Are you a green tourist
Tourism around the world is so popular that in certain places, it affects and even causes damage to the sights that the tourists have come to see. It is important to think about the economic, cultural and environmental effects of being a tourist. So, before you go on holiday, here are some suggestions on how to be a green tourist.
1 Use public transport. If everyone uses their cars, pollution and traffic congestion will become an enormous problem.
2 Stay in small hotels and eat local food. It's important that the money you spend on accommodation and food remains within the local area.
3 Travel out of season. It's the best time to avoid crowds, and it's often cheaper as well.
4 Think of yourself as a guest, not a tourist. As a tourist, you're simply a source of money.
5 Learn the local language. If you make an effort to speak their language, you'll be able to talk to local people, and they are likely to be even more hospitable.
6 Be careful about taking photos. In some places, people are embarrassed when you take their photo. Find out what the local custom is.
7 Find out about the place you're visiting. It's very impolite to the local people if you're only there because of the weather and don't want to know anything about where you are.
8 Use less water than at home. In certain places, the authorities supply the big hotels with water.
9 Use local guides. This will create jobs and help the local economy.
10 Adopt the local lifestyle. If you don't appreciate being in a foreign country, why leave home in the first place?
Adapted from The Good Tourist by Katie Wood and Syd House
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