If you’ve ever wondered what happens when environmental sustainability, inclusive tourism, and Pride collide – meet Rayan. Traveller. Volunteer. Pride advocate. After winning Hostelworld’s ESG World Tourism Day competition, Rayan travelled to Cape Town , South Africa . Not just to explore and celebrate Pride, but to help build something new. Having previously heard Soul Fam Hostel’s founder,…
Tag: Eco travel
Sustainability Stories: “It changed the way I travel” – Volunteering in Colombia, One Year On
(L: Entrance to El Rio Hostel. R: Boat trip with our guide Gabriel and dog Suki) A year ago, you met Amy Phung , winner of Hostelworld’s yearly staff travel competition, who spent several weeks travelling across Colombia – hopping from hostel to hostel, and discovering a country that surprised her at every turn. Almost a year on, Amy reflects…
Eco-Friendly Backpacking: How To Restock Toiletries
Switching to solid toiletries and zero-waste essentials is one of the best decisions a backpacker can make, and not just for the environment. Shampoo bars don’t explode in your bag. Toothpaste tabs don’t count as liquids at security. A bamboo toothbrush weighs almost nothing. The case for eco-friendly backpacking toiletries is as practical as it…
Where to Travel Sustainably: Eco-Friendly Destinations for 2026
Sustainable travel is not a niche preference anymore. More travellers than ever are thinking carefully about where they go, how they get there, and what their trip actually does for the places they visit. But knowing where to start is genuinely tricky. Every destination claims to be sustainable these days, and the line between meaningful…
Sustainability Stories: Twentytu – Redefining responsible travel in Barcelona and beyond…
“Our dream is for sustainable travel to be the norm, not the exception”, says the director, Josep Aguilar, from Twentytu Hostel in Barcelona’s busy and modern 22nd district. Twentytu is the perfect base for any curious traveller looking to explore Barcelona and stay in one of their private or shared dorm rooms. Beyond the best spot for watching a sunset from their rooftop terrace, Twentytu is surrounded by emblematic monuments such…
Sustainability Stories: JO&JOE Rio – discover this eco-warrior hostel in the urban jungle
At the foot of Rio de Janeiro ’s famous Corcovado mountain, where monkeys swing through palm trees and samba drifts through the air, you’ll find JO&JOE Rio – a hostel that proves that big-city energy and sustainability get along just fine. Built along six restored colonial buildings in the historic Largo do Boticario, this open house is more than pools,…
Sustainability Stories: Eco-ethnotourism at Casa en el Agua
With carbon emissions a massive 82% lower than hotels , hostels are already sustainability success stories 🤩 But what are they doing to get there? And, in many cases, how are they going above and beyond to help hostellers travel responsibly? In our Sustainability Stories series, we’re shining the spotlight on hostels that protect the environment, support local communities…
Sustainability Stories: Recycling at St Christopher’s Inn, Barcelona
Caring for the climate while you travel doesn’t have to be hard work, especially when your hostel is doing what they can to protect our planet. With them doing the leg work for you, you can sit back and sip your sangria knowing that you’re contributing to the greater good. In this series, Hostelworld’s Sustainability…
Cheers to sustainability: eco-friendly beers to try on your travels
For many of us beer becomes one of our five-a-day while travelling. Whether you’re a lager lover, pale ale aficionado, or low-alcohol brews keep you hoppy, it’s never been easier to find an eco-friendly alternative to the local tipple. There’s no feeling quite like ending a day of exploring with a refreshing pint or cracking…
Travelling with a purpose: Volunteering for NGOs during your travels
For many people travel is about enjoying a well-deserved break, switching off from problems back at home and enjoying new and exciting destinations to the fullest. But long-term travellers, especially those that have been on the road for a long time, can find themselves wanting a deeper purpose alongside their endless cravings for more adventure….
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