities. While they do provide jobs for locals, a smaller portion of your spending actually goes back to the community.

A simple rule of thumb is that if there’s any feeding, animal performance, or close interaction with the wildlife, you should think twice.

When considering an animal experience, it’s crucial to ask whether it genuinely respects wildlife and their natural behaviors. At Seek Sophie, we believe that wildlife should live as freely as possible, with minimal human interaction. Unfortunately, many attractions capture wild animals for tourism, leading to mistreatment and suffering.

To check if an experience is ethical, consider these points:

From an emissions perspective, commercial flights is actually less harmful for the planet than fast fashion and agriculture. It’s not great by any means, but it’s not as terrible as many make it out to be. The reality is that most travellers will continue to fly and are likely to do so even more in the future.

So what can we do about the emissions from flying? Our choices do matter here. We can choose carriers that use green fuels, we can choose more short haul trips and we can also choose to stay longer in places we’re in.

When flying: There are plenty of ways to reduce your footprint while traveling! When you fly, opt for airlines that use green fuels, choose more short-haul trips, and consider extending your stays in places you visit. Donating to carbon offset programs is another great option.

Planning activities: When planning activities, skip the fancy brunch and look for farm-to-table experiences. This way, you’re supporting local farms and enjoying fresh food that hasn’t traveled from across the globe. Instead of visiting large attractions, try local activities like cycling or walking tours. These not only have a lower footprint but also help you connect with the community.

That’s a great question! It’s totally understandable to feel skeptical about eco-friendly claims, especially with all the greenwashing out there. Some places that say they're sustainable or ethical may not really be living up to it.

There’s no easy answer. It’s up to us as consumers to do our research and see what truly passes the “smell test.” Sometimes, you might have to dig deep into Google or sift through reviews to find that one comment that raises a red flag.

At Seek Sophie, we talk to conservationists, connect with local communities, and visit experiences ourselves to make sure they’re genuinely sustainable. We don’t always get it right, either, so we know how tricky it can be.

Great question! Staying motivated to travel sustainably can be challenging, especially since it often requires a lot of research and mindfulness.

First, don’t stress too much! Feeling overwhelmed can make it harder to stay motivated. Just do your best! If you can research your experiences to see if they’re overtouristed or harmful, that's a win. Spending one day with a local guide during your week-long trip? Amazing! Choosing to stay in a locally-owned place instead of a chain hotel? Fantastic!