Foundations of Sustainable Travel

This unit introduces core concepts and consumer choices that define sustainable travel, including distinctions between sustainable and responsible travel, impacts of travel, and practical options for destinations, transportation, stays, packing, and food. It provides foundational decision-making tools and criteria that prepare students to design, evaluate, and advocate for sustainable travel experiences in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the differences between sustainable and responsible travel by comparing at least three real-world examples and their environmental, social, and economic impacts
• Evaluate trade-offs (including financial costs and benefits) when selecting destinations, providers, modes of transport, accommodations, and food sources using defined sustainability criteria
• Apply a decision-making rubric to create a 1–3 day sustainable travel plan that selects destination, transport mode, accommodation, and packing list consistent with sustainability goals
• Demonstrate the ability to choose and justify sustainable travel options for different traveler types (solo, family) by presenting recommended providers, routes, and practices with supporting evidence