Protecting the environment is an important factor in the camping sector, for two reasons: because nature and the extraordinary places found within it are what we are all about, and because tourism bears significant responsibility for pollution worldwide. Every one of us, in our own way, can do what’s right for our planet, even while we’re on holiday! And first of all this means choosing camping holidays that are sustainable and energy-efficient. Yes indeed, it’s all possible and we’ll explain how!
What does an environmentally-friendly holiday mean?
Broadly speaking, “environmentally friendly”, “sustainable” and “energy-efficient” holidays form part of the slow tourism movement, which promotes a more environmentally-friendly approach to tourism. And, among other things, this involves cutting its carbon footprint by promoting green transport solutions and destinations that are closer to home.
Choosing the right destination
Seeing the world is a wonderful thing to do, enabling you to explore new places and cultures. But this sort of travel has a very high carbon footprint, as it often involves getting there by air, which is one of the most polluting means of travel. So what should we be doing? Choosing holiday options in your own country or in neighbouring ones: beauty and glamour lie all around if you look hard enough! And air travel can be reserved for more distant and exotic lands!
This, after all, is one of the specialities of our campsites: locations in some of the loveliest parts of Europe. And with around fifty to choose from, there’s just bound to be one that’s close to you!
Cars don’t have to be automatic!
Though they’re highly practical and economical, especially for family holidays, cars are also a means of travel that increases your carbon footprint. But there are other alternatives besides the car, including trains, coaches and car sharing.
And for the more energetic among you, who wish to take their time and for whom the journey is as important as the destination, the bicycle makes for the ideal sustainable option! There are all sorts of cycle routes in France and elsewhere, including the Vélodyssée, the Loire à Vélo, the Via Rhôna etc. No fossil fuels required, as you’ll be using your legs and pedalling at your own pace, while taking in the lovely scenery unfolding before you!
Environmentally-friendly holiday accommodation options
With power-saving keys in mobile homes, water meters and flow restrictors and charging terminals for electric cars, the accommodation options in our campsites are equipped so as to lower consumption, thereby taking a step further towards the more environmentally-friendly camping of the future.
Another good way of finding out whether your holiday choice is environmentally-friendly is the certifications, of which there are many, assuring their eco-credentials. These include Clef Verte, which has 603 members in France and around 2,700 in 56 countries.
Did you know? Most of our campsites have Clef Verte status: yet another reason to choose one of our campsites for your environmentally-friendly holiday!
Buy local produce
Reducing your carbon footprint during your camping holiday includes your shopping list. Whether this is at the village market for purists or at the supermarkets for others, you should pick the ingredients making up your summer dishes with care: opting for local and organic helps cut CO2 emissions on holiday. Remember to bring your reusable shopping bag to cut plastic bag numbers and to drink tap water rather than bottled. These may be obvious tips, but ones that we don’t always follow on holiday!
Choose environmentally-friendly activities
Forget about motorised activities and ones that use up a lot of power, and instead opt for natural ones for which you provide the power yourself! In this respect, our campsites have just what you need: canoe trips in the Gorges du Verdon and the Gorges de l’Ardèche, canyoning in Corsica, cycling in the Landes, sailing in the Atlantic or the Mediterranean. The options when it comes to environmentally-friendly activities are (almost) endless in Sandaya campsites, catering to your desires, your fitness and your age group.
Sandaya campsites, your favourite “green” destination
With most of our campsites listed, or with listing underway, as Clef Verte destinations, and with our CSR commitments at all levels of the camping sector, Sandaya campsites tick a lot of boxes when it comes to environmentally-friendly holidays. And this is something we are very proud of!
Our top environmentally-friendly destinations with Sandaya:
• Séquoia Parc collects rainwater and has organic produce available in its mini-market
• Soustons Village, one of the only fully pedestrianised campsites in France, where water is recycled and returned to the natural environment (including a fish pond!)
• Le Col Vert is working alongside a repair company for electrical appliances in order to minimise its ecological impact
Feel inspired...
