10 Sustainable Tips for the Traveller on The Gili Islands

February 25, 2020

Travelling has a positive impact on us all. It helps us relax and forget about daily stress. It has the potential to makes us more open-minded.

Unfortunately, travelling also has a great impact on the places we visit.

As a tourist, we can influence the economy of the countries we go to, as well as their inhabitants’ lives. The influence is not always positive. Tourism can also increase waste, pollution as well as fossil fuel usage.

Many of us at home are living as responsibly as we can. We take short showers, we turn the lamps as soon as we leave home. We recycle our garbage and we try to keep our trash as minimal as we can.

But, what about when we travel?

What does green travel mean? And how can we support sustainable tourism?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that green travel is somehow difficult. Sustainable travel on the Gili Islands doesn’t mean giving something up. It means that you appreciate the place you are visiting.

So, we want to share our 10 best sustainable travel tips on the Gili Islands. Let’s help the environment together!

Sustainable Tourism when Drinking, Eating and Living

When done well, sustainable travel is the reverse effect of mass tourism.

It is all about trying to make smarter choices to reduce the negative impacts we create when we travel.

Together we can make a big difference! One example is to choose eco-labelled products. Another is to stay in sustainable rooms and use sustainable shopping tactics.

Tip #1: Eat Local and Seasonal Food

If you eat local and seasonal food you will support the local economy. You will also help the people that grow and sell the food. Every evening at our Beach Club, we serve a BBQ with either vegetables, local fish from Indonesia or meat. We always serve it together with a delicious organic salad buffet.

Both local and seasonal food is very delicious on the Gili Islands and we recommend it to everyone who visits the islands.

Tip #2: Choose a Sustainable Accommodation

Together with other hotels around the Gili Islands, we take a stand on sustainability. We think green travel on Gili Islands are very important.

Here at Scallywags, we have our own water well. We take a stand against plastic usage, do beach clean ups and we don’t use plastic straws. We are using local produce and supporting the local community in different ways.

We opt to be as sustainable as possible in our rooms. We use recycled materials for furniture and only use natural materials.

Tip #3: Save Water and Air Conditioning Usage

We do encourage you to be comfortable on your vacation and use both the water and AC provided.

But for sustainable travel on the Gili Islands, it is important to think about the water usage on your vacation too. If you would like to get some extra bonus points, we would suggest to shower together with a friend or your partner. That way you will save even more water!

Tip #4 : Do Adventures That are Sustainable and Support Green Travel

Think about how your adventures are making an impact on the environment. The transportation around the Gili Islands are still good for the environment. For example, hiring a bike or to go diving are both good for your health and the environment. There are many good spots to go diving in Indonesia.

Tip #5: Stop Single Plastic Usage

For sustainable travel on the Gili Islands try to avoid all kinds of single-use plastic. Plastic waste is a huge problem everywhere in the world. It takes about 500 years for plastic to break down in nature. We are pretty sure that you don’t want your water bottle from your vacation to lay around in nature for that long.

Tip #6: Help to Spread the Awareness of Sustainable Travel on The Gili Islands

Local businesses can sometimes need help with switching to a more sustainable option. Instead of only not wanting a plastic straw, we would suggest that you talk to them about considering investing in a more sustainable option. Like paper or bamboo straws.

Some local shops might not even be aware of the environmental benefits of doing this switch. Together we can help support the local businesses to reduce plastic waste.

Tip #7: Use a Reusable Water Bottle

There are many places around the Gili Islands where you can refill your water. We would suggest that you bring a BPA-free plastic water bottle with you. You may also choose a stainless-steel water bottle which can be good even for warmer drinks.

Tip #8: Buy Sustainable Products and Shopping

Today there are so many environmental organisations and businesses that work to make it easier for customers to choose sustainable products.

You can also make a contribution to the environment in everyday life. By choosing sustainable products, you get products that are good for your health and the environment. You also influence the supply in the stores. When you choose eco-labelled products, you also opt-out of products that contain harsh chemicals.

Tip #9: Coral Reef Sunscreen

Oxybenzone and octinoxate (both are chemicals found in sunscreen) are the two most studied chemicals known to have a devastating effect on corals. When you wear
sunscreen and then go scuba diving, you carry these chemicals into the ocean. So it is much better to choose an eco-friendly one.

The chain reaction for a negative impact is bigger than what most people might think. For example, one single drop of sunscreen which is filled with bad chemicals changes the water and the corals in a negative way. Like that single drop, every choice we make makes a difference to the environment.

Tip #10: Shop Local Items

Buy locally-made, or even better, handmade products, rather than those that have been imported. Items that are flown or shipped in have a much larger carbon footprint.

Supermarket chains are notorious for packaging food items in unnecessary plastic. You can avoid some of this by shopping at fresh produce markets (don’t forget your own reusable carry bag).

If you are looking to stay in a hotel who cares for the environment and wants to be a part of a change for a more sustainable future, book a room with us!

10 Sustainable Tips for the Traveller on The Gili Islands