Most of us want to be more responsible when we travel, whether it's carbon offsets or taking advantage of sustainable tourism options. The folks at Earth 911 have sought the advice of responsible tourism expert Raj Gyawali to provide tips for how to be a steward of the environment while traveling abroad.
His first piece of advice is "don't be shy."
"Try to find out what the connection is between the land and the people, learn about their cultures and traditions regarding their land. This will enrich your trip and help you better understand how people live in the area," says Gyawali.
He also recommends trying not to leave a trace.
"Follow the simple principles of centralizing garbage, minimal-impact camping, maximizing resource conservation, and using alternative energy sources whenever possible," he says.
Another way to be responsible is to contribute to the local economy.
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"For this to happen, the onus is on you, the traveler, to be aware of the country, how it functions, and how to spend your money so that it reaches the local economy. Considering you are a traveler in a new land, it's hard to know how to maximize your contributions, but even having a consciousness to do it better is a big step in the right direction," says Gyawali.
Looking for more tips on how to be responsible on the road? Read on here for further advice.
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