Ecotourism is all about minimising your impact on the environment and the people and cultures that live there.
This can mean you seek to reduce the carbon footprint of your travel, that you choose accommodation that is sympathetic with local habitats, and it also means making your visit a positive experience for the locals - whether financial, through the exchange of knowledge and skills, or through alerting your friends, colleagues and family about pressing local conditions.
Here are some tips on how to enjoy your travel without leaving a mark:
- Check whether your destination takes into account environmental considerations. This can include water usage, waste disposal, and even the materials the buildings are made of.
- Go shopping in small local stores, bargain if appropriate but remember the relative value of the discount you are aiming for may mean very little to you but a lot to the seller.
- Consider contributing to a local charity group. Visit the group while on holiday and spend time learning first hand about their projects. On your return to the UK, try to help the group through networking.
- Learn a few words and phrases in the local language and respect customs and practices.
- Volunteering for a part of your holiday can be a brilliant way of enriching your holiday and giving something extra to the community where you are staying. You could share a skill like teaching English, or spend some time cleaning up some local environments.
There are ever increasing options for responsible travel. Check out the websites below for more information on how you can travel and minimise the impact on the environment, habitat and cultures of your destination.
