Who doesn’t want to travel around the world, meet new people, and be exposed to other cultures? But other than making sure they’re comfortable when travelling, most people often don’t think about their cumulative effect on the places they’re visiting.

Unfortunately, the increase in tourism in many popular travel destinations has also resulted in an increase of pollution, and many of us are not even aware of the impact we leave as tourists. 

When travelling, think of it as being invited into someone else’s home. The last thing you want to do is to mess up their home, right? Likewise, to be a responsible tourist, also need to be conscious about things like waste management, recycling, and anything that has to with being minimising your impact on the environment.

Below are 10 simple tips to help you do just that.

1. Walk or Bike Around

Leave real footprints instead of carbon footprints.

If you can, walk or bike to the tourist attractions you’re looking want to visit. You get to save money, minimise your carbon footprint and get to be up close and personal with the place you are visiting.

If your destination is just a walking distance away, don’t get a cab. If you have to ride, use public transportation instead of getting a private car. Strap on your walking shoes and enjoy the sights.

Also, travel overland if possible. Taking out unnecessary airfare can reduce your carbon footprint dramatically.

• Bring Your Own Water Container

This helps in two ways. Not only do you save money on water (which can become a big expense the longer your travels are), you also won’t be leaving empty plastic water bottles around.

You’re most likely going to end up throwing or leaving a plastic water bottle anyway since you can always just buy another one. If you carry around your own water bottle though, you’re sure to always have water on hand, and you have less waste. You can always fill up on drinking water from the hotel or restaurants you visit.

• Save Water

Speaking of water, try to minimise your water usage. Clean water is still hard to come by in some areas, especially in islands that depend on regular shipments from the mainland.

For starters, you can avoid taking long baths and close the tap when you’re brushing your teeth, for example. Hang and reuse your towels instead of requesting for a new one every day. Most hotels actually remind you to help save on water by leaving reminders in the bathroom, so be conscious about this.

• Minimise Your Power Usage

Help save electricity by turning the lights off when you leave your hotel room. You might think that you’re only one guest and it doesn’t make a difference, but if everyone does their part in saving electricity, we can actually save a lot of power.

Other simple changes you can make include not leaving your key card on the central power slot of your room when you go outside, and switching off appliances like the television and air conditioner when you leave the room.

• Use Reusable Bags or Eco-bags

It can be hard to avoid using plastic bags, especially when you have to make unexpected purchases on your trip. But because plastic bags literally take thousands of years to naturally decompose, a more sustainable approach is necessary.

A reusable bag made from fabrics like jute, cotton, and canvas is not only a more sustainable option, it’s also more durable, carrying heavy loads safely and comfortable. Unlike single-use plastic bags, you don’t have to worry about a reusable bag being thrown in the ocean and choking out marine life.

Reusable shopping bags are just that—reusable. If you take care of your bag, it will last years. Many establishments and cities all over the world even observe a no plastic bag policy, so it’s always good to have one of these reusable bags in handy. If possible, refuse plastic bags when buying from stores or souvenir shops.

• Avoid Products with Non-biodegradable Packaging

Travel size packages of shampoo and soap are indeed handy, but they also mean that you have to generate unnecessary waste.

Instead of buying soap and shampoo outside, use the complementary ones given at the hotel. If you’re only out for a short trip, pack your own bathroom necessities from home in a reusable container. If you’re travelling with a group, buy one big container of shampoo or soap and share instead of buying multiple packets.

• Travel In Small Groups

While it’s true that travelling in a large group can save money on package deals, travelling in smaller groups also reduces your impact on the environment.

Instead, try to travel in groups with fewer than 10 people. Look for a tour operator who’s conscious about environmental friendliness—they will typically ask about how many people you’re going to travel. Other perks of travelling in small groups include ease of getting around and lower likelihood of losing track of one another.

• Stay on Trail When Hiking

While a number of us think that the ideal adventure is trailblazing along unknown paths, trails and walking paths are there for a reason.

First, it ensures you stay safe and prevents you from getting lost. Second, staying on the path also means reducing the likelihood of eroding the entire hiking site and keeps human activity to a single trail. Paths also prevent you from stumbling across flora and fauna in an unsustainable manner.

• Choose a Carbon Offset Adventure

Try to plan your trip with the goal of minimising your carbon emissions.

For example, instead of going to an attraction requiring you to travel several hours away from the airport, why not look for something to do and see close by?

Instead of renting a motorcycle to drive around a small island, rent a bike. Use reusable items rather than disposable ones to cut on waste. The whole point is to be conscious about your carbon footprint and trying t be aware of the emissions created by your accommodations, transport, and activities.

• Buy Local

When travelling, you as a visitor help to put money into the local community and economy.

When purchasing clothing and souvenirs, check the label to make sure it’s local. Eat in local eateries and restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients. This not only helps the local economy, it also minimises the amount of fuel emission and waste from having to ship products and food overseas.

Being eco-friendly shouldn’t end with you leaving your home, it’s a lifestyle that needs to be taken with you no matter where you go. The little things matter, so do your part to help save the environment wherever you go.