Sustainable Destinations in Asia
Asia is full of stunning places to explore, but not all travel experiences are kind to the planet. These days, a lot of people are becoming more conscious about the impact their vacation trips have on the environment and local populations.
According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report from 2024, 75% of global travelers wanted to travel more sustainably in the coming year. The report also found that 57% of travelers were conscious about reducing their energy consumption and 54% wanted to use more sustainable transport options.
Thankfully, Asia offers countless spots that let you travel guilt-free while supporting local communities. So, whether you’re planning a peaceful mountain escape or a beachside getaway, knowing how to choose eco-conscious destinations can make your trip more meaningful. Let’s look at a few options today.
How Safe is Asia for Travellers?
While it’s great to focus on sustainability, some people tend to be worried about how safe parts of Asia are, especially for women. Broadly speaking, Asia can be safe for travellers, but the level of safety varies a lot depending on the country, region, and your behaviour.
Some of the developing parts of Asia raise eyebrows because of how crowded and chaotic they appear, but with good planning, you don’t have to be worried. Besides, unfortunate incidents happen everywhere, even in highly developed nations.
One news story came out earlier this year about a Japanese taxi driver who had assaulted over fifty female passengers. The man used sleeping pills to abduct women to his home, where they were assaulted. In the U.S., countless women who have suffered similar experiences are searching for an Uber sexual assault lawyer to seek compensation and justice.
As TorHoerman Law notes, Uber apparently knew about repeated reports of driver misconduct but didn’t act.
Thus, one mindset to let go of is that travelling in a developing country guarantees you a bad experience. So, with that said, let’s look at three great destinations that match your desire to travel sustainably.
1. Koh Lipe, Thailand
Koh Lipe rests at the southern edge of Thailand in Satun Province, within the boundaries of Tarutao National Marine Park. This small island has become a laboratory for how tourism and ecology can coexist without one overwhelming the other.
The coral reefs surrounding Koh Lipe are under close protection, and local tour operators now follow guidelines that limit boat anchors and restrict the use of sunscreen harmful to marine life.
What makes this place distinctive is how local communities participate in conservation. The Urak Lawoi’, an indigenous sea gypsy people, are central to the island’s identity. Their fishing traditions and ocean knowledge guide many of the eco-tour initiatives that visitors join.
If thinking about sustainability, try to opt for Koh Lipe’s small-scale guesthouses rather than the big tourist resorts. You end up supporting the local population, who find it difficult to compete against the giant resorts.
3. Penang, Malaysia
Penang challenges the idea that sustainability only thrives in untouched nature. The island’s capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that balances historical preservation with contemporary creativity. Many of its century-old shop-houses have been transformed into cafes, co-living spaces, and art galleries, allowing the architecture to stay alive through new use rather than decay.
Penang’s government has made steady progress toward its Green Agenda 2030, which emphasizes reducing emissions through bicycle networks, electric public transport, and efficient waste systems. The goal is to make sustainable choices the norm rather than a niche option.
The country as a whole has also introduced the Sustainable Tourism Recovery Project to ensure that tourism benefits both visitors and the local population. Datuk Dr. Yasmin Mahmood, Chairman of the country’s tourism promotion board, also underlined this. According to Mahmood, sustainability was at the heart of the country’s tourism strategy.
Social equity also plays a part. While other tourist cities often lose their local character when development accelerates, Penang keeps its hawker centres thriving and accessible. The island’s famous food culture shows how heritage and sustainability can nourish each other. What’s more, despite its rapid growth, the city has managed to expand tourism without eroding its cultural or environmental foundations.
3. Angkor, Cambodia
Angkor’s vast temple complex in Siem Reap continues to face the challenge of managing millions of footsteps while maintaining spiritual and historical integrity.
In 2023, the Angkor Archaeological Park recorded 385,769 foreign visitors in the first half of the year. This was a massive 543% increase when compared to the previous year (59,983 travellers). Entrance fee prices are also set nominally at $72 for a 1-week pass.
The APSARA National Authority, which oversees the park, has introduced crowd-control measures, pathway redesigns, and vendor regulations to ease erosion and protect fragile stonework.
Preserving Angkor is not only about keeping ruins intact. For thousands of Cambodians, the site represents both cultural pride and livelihood. Sustainable tourism here means maintaining a delicate balance: keeping the temples open to the world while ensuring that the surrounding villages benefit economically.
Visitors are now encouraged to explore the wider Siem Reap area, where eco-lodges, handicraft cooperatives, and reforestation projects form part of the same preservation ecosystem.
The slower pace of recovery has given the park time to reassess how to welcome travellers responsibly. Those who walk its ancient corridors with patience can sense the stillness that has endured through centuries.
Heading to Cambodia? Be sure to discover these delicious typical Cambodian dishes.
