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Going Green on Your Trip to Fiji

Taking an environmentally friendly vacation has become more popular, and that is definitely a good thing. Visitors and destinations around the world are recognizing that the travel industry is intertwined with nature and the world’ natural beauty. First, it’s no secret that the aviation industry already has some negative impact on the environment, and second, there are depressing examples of how tourism can destroy the natural beauty of a destination.

So, people choosing to limit their environmental impact while abroad, particularly when taking a trip to Fiji or other developing countries, can actually have a substantial effect on what happens in the future. Going green on your trip to Fiji ensures the islands are there for future generations to love.

Choose an Environment Friendly Destination

The first question for any trip to Fiji is where to go. The answer can vary based on your interests (surfing vs. scuba diving), travelers (family vs. solo explorer), and length of trip (one month vs. one week). Another consideration as you plan the itinerary is whether you destinations are environment friendly.

On Taveuni, locals, tourism operators, and the government have taken steps to ensure the island doesn’t become the next overpopulated and overbuilt destination. Nearly 80% of the island under some environmental protection, and tourism operators are generally respectful of these natural parks and their beauty.

What to Know Before You Arrive

The decisions you make when booking and planning a trip are imperative to an environment friendly vacation. You can begin by buying travel products that limit waste and emphasis reuse, for example shopping for reusable small shampoo bottles, rather than always buying a new set or purchasing water purifying tablets to cut down on the plastic bottles you use abroad. You can also invest in reusable plastic bags for your carry-on liquids.

How you fly is also a consideration. Aviation leads to carbon emissions and release of other gases in the atmosphere, but going green on your trip to Fiji means getting there in a way that considers these repercussions. A number of airlines offer the chance to offset your carbon emissions with a small donation. You can investigate how your preferred airline uses these funds and book accordingly. Another option is booking the shortest route, even if it isn’t the fastest.

Likely the most important part of planning your trip to Fiji is deciding where to stay. Look for a resort, like Raiwasa, that makes a commitment to the environment. This commitment can be carried out in big and small ways. For example, at Raiwasa, we’ve made some big commitments, such as leaving the majority of our three-acre property covered in vegetation and indigenous plants, and several small ones, such as dealing with our trash and waste in a responsible manner.

Before booking, you can ask resort management about their policies on sustainable food sources, products, use of plastic, and water management. Mindfulness to all of these issues can make a difference.

What to Do on Your Trip

There are so many actions you can take on a trip to Fiji to be kind to the environment and limit environmental damage. To start, ditch as much plastic waste as possible. Bring your own water bottle and purifying tablets or device, skip the bag for your souvenirs, and tell the bar you don’t need a straw for your cocktail. While the United States and Europe have robust recycling initiative and most people know how to access and utilize recycling centers, this isn’t true in most of the world.

Fiji and other island destinations like Fiji are still struggling with appropriate steps to dispose of plastic waste. This means every straw, water bottle, plastic container, coffee lid, and plastic bag could end up in the ocean. While resorts, like Raiwasa Private Resort, take steps to eliminate plastic waste correctly, outside the resort the local population is far less aware of these measures.

Another step you can take is shortening your showers and water waste. It is easy to forget in a lush destination such as Fiji that water conservation is always necessary. The crashing waves and afternoon rains suggest a never-ending supply of fresh water, but even here, there is a finite amount of useable, clean water – don’t waste it.

If you would like more information on planning an environment conscious trip to Fiji, contact us at Raiwasa Private Resort. We can provide more information on Taveuni, the jungle and coral reefs in the area, and how we help keep it all beautiful.