Tips for greener holidays
It's Make Holidays Greener week from 2 to 9 July 2011, and each year we pledge our support for this campaign from the Travel Foundation by taking action on the holidays we offer, and by encouraging our customers to look at their holiday habits.
Here are the Travel Foundation's top ten tips for greener holidays. Acting on just three of these can make a real difference in reducing your environmental impact when on holiday.
1. Buy locally
Buying locally made souvenirs and eating and drinking at local cafes and restaurants are great ways to get into the holiday spirit – and also benefit the local community.
2. Respect local culture and traditions
Dress and act appropriately for the place that you are visiting – for instance, in some places it's considered rude to wear a swimsuit or shorts away from the beach, or to enter a place of worship with bare arms. Do a little research before you go away, or ask your holiday rep for advice.
3. Use water sparingly
Many hot countries suffer from periods of drought, and you can do your bit to conserve water by taking short showers rather than baths. You will also help by reusing towels and bed linen rather than leaving them to be washed and replaced daily.
4. Don't take litter on holiday
Many countries are not equipped to deal with large amounts of waste, and do not have recycling services such as we do in this country. Please, therefore, remove the packaging from things you are taking with you on holiday. Doing this will also help to keep the weight of your suitcase down!
5. Book excursions with local tour guides
If you use a local supplier or tour guide, you'll be getting the "real deal", and you'll also be helping to support the local economy. Check with your holiday rep or at your hotel whether excursions use local suppliers. If you want to go exploring by yourself, go on foot, hire a bike, or use public transport – all far more environmentally friendly modes of transport than car hire, and much better for getting a feel for local life.
6. Turn it off!
Don't leave heating or air conditioning on when you're not using it or don't need it, and switch off the TV rather than leaving it on standby.
7. Keep off the coral
Coral and coral reefs are extremely fragile and internationally protected, so if you're lucky enough to be snorkelling in the warm clear waters of south-east Asia or Australia please just marvel at these ecosystems with your eyes, and don't touch, step on or remove any coral.
8. Be choosy about having your photograph taken
The little chimp may look cute as you pose with it for a street photographer, but it may have been taken out of its natural wild environment when very young and it may end up being mistreated or killed as it grows larger or becomes too difficult to handle. Be wary about the use of any "wild animals" for tourist purposes.
9. Book safari trips with a licensed and trained guide
Licensed experts will make sure you enjoy your day out without disturbing or threatening the wild animals you have gone to see.
10. Don't buy wildlife products
Endangered plants and animals need our help to protect them, so please don’t buy products made from endangered or wild animals and plants, including coral, shells, starfish, horns, teeth and animal skins and fur.
There are lots more ideas on the Travel Foundation's Make Holidays Greener website.
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