Ecotravel Rules
Whether you are travelling the world or in your own community, there are a few rules to live by to make sure you are promoting the conservation of cultures, economics, and the environment.
Study Up
To get the most out of travel, prepare for your trip before you leave home. Learn about your destination. There are many travel books in your local bookstore, library, or on the internet. If travelling to a foreign country, it is a great sign of respect to learn a few key phrases in the local language.
Spend locally
Whether for a tour guide, transportation, food, or souvenirs, pruchases help the local economy. In fact, many destinations depend on tourists for their income. There is the opportunity to impact the economy and learn the culture.
Conserve natural resources
Don’t be wasteful of a cummunity’s resources. Resources such as water, wood, food, and gasoline may be harder to get than you think. Try to find smaller ‘green’ hotels that have less environmental impact. Avoid going to a foreign country and look for your normal food. Absorb the local culture by sampling the local food.
Be respectful
Tourists are visitors. Be respectful of the people who call your destination home. Consider the clothes you wear and how you speak in public.
Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints
One small stone or shell may not seem like much, but repeated over and over again could leave a beach barren. Leaving trash only means someone else will have to follow behind, picking up after you. Or worse yet, it stays put. In general, treat locations as you would your own home, while you may not live there, others do.
Take an eco-vacation
There are thousands of adventures to be had. Far above your normal vacation, eco-vacations and eco-adventures deliver an experience that will live with you forever. One of my favorites is where you go to South America for a week, you receive daily surfing lessons in the morning, and in the afternoon you are tending sea turtle nesting grounds. There are many active or passive options around the world. I know my next vacation will be an adventure. I will be sure to tell you about it here.
