Our Role as Ecotourists – Oz Travel Tips for Travelling Eco Friendly
With the opportunity to travel comes a new responsibility to all travellers to ensure that our activities do not impact negatively on the cultures and environments that we choose to visit.
Travel is an enlightening and life changing adventure, however be aware that the choices we make while travelling do have an impact.
Tips to Travelling responsibly:
Make changes in your day-to-day lifestyle:
Introduce environmental practices into your everyday life such as using energy saving appliances, low energy bulbs, reduction of waste and litter and the use of environmentally friendly detergents.
When travelling, ensure that these practices are maintained away from home and use local energy and water efficiently. Check soaps or detergents are biodegradable and when camping wash yourself or dishes away from streams or lakes. Never litter and recycle where you can.
Visit Marine Parks, National Parks and World Heritage Sites and follow the care codes:
Tourist fees support the care and management of Australia’s Marine and National Parks, your visit assists in preserving the natural and cultural value of World Heritage sites.
Your payment of the Environmental Management Charge (EMC) contribution assists the Marine Park Authority with the management and protection of the reefs. Tourists contribute over $8 million each year to look after the Great Barrier Reef.
You can also help to keep the Great Barrier Reef Great, by practising responsible snorkelling and diving techniques and by not feeding, touching, taking or disturbing coral or any marine life when visiting the reef.
When visiting National parks keep to marked trails, do not take plants or nature based keepsakes and do not disturb wildlife or cultural sites. Check camping gear and shoes to remove seeds before entering the park, adhere to fire bans and take all rubbish out with you.
Respecting cultures:
Responsible travel involves more than just being a passive observer. Try to get to know the culture you are visiting, both for your own personal enrichment and also to avoid accidentally offending those around you with different beliefs and views. Read up on local conventions and dress appropriately.
Be sensitive to when and where you take photos/video of people and always ask first.
Support operators accredited by the Respect of Culture Program (ROC) certification which indicates they are an endorsed Indigenous Tourism Business. This program recognizes sustainable business and environmental practices as well as the observance of cultural protocols, particularly through the acknowledgement of the diversity of Indigenous Australia and consultation.
Responsible souvenirs:
As a responsible traveller it is essential that you are aware that the trade in many natural products is illegal under international guidelines. In order to help preserve local wildlife and habitats, you should be aware that certain products are banned and will be confiscated by customs upon arrival to your home country. When travelling, do not buy rare and endangered species or heritage artifacts.
Participate in conservation projects:
You can get involved in a range of voluntary environmental projects while you travel such as …
· Make each dive count by participating in PADI Project AWARE Coral Watch monitoring program.
· Australia’s National Clean-Up day and PADI Project Aware Clean-Up day.
· Volunteer projects run by organisations such as Earthwatch or Conservation Volunteers Australia.
Support Eco certified tourism products:
Ecotourism experiences offer stimulating insights into Australia’s natural areas while ensuring minimal impact to the environment. Eco Certification allows travellers to Australia to identify and support operators who meet the benchmark.
Tips for Reducing Carbon emissions when travelling:
Nearly every activity of every person and every company contributes directly to carbon dioxide emissions and hence to global warming. Flying is no exception in this regard.
You can reduce the number of flights you take each year by taking fewer but longer holidays, as shorter flights and multiple stop-overs are more polluting per passenger mile than longer flights.
When you fly, choose to offset the carbon emissions of your flight and opt for a responsible holiday that respects, benefits and helps to conserve local communities, customs and environments.
While travelling you can choose to support tour operators who are committed to fuel efficiency strategies and have completed carbon audits and who participate in carbon offsetting programs.
At Tribal Travel we believe each person around the world needs to reduce their total emissions each year. There are hundreds of different ways we can do this. By making changes in your day-to-day life to reduce your overall carbon emissions you can ensure that these changes will save more carbon than cutting out a flight.
Ensure your actions will result in a healthier planet and enjoy travelling responsibly with Oz Net Travel.