Is someone in your life an avid traveler? Looking for gift ideas or suggestions for people who always have a trip booked or spend their days daydreaming about the next one? We’ve got you covered.
From gift certificates to eco-friendly stays in countries around the world to sustainability-made bags, we’ve found a broad range of travel-related ideas for this holiday season — all with a sustainable angle for seeing the world while helping keep it healthy.
North Stars: Certifications, Waste Management, Wildlife Ecosystems
A high-quality neck pillow is always a solid gift choice for frequent fliers, and Cabeau is a cut above the rest. This B Corp-certified, plastic-neutral company’s neck pillows use 100% recycled memory foam and cut down on shipping emissions and waste by compressing each pillow for more efficient shipping and using packaging made from recycled materials. They also partner with CleanHub to help with plastic clean-ups around the world. Not only good for the planet, but the Neck Evolution S3 neck pillow is better for you as well, thanks to a supportive, ergonomic design that keeps your head and neck supported and comfortable for flights and trips of all lengths.
Airalo eSim, Starts at $4.50 a plan
North Stars: Waste Management, Wildlife Ecosystems, Community Support
In order to stay connected while on the go, travelers often have to purchase new SIM cards for their phones. But once they’re done, all those plastic cards are simply discarded. Billions of SIM cards are manufactured each year, which results in millions of pounds of plastic waste sent to landfills. With eSims — electronic SIM cards easily downloaded onto a phone — there’s no plastic waste or emissions from production. Airalo offers eSims for over 200 countries around the world for plans starting as low as $4.50, making it a perfect, affordable gift for jet-setting loved ones. Airalo is also involved in various environmental and social justice initiatives, from supporting well-building projects in Africa to helping war-displaced Ukrainians stay connected by providing data services through the Help Ukraine Connect Fund.
Tomorrow’s Air Gift Subscription, Starting at $10/month
North Stars: Waste Management, Carbon Footprint, Climate Actions
Do you have a friend or family member who seems to spend more time in the air than on the ground? Do they ever express concern about the emissions produced by their travels? 1% for the Planet member Tomorrow’s Air is a traveler collective dedicated to making the air cleaner through various carbon removal projects and promoting the use of sustainable aviation fuel. Either through a one-time purchase or gifting a subscription, you can help the frequent fliers lessen their environmental impact. Make a one-time purchase for as little as $20 or purchase a subscription starting at $10 a month. The monetary amount is proportional to how many kilograms of carbon is removed from the atmosphere; $10 a month equals 10 kg of carbon removed and permanently stored through vetted, trusted carbon removal and storage services.
North Stars: Waste Management, Carbon Footprint, Energy Efficiency
As an outdoor gear company, Nemo Equipment is serious about walking the sustainability walk — what good is encouraging people to explore the great outdoors if it’s being destroyed? Their office runs on 100% renewable energy, they measure and track their carbon emissions to reduce waste, and with their Endless Promise line, they aim to keep products out of landfills by making outdoor gear that’s fully recyclable at the end of its lifecycle. Part of the Endless Promise collection, every element of this 30L daypack can be recycled and is made from recycled fabrics and other materials. But beyond that, it’s also a solid choice for a travel backpack: sturdy, comfortable, waterproof, and with plenty of storage like a zippered shoe compartment. It’s also compact enough to take as a carry-on.
North Stars: Waste Management, Wildlife Ecosystems, Certifications
Gifting travelers with a piece of high-quality luggage that can withstand even the worst baggage handling and will last for a long time is always a safe bet. Sturdily built and made with environmentally-friendly bluesign® certified fabrics and materials, this bag doubles as either a wearable duffel bag or wheeled luggage. The collapsible design allows for easy storage and its 85-liter capacity provides plenty of space for packing. Plus, it’s from a company with tons of sustainability cred; Osprey uses recycled materials for its bags and outdoor gear and partners with bluesign® to create hardy, outdoor products that are PFAS-free.
Ecobnb Gift Card, Starts at $20
North Stars: Carbon Footprint, Waste Management, Water Management
Similar to Airbnb, Ecobnb is a service that allows travelers to find unique accommodations around the world, but with a sustainable twist: they have to be eco-friendly. Hosts and accommodations need to meet different sustainability criteria to join, like using renewable energy, saving water, and recycling, helping reduce emissions and waste. Ecobnb also helps support environmental projects like reforestation and is a zero-emission, clean energy company whose servers are powered by renewables. Their gift card option is an easy way to give the gift of travel, with price amounts starting around $20 USD.
North Stars: Certifications, Waste Management, Carbon Footprint
It used to be that fanny packs were the biggest fashion faux pas, but not anymore. Also known as hip packs, these compact, convenient carriers are officially in style and perfect for traveling, allowing you to carry essentials throughout the day instead of lugging around a giant purse or backpack. Slinging around your waist or looped across your chest, it also keeps necessities like passports and wallets safe from sneaky pickpockets. We love this option from eco-minded outdoor retailer Cotopaxi — it’s fun and colorful, made from 100% recycled materials, and assembled at Fair Trade Certified™ factories that adhere to fair labor and pay practices.