Written by guest blogger Emma Higgins. Emma has been writing and traveling on and off since 2009. Her blog, Gotta Keep Movin’, is full of stories and advice from her trips, which include Europe, India, Morocco, South America, the USA and Canada. Her main focuses are budget travel and volunteering, and she has been involved in sustainable farming in Argentina, animal shelters in Peru, and even tried her hand at making goats cheese in British Colombia.
As the travel industry has evolved, the phrase ‘responsible tourism’ has been increasingly used, so much so that it’s almost become an obligation for companies and tourists alike to keep it in mind for any trip. But how many of us know what responsible tourism actually is? Well, it encompasses many aspects of travel, but there are a golden few that will apply to all kinds of tourists on any trip. The main objective is to ensure that your travels do not have a negative impact, in terms of the environment, economy, conservation, and more. You’re a guest in the country you’re visiting, and having the respect for the place you’re in is high on the list of priorities for responsible travel.
Flights
Traveling responsibly starts from the second you book your flights. To be the best green tourist possible, it would actually be better to not fly at all, but in a lot of cases, that’s not really an option. Try to use flight companies that make an effort to offset their carbon emissions and use biofuels. Unfortunately, some of these methods have proven to be insufficient in neutralising a plane’s energy use, but it’s a start.
If you’re on a longer trip and traveling through a country or continent, use public transport like buses or trains as 
much as possible, instead of short flights. These will obviously take you longer, but the difference inenvironmental impact is phenomenal; in some cases, they can be a lot cheaper than flying. You may even have the added bonus of going through some beautiful scenery that you can enjoy along the way.
Green hotels
The hotel industry is probably one of the fastest evolving sectors in terms of responsible tourism. Hotels have now caught onto the fact that their more eco-conscious customers will look for what hotels do to help their area before booking a room. When searching for accommodations, have a look on hotel and hostel websites to see if recycling programs exist for both the hotel and for customers’ personal use. Also, check to see that hotels of interest have methods of making sure they use their resources wisely, like water and electricity, a team of local staff and locally-sourced food or drink, and ways in which they help the surrounding areas in terms of conservation. All of these factors are basic starting points for an eco-friendly hotel, and if the information isn’t on their website, don’t be afraid to email the hotel directly and ask. If the hotel really is green, its representatives should be knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions.
Local Economy
It is extremely important to use resources and businesses from the local area as much as possible when you’re abroad. Supporting the local economy will help the people from that place support themselves and sustain their livelihoods for years to come. If you’re going on a tour, request a local guide. Not only will this contribute to local economy, the guide will also know the sights better than anyone else and be able to give you his or her own personal account and experiences. In poorer countries, these people need the income more than the expat guides working in the area, and by helping one person, you’re helping the community.
Responsible tourism really boils down to developing a greater understanding of where you are and leaving that place without a negative trace. As travelers, we want to ensure that the world continues to see tourism as a positive thing, and that can’t happen if people are traveling and leaving the locals disappointed with travelers’ actions. Keep in mind all of these things to make your travel experiences positive, and your trips abroad will benefit far more people than just yourself.
Read about United Planet’s Responsible Travel and Sustainability Policies on our website.
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