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Accommodations.
Seek out hotels, lodges and resorts that use environmentally
sensitive, renewable energy, water and waste disposal systems
as well as recycled building materials or those that are harvested
in a sustainable manner. Take the initiative to: reduce your
water input by opting out of daily washing of linens and towels;
and reduce your energy usage by turning off lights, television
and air conditioners when not in use. Look for lodgings that
emphasize local traditions, providing rooms and common areas
that reflect the local culture and heritage. |
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Bargaining.
Although bargaining is expected in many cultures, don't pinch
pennies when negotiating. You may get carried away when trying
to find the best deal possible but keep in mind how this affects
others. Pennies to you may mean as much as an entire family's
meal. Remember that you are probably a lot more well to do than
your hosts. |
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Educate
yourself. Foster a true understanding of the natural and
cultural environments visited, before, during, and after the
visit. Choose destinations that are not overcrowded or overdeveloped.
Read up on the communities you plan to visit ahead of time,
chat with the locals, and try to speak their language. Put yourself
in their shoes. Ask before taking photos and respect their wishes
if they refuse. |
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Global
warming. Consider ways to improve the state of the environment
as a result of your visit. For example, take into account the
amount of carbon dioxide emitted from your air flights. You
can plant trees to offset that amount or donate to an organization
that will plant them for you. Calculate how much energy your
travel consumes and how many trees you might plant to compensate
for it. For more information, visit MyClimate
Carbon Offsets. |
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Guidebooks.
Remember that your guidebook is just that - a guide. It is not
your travel bible and it doesn't know everything. If you want
to truly experience a place, head off-the-beaten-path a bit.
Talk with the locals, visit the places where they spend their
leisure time, and explore! |
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Home
away from home. Understand that our hurried concept of time
is not the same in other cultures and that local people's thought
patterns differ from your own. Learn to appreciate these differences.
And think about sharing some of yourself with the local people
you plan to meet. Consider packing small gifts from home for
your hosts, but be sure they are of personal and practical manner
and aren't sending the wrong message. Your travel provider should
know or be in a position to ask the local community what would
be of most use to them. |
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Protected
areas and wildlife. Be sure to familiarize yourself and
follow all advisories, rules and regulations when visiting protected
areas and wildlife habitats. Whether they're voluntary or required,
the fees you pay to enter these areas support local efforts
to conserve them. Stay on the trails and leave these areas cleaner
than you find them. In viewing wildlife, do not disturb it or
its habitats, as animals lose quite a bit of feeding and breeding
energy while fleeting from human approach. |
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Spending
money. Be thoughtful of your purchases. Spending money
with community or locally run/owned businesses benefits local
people, their families and communities. The money you spend
on local artists and performers also encourages the preservation
of their cultural heritage.
However,
take care not to buy souvenirs made from old-growth trees
or derived from endangered forests, such as teak. Or items
made from endangered species, like ivory or tortoise jewelry.
As whether products are made from renewable resources or if
local authorities approve the trade.
And
be sure not to discriminate against small-scale, community-based
programs that can't afford some of the newer, energy-efficient
technologies, yet may have fewer impacts than their competitors.
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Support
sustainable tourism. Remember that your travel choice makes
a difference. Provide feedback to travel providers and accommodations
as well as government agencies that manage the areas you visit.
Fill out their comment cards and suggest steps management might
take to integrate sustainable business practices into their
operations, providing examples whenever possible. Promote and
support conservation from abroad after returning home. |
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Transportation.
Traveling by your own muscle power where possible has unsurpassed
health benefits and reduces already obnoxious levels of Carbon
Dioxide that traveling puts into our atmosphere. Otherwise,
public transportation is a much better way to interact with
the locals and is better for the environment.
Good
alternatives include traveling by train which only requires
half the energy per passenger mile than planes do or renting
a low-fuel consuming, hybrid electric/gasoline powered vehicle.
When driving, ensure that your rental car is well tuned and
tires are fully inflated. This will increase your mileage
and cut gas costs up to 15%.
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Waste
Disposal. Be conscientious of your waste disposal. Many
places don't have recycling programs and few pristine places
have adequate waste disposal systems. Try to carry out anything
toxic like batteries and/or non-biodegradable waste. Avoid using
containers made of Styrofoam or non-recyclable plastic and consider
packing a water-filtering bottle. |
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Animal welfare. Worldwide, many animals serve travelers by carrying baggage and serving as transportation. Sadly, some are badly cared for, overworked and/or overloaded. Keeping animals that serve tourism interests in good health is costly. However, travelers can promote animal welfare by rewarding their patronage to tourism providers who take care of their animals.
Travelers should always pay a fair price, usually $100 USD/Euro per person per day which may include a meal and outside of the U.S., overnight accommodation. Travelers should also make responsible decisions related to animal-based tourism (e.g. heavy people should not ride on thin horses) and report animal abuse to major animal welfare programs like PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
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International Institute for Peace through Tourism Credo of the Peaceful Traveler.
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