EXPLORING THE AREA. â Use public transport where you can. Alternatively hire a bike or walk when exploring. â Please
MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR HOLIDAY
The Travel Foundation is a UK charity that cares for the people and places we love to visit. We are helping the travel industry to take effective action on sustainable tourism in mainstream destinations across the world, improving quality and keeping holidays special into the future.
EXPLORING THE AREA – Use public transport where you can. Alternatively hire a bike or walk when exploring. – Please dispose of cigarettes properly. Wild fires are a serious hazard in many hot, dry destinations. – Please don’t step on or remove any coral when swimming or diving, it’s extremely fragile and takes decades to grow. – Always book wildlife-watching trips with a qualified guide. Wild animals can easily be disturbed, harming their chances of survival. Keep your distance, don’t pursue animals that run/fly/swim away and never feed wild animals. – Consider taking a trip to see dolphins in the wild rather than opting for a swim-with experience. Dolphins find captivity very stressful because they are large, intelligent animals.
TO FIND OUT MORE, INCLUDING – How you can get involved – Tips for your favourite destination – Test your knowledge about greener holidays in our quiz go to www.makeholidaysgreener.org.uk
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HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY GREENER A GUIDE FOR HOLIDAYMAKERS REPORTING CRIME AND BAD PRACTICE Child sex tourism is a criminal offence in all destinations. If you would like to report an incident, contact the local police. You can also report it to Crimestoppers – if overseas +44 800 555 111 or 0800 555 111 (freephone) in the UK. You may also want to report it to your tour operator/travel company. For further information, please contact ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Pornography and Trafficking) www.ecpat.org.uk +44 207 233 9887. If you have any concerns regarding the welfare of animals in captivity, please contact the Born Free Foundation: www.bornfree.org.uk/TAA or 0845 0035960 (24 hour hotline)
WELCOME
TOP TIPS FOR A GREENER HOLIDAY
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR HOLIDAY
BY MAKING SMALL CHANGES TO THE WAY THAT WE TRAVEL, WE CAN ALL MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE TO THE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT IN DESTINATIONS WE LOVE TO VISIT.
BUY LOCAL Buying locally-made souvenirs, eating and drinking at local bars, cafes and restaurants and taking excursions using local guides are great ways to get more out of your holiday and ensure local people benefit from your stay.
BEFORE YOU GO Start enjoying your holiday before you go by doing some background reading on the place you’ll be visiting. Your welcome will be warmer if you take an interest and speak a few simple phrases in the local language.
BY FOLLOWING THE TIPS IN THIS LEAFLET YOU CAN – Help to protect the environment and precious natural resources – Help to protect endangered plant and animal species – Help families that live in holiday destinations to earn a fair living from tourism – Help ensure that local cultures and traditions thrive PLUS YOU CAN HELP TO KEEP HOLIDAYS SPECIAL FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
USE WATER AND ENERGY SPARINGLY Take short showers rather than baths, reuse towels and bed linen rather than having them replaced daily, turn down/off heating and air-conditioning when not required, turn off all lights and appliances when you leave your room. RESPECT THE LOCAL CULTURE AND TRADITIONS Dress and act appropriately for the place that you are visiting – do a little background reading before you go away or ask your holiday rep for advice. REMOVE PACKAGING FROM ITEMS THAT YOU ARE TAKING AWAY WITH YOU Many countries are unable to cope with high levels of waste and don’t have recycling services. PLEASE DON’T HAVE YOUR PHOTO TAKEN WITH ANY ‘WILD ANIMALS’ These animals are often taken from the wild when young, and then mistreated and killed when they get too large or difficult to handle.
Consider offsetting the carbon emissions from your flight with a scheme such as www.reducemyfootprint.travel. Please also remember to take all other action to reduce carbon emissions on your holiday – offsetting isn’t enough on its own.
AT YOUR ACCOMMODATION As well as using water and energy sparingly, please help to reduce waste by using cloth bags instead of plastic, and re-using plastic cups and water bottles. SHOPPING When you buy local souvenirs, always be sure to bargain with good humour and bear in mind that a small cash saving to you could be a significant amount of money to the seller. Please don’t buy products made from endangered or wild animals and plants including coral, shells, starfish, horns, teeth and animal skins and fur. If in doubt, don’t buy.
