Ultimately, you can shape travel trends. By being a responsible and well-informed traveller, you can preserve your destination’s natural and cultural environment and benefit the locals.
Tips
Do your homework. Look up information in websites and guidebooks prior to travel. Being sensitive to the local culture makes it easier for you to mingle with the locals and enriches your experience.
Leave no trace. Take out what you hauled in.
Skip the “exotic” souvenirs. Don’t buy protected flora and fauna species and products made from endangered animals or plants (e.g. sea-turtle products, feathers and ivory).
If you witness any illegal trading of protected species, inform TRAFFIC Southeast Asia at Tel: (03) 7880 3940. TRAFFIC is a wildlife trade monitoring arm of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and IUCN, or the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) at Tel: (03) 9075 2872.
Stick to designated trails. Keep a distance when you spot an animal in its natural habitat. Use binoculars and keep your voice down.
Support all things local. Hire local guides, consume locally prepared or produced food, use locally owned transport and buy locally made handicrafts whenever possible. Contribute to or volunteer for local conservation-oriented programmes.
Take the initiative. When visiting natural attractions like parks or a mangrove forest, avoid peak periods to lessen the impact on the place.
Report misconduct. Say you visit a so-called eco-resort and see emaciated caged gibbons on display, question the management. If you notice any environmental degradation or come across uncouth tour operators, notify the relevant parties like the state tourism office, Forestry Department or DWNP.
Choose wisely
Since there isn’t any widely recognised industry rating for eco-tour operators, find out which operator caters to your needs, has little impact on the environment, benefits the community and conserves natural resources.
Points to ponder
Your pre-trip information should include a detailed itinerary, tour description and the company’s guidelines in limiting tourism impact and conserving the environment and community.
Does the eco-tour operator have well-trained and experienced guides who can interpret the ecosystem and identify the flora and fauna endemic to a place?
Is the operator committed to local conservation? Some travel operators help locals develop conservation projects or donate to local NGOs who focus on environmental concerns.
Does the resort or tour operator benefit the locals? At an eco-lodge, does the company employ local staff, buy local produce and build the eco-lodge using local resources and labour?
A waste management policy? Does your tour operator advise you to use recycled products and biodegradable materials, and set good examples for environmental consciousness.
Does the operator take heed of the place’s carrying capacity? Does it limit the number of visitors to each attraction to minimise impact and preserve the natural area?
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