India’s median age is currently around 28 years, making it a land where the youth form a majority of the demographic. By embracing their responsibilities towards planet earth, the country’s young travellers are creating a shift in the way they experience the world. Sustainability, eco-friendly experiences and conscious-travelling are all part of the evolved itineraries of these young globetrotters. If there is one country that can impart invaluable lessons on how to travel responsibly to preserve the earth and have fun while at it, it is Switzerland.
Switzerland Tourism unveiled its Swisstainable Strategy back in 2021 to make the country the world’s most sustainable travel destination. Here are some of the country’s innovative initiatives that attract young travellers from across the world:
Swiss Travel System (STS)
Want to help reduce carbon emissions and save the earth from choking? Hop on to Switzerland’s well-oiled, punctual public transport system. The Swiss Travel System is the world’s most effective public transportation system that fully integrates air, train and bus travel. Powered primarily by clean hydropower, the system considerably reduces the carbon footprint minimizing any negative impact on the Alpine region.
With one Swiss Travel Pass, a traveller can access an extensive network of rail, bus and boat routes covering 26,000 km across Switzerland. A train journey in Switzerland generates 20 times less CO2 than a car journey on a comparable route. With the country’s biggest transport company SBB’s (Swiss Federal Railways) eco-friendly transport solutions and its drive to move major traffic onto the railways, Switzerland saves five million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to 10% of the country’s overall emissions!
Water & Food
Switzerland holds about 6% of the continent’s fresh water reserves and is considered the water castle of Europe. Potable, drinking water is available across all towns and cities from taps and fountains maintained by the municipality. Compared to other European countries, Switzerland has above average large water reserves to fall back on with its several lakes, glaciers and natural groundwater. Only 2% of annual rainfall makes its way into drinking water reserves.
The Swiss consume the most organic products per capita that their global counterparts with the Swiss retailers leading the international sustainability rankings for years. Earthy, seasonal organic vegetables, deploying technology to ensure less food waste and other social integration projects are taken very seriously by the restaurant industry that has been consciously working towards a more considerate and respectful approach to nature. More than 5,000 restaurants have joined the ‘Too Good To Go’ movement in order to help combat food waste. Every year, the country celebrates World Vegetarian Day with great aplomb, encouraging restaurants to whip up a range of authentic and innovative vegetarian dishes using fresh, seasonal, local green produce.
“Switzerland has been blessed by Mother nature with its treasure of natural beauty and resources. The people of the country understand that a healthy, green way of living can only be achieved by protecting nature. As more young Indians travel to Switzerland, we are seeing them increasingly respect the regard the locals have for their environment. As a result, we see a shift in their attitude too as they gravitate more towards natural, experiential and sustainable travelling experiences. In fact, it is so encouraging to learn that Indian travellers are the highest users of the Swiss Travel System! We look forward to the youth rewriting the new chapter in sustainable travel after their Swiss experiences. As part of our ongoing Swisstainable campaign, we also encourage Indian travellers to stay longer, to explore and immerse themselves in local culture and experiences, and sample seasonal produce sourced locally.” said Ritu Sharma, Deputy Director and Marketing Head – India at Switzerland Tourism.
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