Tips for considerate tourists

Leave nothing but footprints" goes the old Native American saying, and as we set off for our trip, we should take care not to make a negative impact on our holiday destination.

A survey this year by the Christian charity Tearfund found that seven out of 10 holidaymakers favour tourism that benefits local people. And in a poll by Travel Mole, a tourism online news service, 54 per cent of respondents said their choice of holiday was influenced by whether it had green credentials.

Green Globe is a worldwide sustainable tourism organisation set up after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.

Today there are Green Globe communities and companies across the world, from Aruba in the Caribbean to Bournemouth in Britain. They include international hotel groups, tour operators and resorts.

You too can make a difference by following our Green Globe health check:

* Take care of your rubbish and use water thoughtfully. Rubbish costs money to clean up and conserving water is the world's top environment challenge.

* Reduce the amount of energy you use. Be sparing with electricity. Turn off the lights and television whenever you go out.

* Buy locally produced organic food and drink where possible. Experiment with tastes and you will support local farmers and women's groups.

* Respect countryside, paths, buildings, monuments, people and traditions. You are a guest in someone else's home - leave it unscathed, as you would want yours to be.

* Find locally made souvenirs and avoid shells or animal skins. Buy genuine souvenirs, not mass-produced imports, sweat-labour products or protected species.

* Walk or cycle and get fitter on holiday. Use local transport - it will give you a new perspective on life. Plant a tree to help control carbon emissions.

* Keep your music low-volume. Use your mobile phone only when you need to.

* Respect wildlife, flowers and nature. Take pictures, not samples.

* Look for a travel company and destination that has a Green policy - they will care about the environment as much as you do.


* Geoffrey Lipman is chariman of Green Globe21 and a former President of the World Travel and Tourism Council.

- INDEPENDENT