World Wildlife Fund's Hot Tips for your Next Vacation...
- Make tourism and conservation compatible - the money
you spend on your trip helps determine the development and direction of
tourism. Use your money to support reputable, conservation-minded tour
operators and suppliers.
- Learn about the culture and customs of the areas you
will visit before you go.
- Visit parks and nature reserves - visitor demand and
tourist expenditures support existing protected areas and can lead to the
protection of additional nature. Get any necessary permits before visiting
nature reserves or other protected areas. Leave these areas as you found
them and do not disturb the wildlife there.
- Choose lodgings that have effective waste treatment
systems, that recycle, that are energy efficient, and, where possible,
that use environmentally friendly energy sources such as solar energy or
hydroelectric power.
- View and photograph wildlife from a distance and
remember that in the optimal wildlife viewing experience, the animal never
knew you were there. Suppress the natural temptation to move too close and
respect signs of distress such as alarm calls, distraction displays,
laid-back ears, and raised hair.
- Conserve water - take showers rather than baths, and
use a refillable water container, sterilizing water when necessary, rather
than buying bottled water.
- Limit energy use, including your use of air
conditioning and hot water. Turn off all lights and taps when you leave
hotel rooms.
- Minimize your use of personal care products and
detergents to wash linen, and reuse your hotel towels and bed-linen.
Dispose of sanitary waste properly. Don't flush cotton buds, condoms,
tampons and plastics down the toilet - or you might just find them on the
beach next time you visit.
- Respect the environment, stay on trails during hikes,
do not remove plants or feed animals, and never litter. At the sea do not
take any corals, shells, dried fish, starfish, sea-fans and other marine
souvenirs - removal can seriously disrupt ecosystems. Navigation in reef
water needs special care - do not anchor on reefs which can be easily
damaged.
- Recycle newspapers, magazines and your beverage
containers (many can be returned for refunds), and reduce the number of
bags, napkins and disposable cups you use when you eat fast food.
- Reduce your car use - choose other ways to get around
like trains, buses or bikes. Share taxis and take shuttles to and from the
airport. Encourage drivers to turn off their engines when they're parked,
or stuck in traffic.
- Respect local culture, traditions and religious
places. Insensitive behaviour such as taking photographs of people without
their consent, or failure to observe local customs, can cause offence.
Note that being nude or semi-nude is unacceptable in public and illegal in
some countries (e.g. Islamic countries).
- Reduce the impact of your recreational activities by
avoiding sports which have a significant harmful impact on the environment
or choose more progressive establishments (e.g. golf courses which recycle
water).
- Respect rules and regulations, pay attention to
signals and behave responsibly (e.g. do not light fires where it is
forbidden).
- Say "No" to Bad Souvenirs
Some souvenirs could end up costing a lot more than you paid for them.
Think twice before you buy any products made from any endangered species,
including animal hides and body parts, tortoise-shell, ivory, or coral -
they could be illegal.
Visit WWF-US's
Buyer Beware website for information that can help you say
"no" to illegal wildlife products. And check out our tips;
Ten things not to buy for Christmas
- Your feedback makes a difference. If a tour, tourist
service, or supplier was environmentally sensitive and informative, or if
it could have been better, tell the owner or operator.
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