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Summary: Responsible Travel is all about making your holiday as environmentally friendly as possible. Here are our top tips to help ensure your break is as green as possible.

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Travelling Responsibly

There are so many arguments against foreign travel and holidays – global warming, environmental damage – that the up side is often overlooked. Tourism can have a positive impact too, and many countries that depend on tourism for a successful economy can be damaged by us not visiting.

To fly or not to fly? Carbon Emissions and Offsetting

The most important factor in any holiday is of course the destination. It is possible to get to many places without flying, although of course time and distance considerations may make it the only option.

In order to reduce your overall carbon footprint, plan your route – could you go by train to the airport for example. The smallest changes can help reduce carbon emissions.
Fly direct. More carbon emissions are emitted during take offs and landings than at any other time during the flight, giving stop covers a high carbon cost. Shorter flights can also help in reducing emissions.
Off set your carbon emissions. Carbon offsetting involves calculating your emissions and then buying ‘credits’ from emission reduction projects. The money is invested in carbon reducing projects around the world, offsetting the emissions caused by your flight These projects have prevented or removed an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide elsewhere.

If using the services of a travel operator, ask to see their policy for responsible tourism. Make sure they explain how they minimize environmental impacts and support the local economy of your chosen holiday destination.
Take the train or ferry. There are so many destinations that can be reached by train or ferry, the journey can become part of the holiday itself. There is no reason why you can't book a resort or hotel, then arrange travel separately. Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Malta, Morocco, Eastern Europe or Scandinavia can all be reached easily and affordably by train & ferry.

Before you Travel

Once you have decided and booked your holiday, there are some additional things you can do before you leave to reduce your environmental impact. Thinking about these things now can make your holiday all the more enjoyable on many fronts.

Limit amount of packaging. We often buy new stuff to take on holiday, and don’t think about the impact of disposing of the packaging may have. Waste disposal is more difficult in some developing and remote countries, we at least have many more recycling opportunities in the UK.
Learn a few words of the local language. This more than anything else will endear you to the people of the place you are visiting and shows you have made an effort.
Familiarise yourself with the local customs. In some places a simple ‘thumbs up’ sign can mean something entirely different!

When you Arrive

Being ‘green’ on your holiday is a relatively easy thing to achieve if you just take a little time to consider your actions. For example, In many places, water is a precious commodity and it is a known fact that tourists tend to use much more than is sometimes necessary.

If you have opted for a self catering arrangement, buy produce sourced locally rather than imported goods. It is often much fresher and tastier too!
Have a shower, and time it! Although more water efficient than a bath, an surprising amount of water is still used if you run it for ages. Or turn off while soaping, then turn again to rinse. Easy!
Hire a local guide. You will find out so much more about your destination and its culture, and often will see much more than the usual tourist by visiting places away from the hordes. And of course it will provide them with an income.
Respect local traditions and holy places. Would you honestly visit a church in the UK in your beach wear? So why do that whilst on holiday? If you are not sure whether you can visit a particular place, ask rather than just go in.
Use local public transport or hire a bike. Try walking, it’s a great way to meet local people and has the added benefit of no pollution and is great exercise!
Don’t’ expect things to happen immediately. It can take a few days to get used to a less frantic way of life, and time has a different concept for many other cultures. And don’t forget you are on holiday to relax!

Finally, remember the most important adage of all:

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.

As our world become smaller through travel, the pristine places become more accessible and therefore more at risk of being spoilt, this has never been more relevant than now.

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