Slow Travel And Why We Should All Experience It...

The United Nations designated 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development - an opportunity to raise global awareness about how responsible tourism can act as a vehicle for positive change.

@andyourstorycontinues

The three pillars of sustainable tourism are employing environmentally friendly practices (reduce, reuse, recycle); protecting cultural and natural heritage (restoring historic buildings or saving endangered species); and providing tangible social and economic benefits for local communities.

Slow Travel

The slow travel movement is an off-shoot of the slow food movement. The slow food movement was sparked by local Italians protesting against the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome in 1986. They wanted to protect traditional Italian cuisine and culture, and championed slow food over fast food. The slow food movement advocates supporting local farmers, eating local produce and preserving regional dishes.

Slow travel fundamentally works in the same way. It focuses on meeting and supporting local people and businesses and it relies on the idea that a trip is meant to educate and have an emotional impact, in the present moment and for the future, while remaining sustainable for local communities and the environment. Because of this, slow travel is often considered low impact and you experience a deeper sense of place enjoying a slower pace and being able to enjoy the whole experience instead of feeling exhausted on you're return.

You may also find Slow Travel being referred to as responsible, ethical, mindful, sustainable or low-impact travel.

@willvanw Old Harry Rocks

Supporting Local Businesses

Small and independent businesses are at the heart of our communities and it’s now more important than ever for the community to get behind them and show our support. The economist and author Michael Schuman highlighted this by saying that when you support local business ‘control moves from the boardrooms of distant corporations and back into the community where it belongs’.

"A strong culture of buying locally is the foundation of a sustainable local economy."

When your shopping think about going directly to the locals and keeping the money within the community. Think of it like this when you buy from a local shop they will use that money in another local shop and so on... so that money will then circulate throughout the whole community and help the local area thrive.

Buying from local business is supporting the people who have helped make the British Isles what it is today. Not only are you more likely to get a better service and shopping experience but you are encouraging locals to pass on skills from generations passed which not only provide more local jobs but keep our rich culture and heritage alive.

@rhianwymandesign @leverintlighting @the_rhubarb_candle_company

Stay in Local Accommodation

Staying in local accommodation is a good way to meet local people. It also supports the local economy, rather than supporting foreign-owned chain hotels. At Hermes & Hestia we connect you with the property owners so you can book with them directly. Places like Airbnb also offer the same kind of arrangement. You could also try other ideas like house sitting or volunteering holidays. These are really great ways to get to know the locals, contribute, and become part of the community whilst slow traveling.

@unplugged.rest @storrshall @hergest_lee

Slow Travel And The Environment

From an environmental point of view, slow travel is beneficial. Travelling to fewer places means less need to use transport or take flights. If you’re based in the British Isles instead of booking a flight out of here - look at what's here right under our noses!

Slow travel is also about local experiences so here are a few interesting facts to get you going…

The British Isles consists of two countries: The United Kingdom and the Irish Republic, there are also 3 dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. The UK is four countries: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The highest mountain in the British Isles is Ben Nevis located near Fort William In Scotland, the 10 highest mountains in England are all in the English Lake District Cumbria, Carrauntoohil is the highest peak in Ireland, The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland was made by crystallising lava and its around 50-60 million years old, The Tay Bridge in Scotland is the longest bridge in the British Isles, Stonehenge was built with rocks quarried 180 miles away in Wales, The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are Ireland's most visited attraction, The clocktower known as Big Ben is actually named Elizabeth Tower, Wales' nickname is "The Land of Song, "William Shakespeare is the UK's greatest cultural icon and Scotland is the birthplace and home of golf! that's just to get you started.

With so much history, culture and fascinating places to visit around the British Isles we are sure you wont get stuck for ideas! You can make a start by using our interactive map and see what's close to you!