Why Slow Travel is Sustainable Travel

One Planet Journey co-founder Richard Lindberg makes the case for how slow travel equates to sustainable travel, tracing its origins to the present day. Use the “how to slow travel” guide and learn why the numerous benefits will maximise your next journey.

In our fast-paced world, the idea of slowing down and taking things at a leisurely pace may seem counterintuitive. Travel, often the source of rewarding and memorable experiences, is an example of how a more measured pace equals sustainable travel. Learning about new places, exploring cultures and meeting people is more manageable when going slow. Many of us have busy itineraries, trying to make the most out of our trips, rushing from one attraction to another. Have you ever felt exhausted after returning from your trip, in need of a vacation after your holiday to relax and wind down? Then slow travel has your name on

What is slow travel?

A journey is much more than checking off sights. Slow travel replaces the frantic exploration of destinations with a relaxed and deliberate focus on the journey as well as the destination. Imagine leisure strolls where you get lost in winding alleyways, low-key cruises and flexible itineraries. It advocates for a more mindful approach to life, emphasising quality over speed.

Is Deep Travel the same as Slow Travel?

As Deep Travel experts, we often get this question, and the answer is no. While they share some traits around more meaningful trips, they’re not interchangeable terms. Slow travel means a slow pace to savour a destination in a relaxed and low-stress fashion, as our Portugal article describes well. Deep travel, however, does not fixate on speed or duration. It’s about actively seeking authentic experiences and immersing yourself in the culture. You can certainly have a deeper travel experience on a shorter trip because it all centres on you as a person and your intent.

The Origins and Evolution of Slow Travel

Slow travel is an extension of the Slow Food movement in Italy, founded in 1986 by Carlo Petrini. With a focus on local farming and cuisine, communal and traditional food preparation methods, it started as a reaction to the explosion of fast food, aiming to preserve gastronomic heritage and promote a more mindful approach to eating.

Early Adoption and Growth

As the slow food movement gained popularity, the principles influenced how people thought about travelling. Slow travel became an alternative to the fast-paced, checklist-style tourism that dominated the industry, instead focusing on worthwhile cultural engagement and sustainable practices. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, slow travel established itself as a distinct travel philosophy, particularly among those seeking more meaningful and authentic experiences.

The Rise of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

In the 2000s, the growing awareness of environmental and social impacts led to a shift in the travel industry toward more sustainable and responsible tourism. Slow travel aligned perfectly, emphasising low-impact, community-oriented experiences. During this period, travellers embraced the idea of staying longer in one place, using local transportation, and building connections with locals.

The Digital Age and the Influence of Social Media

The rise of social media and digital nomadism in the 2010s further popularised slow travel. Bloggers and influencers shared stories of a different lifestyle, promoting the benefits of truly experiencing a place rather than visiting for a short time. Platforms like Airbnb also allowed travellers to live as locals.

The Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated interest in slow travel. With global travel restrictions and heightened concerns about mass tourism, travellers wanted safer ways to explore. The trend toward domestic tourism, extended stays, and a slower pace resonated with the principles of slow travel.

Slow Travel Today

At present, slow travel serves as a counter-narrative to overtourism. The concept has broadened to include various forms of travel, from cycling tours and train journeys to slow city experiences and agritourism. 

How to Slow Travel

There are no rules, but see these points as a guide for a successful, slow travel adventure.

1. Stay Longer in One Place: Spend more time in a single destination rather than rushing through multiple spots. Consider staying with locals.

2. Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: Focus on fewer activities and attractions but engage with them more meaningfully. Avoid the pressure of seeing every tourist spot.

3. Embrace Local and Authentic Experiences: Choose locally owned accommodations, eateries, and shops. Learn about traditions and take part in cultural events.

4. Travel Sustainably: Opt for eco-friendly transport options like trains, cycling, or walking instead of frequent flights or long drives. Reduce your environmental footprint.

5. Be Flexible and Spontaneous: Slow travel isn’t about rigid itineraries. Allow room for unplanned experiences and the freedom to explore tucked away places at your own pace.

6. Minimise Technology: Disconnect from your devices. Slow travel is about engaging fully with your surroundings.

7. Off-season is your friend: Enhance your stay by avoiding the crowds and save money in the process. Less busy times also allow for more enjoyable interaction with locals.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER SLOW TRAVEL FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

REDUCED STRESS

For starters, no pressure to complete a long list of “must-sees”. Now, I love a good guidebook and can’t deny rumours of creating Excel sheets in preparation for a trip, so believe me. A little spontaneity won’t kill you. Leave the stressful day-to-day life behind. Instead, increase your well-being, relax and immerse yourself in the landscape. Sample the cuisine, shops and markets and take the time to get to experience local life.

LESS COST

When you spend more time in a location, you find more affordable accommodation options, for example, vacation rentals. Volunteering in exchange for a free stay is also a possibility.

We often take advantage of local markets and shops for groceries, cutting down on outside eating. Slow travel also means reduced transportation costs as you walk or use public transportation, in contrast to expensive taxi rides.

NEW ACQUAINTANCES

Slow travel allows you to uncover some of the in-between spots, often overlooked and, as a result, not overcrowded. Going off-piste sometimes results in encounters with the most charming people and places. When you engage with the locals, you go from a transactional relationship to a human connection.

LESS IMPACT

A more mindful tempo can positively impact the environment, as walking, bicycling or taking a train has carbon-related benefits. However, unsafe outdoor conditions or polluting trains don’t encourage usage. Therefore, a sustainable travel option should be an easy choice.

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

Slow travel often implies staying in rentals like houses, cottages, apartments and villas, which allows for an immersive experience, getting to know the neighbourhood, the ambience and the food. What better way to learn than to visit a market, buy fresh ingredients and cook your own meals?

Need inspiration? Read how slow travel plays out for real in New Zealand and Scotland in these beautiful and personal accounts by One Planet Journey’s Enrico Belcore.

Sustainable Travel – A Natural Conclusion to Slow Travel

The history of slow travel reflects a broader cultural shift towards a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle. What began as a response to fast food has grown into a worldwide movement that now influences how people eat, work, and travel. As the movement continues to gain momentum, offering a thoughtful alternative to the traditional tourism model by prioritising quality over quantity.

Slow travel encourages travellers to minimise their environmental footprint and support local economies. As more consumers seek to holiday responsibly, slow travel offers a path that is not only more enriching but also more sustainable for the planet and its communities.

And remember, the ultimate luxury in life is time. Nobody will give it to you, meaning you have to make or take time yourself.

Would you consider slow travel for your next trip? Or is it something you already practice? Let us know in the comment section! Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.