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7 Mins “Experiences Instead of Gifts” – A Sustainable Experience Gift Guide 2025 December 14 In December, it’s easy to fall into the trap of last-minute gift hunting: objects, wrapping, courier boxes, unnecessary compromises. A more sustainable approach is often simpler too: giving experiences instead of gifts. A well-chosen activity not only creates memories but also supports the local economy, reduces unnecessary consumption, and often has a smaller environmental impact than buying yet another item. This guide will help you choose an experience gift that truly brings joy while being mindful, local, and seasonal.
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7 Mins In Search of St Lucy’s Day: Witch Tales, Magic and Common Sense – Sustainable Winter Getaways 2025 December 13 13 December, St Lucy’s Day, is one of the most symbolically rich days in Hungarian folklore: it is associated with both light and darkness, prohibitions, divinations, fertility magic, and yes, the figure of the witch. The green of the Lucy wheat, the legend of the Lucy chair, or the ‘kotyolás’ tradition all reflect how our ancestors tried to take control of the darkest period of the year – through communal rituals, playful (and sometimes frightening) stories, and practical protective customs.
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5 Mins How is climate change reshaping our European travels? 2025 December 08 In recent years, more and more of us have noticed that travelling is no longer quite the same as it used to be. Record-breaking hot summers, unexpected floods, wildfires, and a lack of snow on Alpine ski slopes – these issues not only make headlines but also influence our travel plans. A 2024 European study examined how climate change is shaping the future of tourism and how we perceive travel destinations, safety, and experiences.
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6 Mins In the Footsteps of St Nicholas – Memorial Sites in Europe and Beyond 2025 December 05 Virtual tour on St Nicholas' feast day
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6 Mins Gastronomy Tourism and Sustainability in 2025: Inspiring Best Practices from International Trends 2025 November 17 Wine and gastronomy tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in global tourism. The global market has now exceeded a value of $11.5 billion, which is estimated to reach $40 billion by 2030. In connection with this, gastronomic travel is increasingly focusing on sustainability: more than half of international tourists seek out producers and businesses that represent responsible farming, local ingredients, and community involvement, according to the latest edition of the “Report on Gastronomy Tourism in Italy 2025.”
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3 Mins Swap Crowds for Stories: Why Off-Season Travel Makes Sense 2025 November 02 Places and people truly meet in the off-season. Peak season is loud, fast, and crowded. Outside those peak months, the pace slows, providers have time for you, and spaces can breathe. When you travel off-season, you receive higher-quality attention, connect more authentically with locals, and leave a smaller environmental footprint. This trio is why, for us, the off-season isn’t a trick—it’s a mindset.
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3 Mins Green Transition in Travel – How Does the EU's Green Transition Programme Support Tourists? 2025 September 20 The European Union's Green Transition programme might initially sound like regulations, directives, and dry EU reports to many. However, the goal is far more tangible: creating a tourism environment where visitors can make decisions based on truly transparent information and feel confident that their choices contribute to a more sustainable future. From autumn 2026, this will no longer be just a recommendation but a mandatory practice across EU member states, ensuring tourists everywhere can plan their trips based on reliable and comparable data. The programme not only sets requirements for destinations and service providers but also enriches the everyday experiences of tourists.
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10 Mins Sacred Wonders and Sustainable Experiences – 5 European Marian Shrines Everyone Should Visit 2025 September 03 Marian shrines have been centres of faith, culture, and community identity for centuries. In modern times, however, they are not solely about religious experiences: increasingly, these sites are becoming highlights of holiday and excursion itineraries. Many of these locations also set an example in sustainability – whether it’s environmental protection, energy efficiency, or community involvement.
