Responsible tourism simply means holidays that care about local communities and culture as well as wildlife conservation and the environment. Responsible travel expands beyond the traditional notions of environmentalism and encompasses socially conscious travel. It means understanding, respecting and supporting the cultures and people in the area you are visiting.

Tips for responsible travel

Choose a responsible operator
Ask to see the tour operator's policy for responsible tourism. Make sure it explains how they minimize environmental impacts and support the local economy.

Your accommodation
Patronise hotels and resorts that have earned the EPA’s Energy Star for using less energy than average buildings and emitting less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, or those that have earned the eco-friendly “Green Key” or “Blue Flag” seals of approval. Several governments have initiated green certification programs and any hotel or resort stay can have a green theme by following some simple eco tourism tips.

Small gesture from you:
- Pack essential toiletries like soap and shampoo instead of using those hotel mini-bottles. The
  environmental impact of disposing of those adds up over time.
- Participate in hotel linen programs by letting management know that it is not necessary to
  change towels and sheets every day.
- When leaving a room for the day, turn off the AC / heat, lights and television.
- Participate in hotel recycling programs where available by placing recyclables in appropriate bins.

Reduce your carbon emissions
Perhaps, you may want to reduce the amount you fly, rather than fly the same as before and then offsetting….Simple ways to reduce your carbon emissions are:
- Take fewer and longer holidays
- Take some holidays closer to home
- Travel by train and public transport, where possible
- Book direct flights avoiding transfers and multiple stops
- Use public transport in destinations, where possible
- Carry less baggage. Heavier baggage weight means more fuel burnt.

Green tourism vacation destinations
One way to stay green while traveling is to go to green places. There are an impressive number of eco-friendly travel destinations to choose from. To qualify as a green vacation destination, a location should

- Be walk-able and bicycle-friendly to minimize the need for motorized transportation
- Have a local focus on revitalisation projects that lower pollution
- Feature a significant use of energy that comes from renewable resources
- Have a sustainable agricultural base that permits the use of locally and organically
  grown foods to minimize the need for outside shipping
- Offer eco-friendly travel lodging options

Do not buy list
Many products which you want to purchase may either be banned or not entirely eco-friendly. Some products regularly bought by travelers, are given below:

- Tigers, Leopards & Jaguars. Please don’t buy skins, handbags, coats and other products made
  from them.
- Traditional Medicines. The tiger is also threatened by demand for traditional medicines. Other
  medicines may contain tiger bone, rhino horn or other endangered plants and animals.
- Turtles & Tortoiseshell. Jewellery, combs, sunglasses or even whole shells from sea turtles are
  often available on exotic islands. If you want to help these species survive, please don’t buy.
- Elephant Ivory. Ivory and elephant products are banned in many countries. Even if they aren’t
  banned, avoid buying them !
- Bush meat. The meat of any wild animal hunted for food - bush meat may pose a health hazard to
  both humans and domestic livestock. Trade in dead specimens of plants and animals, and any
  parts derived from listed species, are also controlled so that trade does not threaten the survival
  of the species in the wild.
- Orchids & Cacti. Wild specimens of certain plants are banned from trade in many countries.
- Coral. You need to be sure that coral necklaces, earrings and ornaments are not derived from
  endangered species. These are not always easy to identify on market stalls or in shops so if
  you’re unsure, don’t bring them home.
- Reptile Skins. Many reptile skins such as crocodiles snakes and lizards are covered by strict
  import controls in many countries. These products include snake skin boots, bags, belts, shoes or
  watch straps. These controls vary depending on the species involved and the country of export
  - some only require export permits and others are banned altogether.
- Caviar. Species of sturgeon and their caviar are usually covered by controls.

At TripRoyale, we support responsible travel and are constantly building an information database a database of responsible travel initiatives.

If you are a traveler, you may get responsible vacation plans and accommodation ideas from us. If you have had a responsible holiday, we would love to hear from you. Please write to sales@triproyale.com

If you are a travel service provider, you may add your Listing on the TripRoyale portal and let us know the eco-friendly initiatives you have undertaken. We will include these on our database and ensure that you get the visibility your initiatives merit. Please write to listing@triproyale.com