How to travel responsibly

responsible travelTravelling in harmony with the planet is no longer about munching mungo beans in a tipi or stalking rhinos on an expensive conservation holiday in Africa. There are now lots of ways you can tread a little lighter, whether you're on a city getaway or Mediterranean beach holiday

What is Ecotourism?
Everyone knows of a place that they once visited that has been changed for the worse by tourism: the white, sandy beach that is now overcrowded and littered; that pretty rural village that has become a tourist trap (replete with MacDonald's), or the beautiful untouched landscape that has been bulldozed by a huge hotel development. Ecotourism puts something back into the places we visit, so future generations can continue to enjoy them in the future. It's about being mindful of the consequences of how our holiday can impact on the environment as well as making sure that the local communities benefit from our holidays too.

What you can do: before you travel
Aviation is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gases. By choosing an alternative to flying, such as rail or coach, you can help reduce the impact of your journey. Most cities in the UK are served by trains, while Eurostar has made many European cities reachable by rail.

If you do fly, consider 'offsetting' your carbon emissions. Organisations such as Climate Care and The CarbonNeutral Company help you calculate how much carbon is produced as a result of your flight and suggest a financial contribution you can make for them to invest in green projects to 'offset' the carbon produced -such as tree planting initiatives. A return flight to Morocco, for example, will cost you just £5 to offset.

What you can do: while you're there
By staying in locally owned hotels and eating in local restaurants you can make sure your holiday benefits local people. You can also help put something back into the local economy by buying food and souvenirs from markets or craft co-operatives rather than airport or foreign-owned hotel lobby shops. Local markets are great places to find everything from rugs to jewellery and local arts and crafts. And once back in the UK, you can buy crafts from developing countries through the Traidcraft mail order catalogue or one of the British Association of Fair Trade shops, which ensure producers work in good conditions and are paid reasonable wages.

Even the smallest actions can make a huge difference to your holiday's environmental footprint. It might seem inconsequential at the time, but turning off the lights, heating and air conditioning when you leave your hotel room can make a significant difference to the hotel's use of energy.

Water conservation is also important as it is often a very scarce resource in holiday destinations. Many hotels now request that you only put out those towels that you need washing rather than washing all your towels every day. Consider also whether you need to take on holiday the packaging that comes with clothing and toiletries; if you recycle the packaging before you go away you won't have to dispose of it abroad where there might not be a recycling programme.

Also, while it is better to buy products from local markets, you should avoid buying products made from endangered plants, wild animals, hard woods or corals, as this encourages locals to continue selling them to tourists. And if you go snorkelling or diving, it's vital you observe the golden rule not to touch any coral - a handful of coral often takes decades to grow but can easily break and die in one careless moment.

Beware of 'greenwashing'
Although the way we travel can make a huge difference to the places we visit, the term 'ecotourism' has also been abused by some unscrupulous travel companies looking to make a fast buck out of the eco label. It can sometimes be hard to tell which hotel or travel company is telling the truth about its eco credentials and which are merely using the term as 'greenwashing'.

If you're unsure whether your hotel or travel company is eco-friendly, there are a few organisations that can point you in the right direction. Green Globe is a worldwide label that recognises hotels and travel companies that have been certified for their environmental achievement.

In the UK, The Association of Independent Operators lists travel companies that have achieved its three star status for responsible tourism, including undertaking a specific project which contributes to the economy, culture or environment of a destination.

You can also ask if your holiday company has a responsible travel policy: they should be able to demonstrate how the trip helps benefit local people, such as staying in locally run hotels, hiring local guides and visiting local markets. For holidays in the UK, The Green Tourism Business Scheme recognises certified hotels and other green places to stay. These are likely to provide sheets made of cotton, use biodegradable detergents, provide recycling bins and have an environmental leaflet in each room that gives tips on how to be more environmentally friendly.

Making just a few small changes to the way you travel can make a huge difference, not just to the local environment but also to the people who live in the places we so love to visit.

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