In the realm of sustainable and eco-friendly travel, few voices resonate as clearly as Kris Kemmetinger’s. With a deep passion for both travel and environmental stewardship, Kris has dedicated her career to promoting sustainable practices in the travel industry.

As the founder of KrisKemmetinger.com, she shares her journey and insights on how to make travel more eco-conscious while creating memorable experiences. In this interview, Kris opens up about her background, the pivotal moments that shaped her commitment to sustainability, and her advice for travellers looking to make a positive impact.

COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND WHAT INITIALLY DREW YOU TO SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY TRAVEL?

I've loved traveling since a young age. During my studies, I lived abroad in various cities and enjoyed learning new languages and immersing myself in new cultures. After that, I worked in the Marketing & Sales Department of several multinational companies. During this time, I continued to travel extensively, but now more for work and often with limited time at each destination.

Meanwhile, I have my own digital content agency and work as a teacher with young people. These two roles combine my passion for social media and travel very well.

I believe it has become increasingly evident that the direction our society has been taking concerning climate issues wasn’t sustainable and can’t continue. Climate issues challenge us all in our daily lives, regardless of where we live on this planet. Therefore, I decided to contribute something beneficial!

Additionally, since having my own little boy, this desire has grown even stronger. I strive to live and travel as sustainably as possible – starting with small actions, such as waste separation, continuing with responsible consumption, choosing eco-friendly means of transportation, and supporting sustainable and eco-social companies.

WHAT PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OR MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE LED YOU TO PRIORITIZE SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR TRAVELS?

These experiences were horrifying and happened in two consecutive years. The first was in Athens, where it was 47 degrees Celsius. During our road trip along the coast, we saw multiple wildfires. A local farmer told us it hadn’t rained for over half a year and showed us his parched land. While dining outside at a restaurant that day, it was not only incredibly hot but flakes of ash from the surrounding fires began flying around in the air and covering our food.

The second eye-opening experience occurred in Borneo, far from civilization. We were staying at an island retreat in the South Pacific and took a walk around the small island after dinner. We were shocked to discover mountains of plastic just beyond the neatly maintained beach strips of the resorts. Even during the boat ride to and from the island, we had to stop several times because plastic waste had become entangled in the boat’s engine.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND STARTING KRISKEMMETINGER.COM, AND HOW HAS YOUR VISION FOR THE BLOG CHANGED OVER TIME?

My sister and I travelled a lot with our parents from a young age. I associate travel with many positive aspects and unforgettable family memories from around the globe, which I’ve always loved sharing with others. As a student, I had more time than money for long overseas trips on a shoestring budget. Times have changed, and now, with two different jobs, a marriage, and a newborn, my responsibilities have increased. But my passion for traveling remains the same, and now we view quality time from a completely different perspective. We value time much more, indulge in relaxation and a healthy lifestyle, and enjoy great cuisine and wellness spots for body and soul where we can take a break from everyday life. We’ve already taken our 6-month-old on all our trips and love showing him this beautiful world and all it has to offer.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU OFFER TO TRAVELERS, WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE THEIR TRIPS MORE SUSTAINABLE AND ECO-FRIENDLY?

On every trip, there’s a sustainable option! Consider if short-term flights are truly necessary, avoid flights where possible, and prefer trains and local/regional options. Support eco-friendly systems (there’s a huge variety available already) and avoid single-use plastics wherever possible!

WHAT ARE SOME MYTHS OR MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL THAT YOU OFTEN ENCOUNTER AND WOULD LIKE TO DEBUNK?

In my opinion, it’s not about abstaining from something you love to do but rather about asking yourself if there are sustainable or more eco-friendly options to fulfil your desires and dreams (such as a night/sleeper train ride instead of a flight to your destination) or supporting eco-friendly resorts and travel agencies. You’ll be surprised by the beneficial options that exist when you start searching for them!

HOW DO YOU APPROACH SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL AS A FAMILY, AND WHAT UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED?

Of course, it’s easier traveling alone, instead of having a child in one hand and carrying everything else in the other. But there are excuses for everything! So do what you love now and don’t wait forever. The same goes for family travel. Since having our boy, we definitely plan ahead more, reserve seats, or organize transfers and tours for families.

The goal is definitely to continue doing what we love, and to introduce our little one to this amazing world.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FAMILIES WHO WANT TO START TRAVELING MORE SUSTAINABLY?

Especially as a family with small children, there are many different options depending on the budget, such as family hotel organizations in various countries or kids’ workshops offered by non-profit organizations or institutions. These opportunities expose children to flora, fauna, and sustainability at a young age, empowering them to help build a better future and environment. Even camping is a great option, and activities like cleaning the beach together or securing sea turtle nests can be enjoyed as a family and can be very educational.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME FAMILY-FRIENDLY ECO-DESTINATIONS THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO OUR READERS?

As we live in Europe, nearby regions are the most sustainable for us to travel to. We enjoy visiting places like South Tyrol, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece, or exploring more of our own country, Austria. You can find more detailed travel inspiration on my Instagram @kriskemmetinger and wonderful routes and travel guides on the travel blog: KrisKemmetinger.com.

In general, the train system in Europe is a great choice for transportation, as it is well-established and connects most European countries efficiently.

Kris Kemmetinger’s journey underscores the profound impact that mindful travel can have on both our planet and our personal experiences. Her commitment to sustainability not only enhances her travels but also inspires others to consider their own environmental footprint. By sharing her personal stories and practical tips, Kris offers valuable guidance for those eager to explore the world while making a difference. As we continue to seek out ways to travel more responsibly, Kris’s insights serve as a reminder that every small step towards sustainability counts.