Responsible traveler

• Be considerate - of the communities and environment you visit.
• Don't litter. Try to carry your own shopping bag to avoid contributing to the plastic problem in many countries of the world.
• Try to avoid excessive waste and the use of plastic bottles (in many countries there is no way of disposing of these, therefore creating plastic mountains due to tourism).
• Reduce energy consumption. Unplug your mobile phone charger, turn off the lights...
• Conserve water. Take shorter showers... the average hotel guest uses over 300 litres of water per night! In a luxury hotel it is approx. 1800 litres!
• Always ask before taking photographs. If someone says no, respect their wishes.
• Educate yourself about the place you are visiting and the people.
• Respect cultural differences - and learn from it! People in different places do things differently - don't try to change them - enjoy them.
• Dress respectively. Cover up away from the beach. Cover your head in religious places. Notice local dress codes and adhere to them.
• Do not purchase or eat endangered species (e.g. turtle egg soup, crocodile handbags)
• Support the local economy. Buy locally made souvenirs, eat at local restaurants - enjoy the local culture!
• Do not give pens, candy or other gifts to local children - it fosters a begging economy. If you wish to donate, contact a local school or tour operator who can ensure the gifts are distributed fairly and properly.
• Do not support the illegal drug trade or the sex trade.
• Take public transit. Or if you must rent a car - why not a hybrid or electric one if available? Support a local charity or organisation that works towards responsible>
• Before you go, ask your travel provider (tour operator, travel agent) about the company's environmental and responsible tourism policies - support those who support responsible tourism.
• Ask your accommodation provider (hotel, guest house, and lodge) about their sustainability practices - do they compost? Recycle? Do they have fair labour laws? Do they have an environmental policy?
• Support responsible tourism organizations - those operators who publicly are aiming to make tourism more responsible.
• Support local organizations – either in the place you visit or where you live