BEFORE YOU GO
Will you be using public transportation during your vacation? Will you take advantage of group taxis and vans? Or will you
cycle or walk and see local communities and meet local people firsthand? Other alternatives to consider when planning include traveling by train, which requires half the energy per passenger mile that planes do, or renting a low-fuel consuming, hybrid electric/gasoline powered vehicle.
rental car is well tuned and tires are fully inflated. This will increase your mileage and cut gas costs up to 15 percent.
into account the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from your flights. You can invest in “carbon offsets” or plant trees to offset that amount (sometimes even at your vacation spot) 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.
ically grown by local farmers and ranchers? Are the locals educated about sustainable farming practices?
WHILE YOU’RE TRAVELING Traveling by your own muscle power where possible has unsurpassed health benefits and reduces already high 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. When driving, ensure that your
BEFORE YOU GO Looking at the hotelier’s or tour operator’s marketing materials, what is their environmental policy? Is it obvious? Does it take into consideration environmental, economic
and socio-cultural impacts? Are they actively involved in supporting environmental issues, particularly in the areas visited? Do they raise environmental awareness by distributing environmental or sustainable tourism guidelines to travelers like you? Do they offer training for their staff in these areas?
not to disturb wildlife or wildlife habitats? Do they keep vehicles on designated roads and trails and abide by the rules and regulations of the natural areas they visit?
WHILE YOU’RE TRAVELING Consider ways to improve the state of the environment as a result of your visit. For example, take
Issue No. 3 Going Green Topic DOLLARS
BEFORE YOU GO
Are locals benefiting financially from your trip, directly or indirectly? Is the lodge where you plan to stay locally owned and operated? Does your tour operator employ local people as guides, cooks, crew or suppliers of food? Will you be eating in locally owned restaurants and buying locally made crafts versus imported goods? Where will your food come from? Is it locally produced or organ-
WHILE YOU’RE TRAVELING Be thoughtful about your purchases. Spending money with community or locally run or 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. 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. And be sure not to discriminate against smallscale, com-munity-based programs that can’t afford some of the newer, energy-efficient technologies, yet may have fewer impacts than their competitors.
BEFORE YOU GO
Will you be supporting travel providers who have good conservation ethics? Will your trip strengthen the conservation efforts for, and enhance the natural integrity of, the places you visit? Does it affect locals in a way that causes them to proactively support the preservation of their environment? Do the guides hired by your tour operator foster a respect for the environment, particularly in the areas visited, and encourage their guests to do the same? Do guides take care
WHILE YOU’RE TRAVELING 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,
Chris Lewey
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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