Green Travel

Posted by TravelKorner on November 27, 2015 in Travel Advice | Leave a comment

The United Nations conference in Paris next week on global climate change, has begun to stir interest in the tourism sector. Over the past decade numerous global issues have draw the limelight from climate change to terrorism and a new cold war.

Eco tourism is a general term used to describe responsible practices that focus on economic, socio-cultural, and environmental sustainability. As travellers we witnessed concerted efforts by tour operators and transportation services shift business practices towards sustaining and preserve the ecological integrity of the environment and foster local community development to ensure future generations heritage and prosperity survives intact.

Here are some tips on Eco travel to help you be a little greener on your next trip:

Transportation. Consider how you to a destination is best to travel by train rather than airplane whenever possible. The chart below is useful guide based on distance and numbers in your party. Once in the destination you also has an impact, so chew over whether a walking tour or bicycle tour with a local guide will acheive your goals. If its self-guide use public transportation or rent a hybrid vehicle.

Corporate responsibility. Weight the options of offsetting the carbon dioxide emitted of your travel based on and purchase your trip from travel companies with environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impact policies. Ask the tour operator or travel agency if they have research of the travel tour products they are offering. Such as the  reduce, reuse, and recycle… the efficient use of water, energy, and building materials as well as the method of waste disposal used by transportation or accommodation providers.

Protection and Conservation. Strange as it might sound your visit to a protected areas and wildlife habitats goes beyond demonstrating an economic value, it strengthens local environmental conservation efforts and enhance the natural integrity by drawing public attention for protection.

Honour local culture. Its why many of us travel to foreign countries. To become immerse in the differences of another culture, to expand our understanding of their customs and social norms. Learning a few words is a tremendous ice breaker and might help in haggling over a better price on a must have souvenir.

Spend locally. There are plenty of tours, restaurants and souvenirs shops run by local people or benefit community groups that can benefit from your trip spending. Ask your tour operator on how you can help spend locally.