Sustainable vacation

Energy has become a luxury in 2022. But that's not the only reason why more and more people want to vacation sustainably. It's primarily about preserving natural resources and protecting our environment. It's about continuing to hike across green meadows and through fragrant forests, swimming in crystal-clear lakes, or enjoying the view of a snow-white winter landscape. Sustainability and climate protection will therefore still be on our minds long after electricity prices have plummeted again. How can you make your vacation as sustainable as possible? We've done some research and summarized the results in five steps.

Traveling in an energy-saving and environmentally friendly way isn't a spontaneous decision. This decision must be made during the planning phase and asked: Which goals can be achieved sustainably? Is there accommodation in my chosen destination that embraces environmental principles? And what offers will help me save energy?

The internet is helpful for research, but these days almost every hotel and holiday region claims to be particularly "green" on their websites. Therefore, to be on the safe side, make sure that the sustainability orientation is supported by concrete examples.

This step is probably the easiest to implement and is closely linked to the choice of vacation destination. Does it always have to be your own car... or even a plane?! Those who spend their vacation at home enjoy a pleasantly short trip and experience untouched nature, a rich cultural life, and top-class international hospitality. And the best part: Austria's transportation infrastructure is excellently developed.

Many attractive destinations are easily accessible by public transportation. Sometimes there's even an electric shuttle waiting at the train or bus station. And even during your stay, you'll hardly be without your vehicle (here's a practical test).

"If I'm vacationing at home anyway, I should be able to drive there and around in my car," some might think. But small things add up: According to the VCÖ (Austrian Association of Austrian Travel and Tourism), one kilometer in a gasoline car produces around 14 times more CO2 emissions than one kilometer by train.

What's the point of a sustainable journey if the hotel doesn't pay attention to energy efficiency and environmental protection? Very little. Therefore, keep your eyes peeled when choosing accommodation! Sustainable energy generation, for example, through photovoltaics or district heating, is practically a must-have for conscious hosts. There are also many other ways to conserve resources.

One approach that's literally OBVIOUS is purchasing local food – it means short delivery routes. But not only do we have the best ingredients for our cuisine and service right on our doorstep; regional building and insulation materials such as wood, stone, or wool also improve the carbon footprint of both hosts and guests.

Sustainable hotels can be recognized by corresponding awards: The Austrian Ecolabel, the EU Ecolabel, and the membership certificate of the Austrian Climate Alliance indicate that a business adheres to strict ecological criteria. In all three cases, the label holders are regularly inspected by independent bodies.

A conscious host lays the foundation for a sustainable vacation. But even as a guest, you have a certain responsibility. This begins before you leave by unplugging all unnecessary appliances, turning off the heating and boiler, and turning down the refrigerator. Simple behavioral tips for your stay: Avoid avoidable waste, throw unavoidable waste in the trash (this should go without saying, but unfortunately isn't always the case), conserve water, and reuse towels more than once.

During your stay, the rule is: keep your hands off your everyday electronics. Afterward, however, it's time to get to work on your keyboard. Anyone who has experienced a sustainable vacation, who has eased their social conscience and still feels completely relaxed – or perhaps because of it – and who has found just the right hotel for that, should spread the word. On booking platforms, on social media, among friends, or at work – everywhere. Because that's the only way to encourage as many people as possible to also choose energy efficiency, ecology, and sustainability.

Leogang is the ideal destination for conscious guests, and the Hotel Der Löwe lebe frei (Live Free) is the perfect accommodation. Our 4*S hotel is located in the heart of the town center and is ideally connected to public transport. We are an alternative to mass tourism and, supported by our family member and business consultant, Mag. Johann Madreiter, have made great progress in recent years toward a climate-neutral tourism future. A small excerpt from our catalog of measures:

Energy generation through district heating (biomass) and photovoltaics, green electricity from hydropower
Certified products in the areas of cleaning and hotel cosmetics
Energy-efficient construction with regional building materials
Sustainable kitchen philosophy with a high proportion of organic products
Promotion of sustainable travel (3 percent environmental bonus for train travelers)
Electric mobility on site: the hotel's own electric vehicle is available for hotel guests, as is – since September 2022 – the "Loigom Shuttle" operated by the Salzburg Transport Association and the municipality of Leogang
Sounds too good to be true? Then put us to the test. We look forward to your visit!