Vegan and sustainable travel is the next big thing

I’ve been traveling since I could walk. In 2012 when I was working in elephant rescue in Thailand, I stopped eating meat and also stopped buying leather and other products using animals. Traveling vegan extends to more than just food, but also how you travel. From opting for more eco-friendly modes of transportation to luggage to even the clothing you wear. 

More and more travelers care about the environment and the ethical impact of their journeys. Now, conscious tourism pairs perfectly with vegan essentials to make a more ethical way to experience the world.

A growing market for sustainable and vegan travel

RTTC spoke at conferences including TBEX Bangkok and TBEX Costa Brava in 2015. And yes, I had blonde hair then.

More than a decade ago, myself and a few other eco-conscious travel bloggers founded the Responsible Travel & Tourism Collective, which was ahead of its time. We spoke at numerous international conferences geared towards travel bloggers, sharing the realities of responsible tourism when it comes to animals. While the Collective is no longer, one thing is for certain: sustainable tourism isn’t going anywhere. 

In fact, according to The Business Research Company, the global sustainable tourism market is valued at about $3.28 trillion. This year it is projected to hit $3.75 trillion. Over the next four years, it is set to growing annually by over 14 percent. Why? The surge reflects rising awareness around climate change, biodiversity, and ethical travel practices.

Likewise, vegan-minded travelers are a force to be reckoned with. Growth Market Reports the global vegan travel market was valued at $853.2 million in 2024 and is expected to nearly double to $1.87 billion by 2033. Meanwhile, Yahoo Finance reports the broader vegan food market is on track to grow from $22.4 billion in 2025 to more than $55 billion by 2034.

Why packing vegan and sustainable makes a difference

1. Reduces waste and plastic footprint
   Bringing your own reusable items, such as travel-sized shampoo bars, bamboo utensils, and refillable toiletry containers cuts down on single-use plastic, aligns with zero-waste ideals, and keeps your travel kit vegan-friendly and compact.

2. Supports ethical and eco brands
   I love learning about new companies who are ethical and eco-friendly. Many brands offer travel-sized vegan essentials, from skincare to snacks to ethical fashion accessories. Choosing these products supports businesses with values, and ensures you’re not compromising your ethics on the road. Tip: you can start with Certified B Corp companies to discover new vegan and vegan-friendly brands.

3. Saves money
   Sustainable, reusable items may cost more upfront, but they pay dividends over time, especially for repeat travelers. Plus, search algorithms show that interest in eco-friendly options is fueling product availability and price competitiveness for vegan travelers.

How to make your next trip more eco-conscious and vegan

A local woman on Koh Samui, Thailand shows visitor her shop.

• Use carbon-emission tools: Organizations like Travalyst offer flight carbon estimators and promote travel that benefits local economies. It helps you choose smarter routes on major search engine platforms to find more eco-friendly options. 

• Skip overcrowded destinations: Explore UN-designated sustainable tourism villages. Every year it awards 55 villages with the honor, who are working to “foster development and inclusion in rural areas, combat depopulation, advance innovation and value chain integration through tourism and encourage sustainable practices”. Past award-winning villages include Douma, Lebanon, Mestia, Georgia, and Bo Suak, Thailand.

• Pack functional vegan essentials: Swap plastic for solar chargers, reusable utensils, and plant-based toiletries in compostable or refillable packaging. Check out my list of vegan and sustainable products for your next trip.

• Shop local: When it comes to spending money, opt for local businesses instead of chains. This goes for restaurants, too. 

Check in to eco-friendly hotels

In Helsinki, nearly 90 percent of hotels are third-party verified for sustainability, with half powered by renewables and almost half waste recycled. Don’t fall for green-washing, which happens all too often. Instead, be on the lookout for certifications from entities including:

• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC)- the leading global standard for sustainable tourism. It ensures certifications meet their core criteria across environmental, socio-economic, cultural and management practices
• Green Globe – operating in nearly 100 countries, Green Globe applies a framework based on 44 criteria and almost 400 indicators aligned with international sustainability standards. Additionally, in order to maintain the certification, properties must demonstrate continuous improvements.
• Earth Check – this science-backed certification focuses on environmental and social performance for hotels and tourism businesses around the world. It looks for long-term sustainability planning and transparency.
• Green Key Global – hotels and venues are certified based on criteria including water and energy conservation, guest education, and indoor air quality. 
• Green Seal – their GS-33 certification looks at environmental factors such as energy, water, and waste management. With tiered certifications, it is scalable for properties.
• EU Ecolabel – for properties across Europe, the certification’s strict criteria includes energy efficiency, water use, waste reduction, environmental policy and even sustainable transportation.

Discover vegan-friendly hotels

Aside from eco-friendly, let’s be real. You want to stay at a place that is vegan-friendly. Whether that means having vegan options on the menus, offering down alternatives, or vegan- and cruelty-free products, there are plenty of sites that help you discover them.

• VeggieHotels – this global directory shares hotels, B & Bs, guesthouses and more that are 100 percent vegan or vegetarian.
• VeganWelcome – for the foodies, this site features a curated list of mainstream hotels and properties with vegan meals.
• VegVisits – the “vegan Airbnb” (but, ya know, with ethics and stuff), connects travelers with local vegan and vegetarian hosts across 80+ countries with shared homes and rooms.

Want more? Check out my top 12 vegan and sustainable products for your next trip — from luggage to skincare.