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5 Mins Lakes, Rocks, Spirits – 6 Natural Wonders in Transylvania You Must See Before You Die 2025 August 28 Harghita County lies in the heart of the Eastern Carpathians, with its dense pine forests, volcanic mountains, and fairy-tale lakes making it one of Transylvania's most diverse natural regions. The area is rich in geological formations millions of years old, crater lakes bearing witness to ancient volcanoes, salt karst formations, and limestone gorges. This geological diversity offers unparalleled opportunities for nature exploration and mindful, value-based discovery. Visitors to Harghita County will not only encounter breathtaking landscapes but also gain insight into a past shaped deep within the Earth – and by exploring these treasures in an environmentally conscious way, they can contribute to preserving the region. Here, we present six unique locations that are among the natural treasures of Harghita County.
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6 Mins Fighting food waste as a tourist – small choices, big impact 2025 August 24 The experience of travelling is closely tied to gastronomy. When exploring a new city, one of the first things we often do is sample the local specialities, enjoy the abundant offerings at a hotel breakfast or on the terrace of a cosy restaurant. But while we indulge in new flavours, it’s easy to order too much or leave half the food on our plates. This seemingly small habit is one of the drivers of global food waste.
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4 Mins Tourism in the shadow of climate change – insights from a newly published study 2025 August 18 A few days ago, the study titled Tourist demand and destination development under climate change: complexities and perspectives was published, examining the relationship between tourism and climate change. The authors use literature reviews and case studies to demonstrate how demand and supply are transforming and which destinations are most at risk.
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5 Mins Time travel, geological wonders, flavours: sustainable adventures in the Novohrad–Nógrád Geopark 2025 August 14 The Novohrad–Nógrád UNESCO Global Geopark, as Europe’s first cross-border geopark, uniquely connects the natural, geological, and cultural treasures of Hungary and Slovakia. The geopark not only focuses on preserving geological heritage but also adheres to the principles of sustainable and responsible tourism – in line with GSTC standards and the Sustainable Development Goals. The active involvement of local communities, the protection of cultural heritage, and the sustainable use of natural resources all contribute to ensuring that the region remains liveable, authentic, and attractive in the long term. Here are five iconic locations to explore, offering not only a glimpse into the diversity of the geopark but also the chance to experience sustainable travel.
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4 Mins Sustainable Tourism by 2030 – How Can We Achieve the Goals Together? 2025 August 09 Tourism is often considered the world's "happiness industry" – experiences, relaxation, discovering new places. But as planes fill up and hotels report record bookings, the downsides of mass tourism are becoming increasingly evident in many parts of the world: overburdened ecosystems, displacement of local communities, and the rapid depletion of natural resources.
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6 Mins Refreshing Adventures, Smart Water Use – Sustainable Water Experience Tips from the Carpathian Basin 2025 August 04 While water is becoming a luxury in many parts of the world, we in the Carpathian Basin still enjoy its abundance – but this is no excuse for wastefulness. One of the greatest challenges of climate change is water scarcity: drying lakes, desertification, and overburdened water resources remind us that freshwater is precious. This abundance comes with responsibility. The Carpathian Basin remains rich in water resources: mineral springs, thermal lakes, waterfalls, streams, and interactive water experiences await visitors. But cooling off in the summer can also be a conscious choice – where water experiences are not just services but part of a sustainable mindset. In this selection, we showcase places where enjoyment and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. Water-related attractions – spas, waterfalls, lakes, and museums – not only provide entertainment but also educate on sustainable water use. We've gathered some locations where water experiences are not just services but integral to environmental awareness.
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7 Mins Discover the Sustainable Wonders of Harghita County – 7 Locations, 7 Experiences, 4 Seasons 2025 July 30 Harghita County is the sustainable heart of Székely Land: a place where time slows down, nature comes closer, and culture is not a museum exhibit but a living reality. While the closure of the Praid salt mine left many uncertain, this period truly highlights the diverse and rich offerings of the region.
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5 Mins Conscious choices in relaxation – what does it mean if a place has a GSTC-based sustainability certification? 2025 July 27 In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of travellers who not only seek experiences during their trips but also aim to reduce their ecological footprint and make a positive impact on the places they visit. According to Booking.com’s 2023 report, 76% of guests expressed a desire to travel more sustainably, and 41% regularly look for such options when booking. A similar study by Expedia revealed that an increasing number of users are willing to pay more for accommodation with credible green certifications.
