Green Globetrotting
A big travel trend and buzz word for 2010 is Responsible Travelling also known as Eco-tourism.

Globetrotting and jet setting has an increasingly negative effect on our planet but there are ways to combat these effects, never fear, your holidays are saved!

Eco-tourism or Ecological Travel is defined as trying to minimize the impact that tourism has on an area through cooperation and management and it encourages travelers to have a positive impact on their new surroundings. With more holidaymakers concerned about the impact of tourism on fragile economies and environments, ecotourism attempts to promote more responsible and ethical travel. Ecotourism is particularly important in relation to nature and wildlife.

The concept of Responsible Travel is a way of traveling abroad and respecting and benefiting local people and the environment.

What can I do to be a Responsible Traveller?
If you want to have a green holiday do you research before you decide on a destination.
The top ten eco-friendly holiday destinations are: South Africa’s wild coast, Egypt’s Red Sea coast, The Mountains of Morocco, Argentina, New Zealand, Ghana’s Upper Guinean Rainforest, Parks in the Congo, Parks in Brazil, Canada and the United States’ Colorado and California.

When booking your holiday choose your travel provider on the basis of their eco principles and practices. For example, your airline, think as to what they do for the environment and what they do to offset their carbon dioxide emissions. Many airlines now allow you to purchase carbon offsets with your ticket for a few extra pounds and many commercial planes are taking off running on 100 percent biodiesel.

Before you embark, educate yourself about the destination you are visiting by reading guidebooks and travel articles. Be aware of local history, culture and customs of the locals before arriving. Learn enough knowledge of the language to be polite i.e. hello, please and thank you. By making the effort to learn even the basics it will be appreciated by locals and enrich your travel experience.

When packing, if you want to bring gifts for local people in developing countries don't give sweets; instead bring clothes and pens, and ask your tour operator or driver to give them to community elders so that you don't encourage begging from the local children.
Learn about the vital eco-systems before arriving at your holiday destination. Find out what the water situation is for example.

Travelling and the Carbon Footprint
The carbon footprint is a word you will be hearing more and more and EVERYONE has one. It is the measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation. Travelling, especially abroad increases this considerably.

Consider your Carbon Footprint when using air travel. You could offset your carbon emissions by using a service from a company like the Carbon Neutral Company , where you can calculate how much your carbon footprint will be and you can offset it by doing things for the environment.

While you are there
When travelling abroad remember that you are a visitor and therefore be aware that your cultural values may differ from those of the locals and it is vital to respect the customs and traditions of your hosts. This may include different concepts of time, personal space and communication.

Be sensitive to the local culture by wearing clothing that is accepted. When touring holy sites always dress modestly. Be aware of people's sensitivity to being photographed; some cultures are scared of being photographed and feel it steals a bit of their soul so always ask first.

If you are on a tour, demonstrate responsible behaviour to other travellers who are less informed than you by acting as an example. It’s also an idea to ask your tour operator or guide what their established environmental guidelines are for limiting and improving tourist impact on the environment and local culture.

Be aware and conserve resources. Be aware of resource shortages such as water and food as many tourist destinations are under increasing pressure.

If you are visiting a developing country or a poor area be sensitive to displays of wealth in front of people. By displaying possessions such as cameras and jewellery, feelings of jealousy may be created which then generates barriers that inhibit genuine interactions between travellers and locals.

You can also contribute to Sustainable Tourism (which is a commitment to making a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income and employment for local people) while on holiday by getting to know and respect the local culture and environment and also by buying locally made products and services to benefit the local people.

What you can do, even the small things make a BIG difference

Ditch the disposals
Tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion may be stocked in hotels around the world, but using them is a bad idea. Many hotels don't recycle the bottles, and even if they do, there's a lot of plastic waste for a little bit of product. The solution? Reuse the shampoo bottle collected on your last trip. Or if you're looking for something more stylish, purchase refillable bottle sets (easily available at Boots or Marks and Spencers) to take with you on your travels.

Create an e-tinerary
Travel itineraries can be long—as in 20-plus pages long. While it's a good idea to always have access to your travel plans, they don't have to be on paper anymore. Save your travel plans to your mobile, iPhone or BlackBerry and your email so you can have your travel plans online, and you can look up details from a computer or your mobile. Most travel agents have software that organizes all bookings and e-mails clients the information. Small but effective!

Hit the (reusable) bottle
When your doctor or travel agent says you shouldn't drink the water, listen —just don't be so quick to open a bottle of water every time you're thirsty. Many all-inclusive resorts bring in large jugs of purified water or they have an on-site water-purification system for their restaurants and dining rooms. After each meal ask staff if you can fill up your reusable water bottle. That way you can stay safe and reduce plastic waste.

Stay out of the pool
If you are going on a beach holiday try avoid the hotel pool and use the ocean! Pools use a lot of water, and the filters and heaters suck energy which all contribute to problems. So next time you're on a beach getaway, resist the urge to sit by the pool all day everyday and try wading into the ocean.

Reuse towels
A lot of hotels are giving guests the option to reuse their towels rather than replacing all towels every day. Whenever this is an option, do it! If the hotel has no policy, place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on your door so the maid won't come in. So long as you're reusing your own towel for two or three days after you have a shower, there's no harm. And the benefit is big: washing towels takes water and energy, both of which are in short supply in many areas of the world.

Happy travels....