Ecotourism

Nowadays, many of us try to live in a way that will damage the environment as little as possible. We recycle our newspapers and bottles, we take public transport to get to work, we try to buy locally produced fruit and vegetables and we stopped using aerosol sprays years ago. And we want to take these attitudes on holiday with us. This is why alternative forms of tourism are becoming more popular all over the world.

1. There are lots of names for these new forms of tourism: responsible tourism, alternative tourism, sustainable tourism, nature tourism, adventure tourism, educational tourism and more. Ecotourism probably involves a little of all of them. Everyone has a different definition but most people agree that ecotourism must:

· conserve the wildlife and culture of the area;

· involve the local community;

· make a profit without destroying natural resources.

2. Tourists stay in local houses with local people, not in specially built hotels. So they experience the local culture and do not take precious energy and water away from the local population. They travel on foot, by boat, bicycle or elephant so that there is no pollution. And they have a special experience that they will remember all of their lives. This type of tourism can only involve small numbers of people so it can be expensive. But you can apply the principles of ecotourism wherever you go for your holiday. Just remember these basic rules.

3. Learn about the place that you're going to visit. Find out about its culture and history. Learn a little of the native language, at least basics like «Please», «Thank you», and «Good morning». Think of your holiday as an opportunity to learn something.

4. Wear clothes that will not offend people. Always ask permission before you take a photograph. Remember that you are a visitor. Stay in local hotels and eat in local restaurants. Buy local products whenever possible and pay a fair price for what you buy.

5. If the area doesn't have much water, don't take two showers every day. Remember the phrase «Leave nothing behind you except footprints and take nothing away except photographs». Take as much care of the places that you visit as you take of your own home. Don't buy souvenirs made of endangered animals or plants. Walk or use other non-polluting forms of transport whenever you can.

6. Don't be afraid to ask the holiday company about what they do that is «eco». Remember that «eco» is very fashionable today and a lot of holidays that are advertised as ecotourism are not much better than traditional tourism. But before you get too enthusiastic, think about how you are going to get to your dream «eco» paradise. Flying is one of the biggest man-made sources of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Friends of the Earth say that one return flight from London to Miami puts as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as the average British car in a year. So don’t forget that you don’t have to fly to exotic locations for your “ eco” holiday. There are places of natural beauty in your own country that you’ve never visited.