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4 Mins New international research: the sustainable tourism market is booming 2025 July 21 According to the latest forecasts from Market Research Future (MRFR) as of July 2025, the global sustainable tourism market could grow tenfold by 2034. The research trends speak for themselves.
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4 Mins Exploring Local Flavours – How to Support a Region’s Cuisine Responsibly 2025 July 20 Travel isn’t just about sights – it’s about flavours too. A plate of local food, a piece of artisan cheese, or a pastry from a small family bakery can open a door to a region’s culture like nothing else. But culinary delights go beyond personal enjoyment: with the right choices, you can make a real impact on the local economy, culture, and sustainability.
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4 Mins More than memories: what and how to photograph while travelling – ethically? 2025 July 18 Photographs taken during a journey play an important role in preserving memories. A well-captured moment can bring back the atmosphere of the trip, the scent of the landscape, the memory of conversations. At the same time, a photograph is not just a personal imprint but also a message: it influences how others perceive a particular place or community. This is why, for the conscious traveller, photography becomes an ethical question. It matters what we capture – and how we do it.
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4 Mins The future of tourism is green, or it has no future – Travalyst calls for climate action, I-DEST responds 2025 July 17 Travalyst, the international initiative founded by Prince Harry, made a bold statement in July 2025, calling on the entire tourism sector to take climate action. The call clearly states that preparing for climate change is not optional but a responsibility – particularly for those in the tourism industry.
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6 Mins Travelling with the SDGs – Exploring a new kind of tourism 2025 July 16 Travel today means far more than just relaxation or seeking adventure. For an increasing number of visitors, it’s important that the journey they embark on not only provides experiences but also represents values. But what does this mean in practice? And what does it mean to travel in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
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3 Mins How to reduce your ecological footprint while on holiday? 2025 July 13 Exploring the world is a wonderful experience – but it's important not to leave too big a footprint behind. Our ecological footprint matters not just in our daily lives but also when we travel. The good news: you don't have to give up on adventures, you just need to plan more consciously! Here's how you can make your travels more sustainable – step by step.
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1 Mins How to spot sustainable accommodations – 7 simple signs to look out for before booking 2025 July 07 Nowadays, more and more accommodations advertise themselves as “green” or “eco-friendly” – but how can you really tell if that’s true? Sustainability is not just about recycled paper towels and a few plants at the reception desk.
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2 Mins What does sustainable tourism really mean? – Facts, myths, and practical examples 2025 June 29 "Sustainable tourism" is a term that seems to pop up everywhere these days: in hotel advertisements, travel guides, blogs, and grant applications. But what does it really mean? And what are the common misconceptions about it? It's time to clear things up – preferably with a refillable bottle. 😉
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2 Mins 5 tips for sustainable packing – travel with a green mindset 2025 June 29 Sustainable tourism isn’t just about where you travel to, but also how you prepare for the journey. Packing can be eco-friendly if you make conscious choices and plan ahead. Here are 5 simple yet effective tips to make your suitcase help the planet!
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3 Mins 5 Hungarian Destinations Where Sustainability Matters 2025 June 29 The future of tourism is moving towards responsible, community-focused, and sustainable solutions. In Hungary, more and more destinations are striving to balance memorable experiences with environmental, social, and cultural sustainability. I-DEST supports these locations in progressing along this path in a measurable, credible, and visitor-friendly way. Here are five exemplary Hungarian destinations.
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3 Mins 7 tips for choosing sustainable destinations 2025 June 29 Travelling today is no longer just about collecting experiences – it's also about taking responsibility. Tourism has a significant impact on the environment, local communities, and cultural heritage. But why should you choose sustainable destinations? Here are 7 compelling reasons that benefit not only the Earth but also the traveller.
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