5 Simple Ways to Make Your Next Performance Tour More Eco-Friendly

In honor of Earth Day, which takes place this year on Saturday, April 22nd, we wanted take a moment to reflect on our impact on the environment. As a leading provider of performance tours, we believe that we have a responsibility to preserve and protect the places we visit, and to make a positive impact on the world.

We understand that every action we take—from the transportation we use, to the accommodations we stay in, and the activities we participate in—has an impact on the environment and local communities. That’s why we encourage our performers and their ensembles to embrace sustainable travel practices that maximize positive benefits to local communities, their culture, and the environment.

At Encore Tours, we know that small choices can make a big impact. We encourage everyone in our community to be mindful of the choices they make while traveling, whether it’s exploring close to home or venturing further abroad. Even with these small steps to make our performance tours more eco-friendly and sustainable, we can make a positive difference for the environment and inspire others to do the same. By making sustainable travel choices, we can ensure that our tours continue to change lives for years to come while minimizing our impact on the planet.

With this in mind, we’ve put together five simple tips that you can incorporate into your next performance tour to reduce your impact on the environment. These tips include choosing eco-friendly transportation, bringing reusable water bottles and bags, staying in eco-friendly accommodations, supporting local businesses, and reducing paper waste. By following these tips, you can make a difference in protecting the environment while still enjoying the benefits of travel and performance.

Choose Eco-Friendly Transportation

Instead of relying on solely on private transportation, consider using eco-friendly transportation options such as public transportation, biking, or walking to reach some of your destinations. By taking advantage of local transit systems, you can not only reduce your carbon footprint but also experience the local culture and scenery up close.

Public transportation options such as buses, trains, and subways are becoming increasingly eco-friendly, with many systems implementing electric or hybrid vehicles. Additionally, biking or walking can be great options for short distances or exploring the local area. By choosing eco-friendly transportation options, you’ll not only reduce your environmental impact but also have the opportunity to connect more deeply with the communities you’re visiting.

Bring Reusable Water Bottles and Bags

One easy way to reduce your environmental impact while on a performance tour is to avoid single-use plastics. Bring your own reusable water bottles and refill them as needed to help reduce plastic waste and save money on buying bottled water. Additionally, bringing a reusable tote bag for souvenirs and even carrying reusable cutlery can help reduce waste and promote sustainability on the road.

Plastic bags and utensils are often handed out freely while traveling, creating unnecessary waste. By bringing your own reusable tote bag and cutlery, you can help reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable practices. This is particularly important when traveling to areas where waste management systems may be inadequate. By being conscious of your consumption and reducing the amount of single-use plastics you generate, you can make a positive impact on the environment during your performance tour.

Pack Light

It’s easy to get carried away when packing for a trip, especially when you want to be prepared for every eventuality. However, packing light is not only beneficial for your own convenience, but it also has a positive impact on the environment. The more you pack, the more energy is required to transport your luggage, which in turn leads to a greater carbon footprint. By packing only what you need for your trip, you’ll be doing your part in reducing the environmental impact of your travels.

Consider using a carry-on bag rather than checking in a large suitcase. Not only will this reduce the weight of the plane or bus, but it will also ensure that your bag doesn’t get lost and you’ll save you money on baggage fees.

Packing essential items and versatile, multipurpose clothing that can be mixed and matched will help minimize the rest of your packing. By packing lighter, you’ll find it much easier to move around during your trip, and you’ll be helping to reduce the carbon emissions produced by your transportation. So, next time you’re packing for a trip, remember that less is more when it comes to minimizing your environmental impact.

Support Local Businesses

One way to support the environment and the local community is by choosing locally owned businesses for your meals, shopping, and activities. Shopping at local markets, eating foods that are seasonal, fresh, and native to your destination, and trying out meat-free options can all help reduce your carbon footprint and support local communities.

This not only helps support the local economy, but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and transporting goods. Shopping at local markets and purchasing foods that are in season and locally grown can also help reduce the environmental impact of your tour.

Exploring the variety of meat-free options that are available in the local cuisine can be another effective way to reduce the carbon footprint associated with meat production. The environmental impact of meat production is significant, and making a conscious effort to reduce your consumption can have a positive impact on the environment. By trying out local vegetarian or vegan dishes, you can also gain insight into the culture and traditions of your travel destination while making a positive impact on the environment.

Finally, by supporting local businesses, you’re also supporting the community and its cultural practices. Many locally owned restaurants and shops use traditional cooking methods and crafts, providing a unique cultural experience for travelers. Supporting these businesses can help preserve traditional practices and promote sustainability in the long run.

Reduce Waste and Conserve Energy

In addition to utilizing electronic communication and digital tickets to reduce paper waste, there are many other ways to reduce your environmental impact on your performance tour. Consider turning off the lights and controlling the temperature in your room to conserve energy. You can also opt-out of daily room cleaning to reduce water consumption and chemical use. Taking shorter showers is another easy way to conserve water, while also reducing energy use associated with heating water. By making small changes like these, you can make a significant impact on the environment while on tour.

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These tips are just the beginning of what we can do to make your performance tour more eco-friendly. Our parent company, AIFS, and its subsidiaries are committed to protecting our planet and creating a more sustainable world. As an illustration, AIFS Abroad has made a pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025 through a combination of actions. These include reducing consumption, collaborating directly with local environmental projects, and purchasing verified carbon credits for all program participants to offset carbon emissions.

By making small choices that prioritize sustainability, we can continue to travel and perform while also protecting the planet. Let’s make a positive impact together this Earth Day and beyond.

Have any questions about how you can implement sustainable practices on your next performance tour? Contact us for more information!