Redefining Sustainable Travel: Aahuti Sejpal

In Conversation with Aahuti Sejpal

All of us agree environmental responsibility is paramount, but one changemaker is reshaping the way vegetarians and vegans experience the world. Aahuti Sejpal, the founder of The Veggie Travels, a travel company dedicated to curating vegetarian-friendly itineraries, is not just helping travelers enjoy their meals abroad but also championing a movement toward more sustainable, culturally immersive travel. With a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism and a deep belief in responsible travel practices, her journey is both inspiring and impactful for solo female travelers, environmentally conscious explorers, families, groups and anyone looking to travel with a purpose.

Her story begins during the pandemic when, living in Spain, she faced the same challenges many vegetarians face while traveling: finding enjoyable and accessible vegetarian food. Frustrated by the limited options, she started a blog, sharing local vegetarian food discoveries in Spain. Her stories quickly resonated with fellow vegetarians, and soon enough, she was receiving requests for personalized travel itineraries. What started as a passion project blossomed into a full-fledged business, The Veggie Travels, which now curates thoughtful, vegetarian-focused travel experiences for individuals and groups alike. The company’s core mission is simple yet powerful: vegetarian travel should be a delightful, enriching experience, not a struggle.

Beyond her expertise in vegetarian cuisine, Aahuti brings a wealth of travel knowledge to the table. Her early twenties were marked by budget travel and immersive cultural experiences across 15 countries in just three months, where she volunteered abroad and embraced the diversity of global cultures. These formative experiences shaped her vision for The Veggie Travels, particularly her desire to empower solo female travelers—especially those from India. She understands the cultural barriers that often prevent women from traveling alone and believes that with the right support and guidance, these challenges can be overcome. “Travel is not just about seeing the world,” she says, “it’s about stepping into your own power.”

Looking ahead, The Veggie Travels aims to expand its reach by fostering a global community of vegetarian travelers. Aahuti is also focused on promoting vegetarianism within India, encouraging international visitors to explore the country’s rich vegetarian food culture. She has even launched vegetarian food tours in Mumbai, where travelers can explore local cafes and restaurants offering hygienic, authentic vegetarian options, catering to the growing number of international visitors who may find it challenging to find reliable vegetarian dining in India.

Sustainability is another cornerstone of her mission. Aahuti firmly believes that adopting a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle is one of the most impactful ways to combat climate change. Her experiences, including a recent trip to Antarctica, where she witnessed the severe effects of climate change firsthand, have only reinforced her commitment to promoting sustainability within the travel industry. She advocates for responsible travel that not only minimizes environmental harm but also supports local communities. This broader view of sustainability, she explains, extends beyond just plant-based eating and encompasses practices such as minimizing plastic use, choosing eco-friendly accommodations, and ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism. Another valuable recommendation Aahuti provides is selecting airlines and flight combinations with the lowest emissions, highlighting her dedication to reducing the carbon footprint and safeguarding the environment.

Ultimately, it’s about taking responsibility, which also positively impacts the destination country and its communities. Sustainable travel is all encompassing, it begins at the point of origin, includes the time spent at the destination, and extends to the journey back home.

In her view, responsible travel is about more than just eco-conscious choices; it’s about being aware of your impact as a traveler. “It’s not just about avoiding plastic; it’s about respecting the local culture, choosing locally-run accommodations, and understanding the environment you’re in,” Aahuti explains. This is the philosophy she brings to her curated travel experiences. Instead of the typical tourist activities, her itineraries are designed to immerse travelers in local cultures. For example, during a group trip to Spain, participants didn’t just watch a flamenco show—they learned to dance and cook traditional dishes, forming a deeper connection to the Spanish way of life.

Her commitment to sustainability also extends to the food choices she promotes. Aahuti encourages travelers to explore local vegetarian and vegan cuisines beyond their familiar options. “When Indians travel abroad, they often look for Indian food, but that limits the experience,” she says. Her itineraries highlight diverse vegetarian dishes from various cultures, ensuring that her clients savor the rich variety of flavors the world has to offer while staying true to their dietary preferences.

However, the path is not always smooth. Vegetarian travelers often face challenges such as finding suitable cheese options or overcoming language barriers in unfamiliar places. Aahuti emphasizes the importance of asking questions about ingredients and understanding local food customs to navigate these challenges effectively. By offering practical advice and tools, such as using apps like Happy Cow to find vegetarian-friendly restaurants, she helps her clients enjoy their travels with confidence and peace of mind.

Through her business, Aahuti is also working to educate the wider travel community about the availability of diverse vegetarian and vegan options around the world. Her social media platforms are filled with inspiring content that highlights everything from vegetarian airline meals to the growing number of plant-based dining options in restaurants worldwide. She hopes to inspire both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike to broaden their culinary horizons and appreciate the diverse, plant-based foods that the world has to offer.

The Veggie Travels is about more than just providing vegetarian-friendly travel options. It’s about creating meaningful, responsible, and sustainable travel experiences that empower travelers to explore the world on their own terms. Aahuti’s journey demonstrates the power of combining passion with purpose, proving that travel can be both a celebration of our planet’s diversity and a step toward a more responsible and sustainable future. Aahuti is not only changing how vegetarians experience the world, but she is also encouraging us all to rethink the way we travel—one conscious trip at a time and prioritizing the environment when we are at home and travelling abroad.