With increased research and conversation about the environmental, economic and social impact of travel, families may be wondering how best to be a responsible traveler.
Ideas to consider:
1. Choose wisely.
Popular vacation spots such as Venice, Italy; the Galapagos Islands; Barcelona, Spain; and Macchu Picchu have begun taking steps to protect their destinations from the effects of overcrowding by managing access and establishing visitor fees. If you still plan to visit hot spots, consider an off-season trip when the crowds may be less of a concern. When researching your next family adventure, review second-tier cities, national parks with fewer visitors, uncrowded beaches or other locations not currently experiencing a high profile as holiday possibilities. Consider traveling with a tour operator that makes a strong effort to tread softly in each destination. Companies such as Intrepid, one of the first carbon-neutral tour operators, and G Adventures, a group adventure firm that helps develop tourism projects, are among those striving to find a balance in the travel equation.
Contact: www.Intrepid.com; www.GAdventures.com
2. Think green.
Just as you might at home, keep water usage low, avoid unnecessary packaging and plastics, and turn the lights out when departing your hotel room or vacation rental. Encourage the family to bring their own reusable water bottle and refill from large containers if the local water is not safe to use. Hop on local transportation, use bikes or walk whenever possible.
3. Tread softly.
Whether camping in the backcountry or day-hiking in a nearby state park, practice Leave No Trace principles to minimize impact and to avoid trail erosion, invasive species, polluting water and other unintended consequences. Be sure to plan ahead, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, respect wildlife and be considerate of other visitors.
