Buying local isn't just for food. When choosing accommodation, support local businesses that make an effort to use environmentally friendly water and waste systems, are designed in traditional building style and employ staff from the community. This doesn't mean you have to opt for the most basic of accommodations – by researching your destination, you will be able to compare businesses and their environmental practices. Health and wellness retreats are known to be eco-friendly vacation spots because of their focus on low-impact living.
Go for eco-friendly activities
Eco tours can be anything from responsible rainforest tours to horseback riding or relaxing wildflower and birding excursions. They allow visitors to have memorable experiences without leaving a mark on the environment. Hosts try to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and educate visitors on the local environment in order to preserve it as well as possible.
If you're heading out on your own, make sure you're swimming in regulated areas and not disturbing someone else's territory, like splashing in protected turtle mating grounds. Remember that other people will want to see the same sights in the future, so you don't want to leave any impact or take a freebie – coral reefs have suffered irreversible damage because everyone wants just a little piece. Also make sure to follow local guidelines – your regular sunscreen may seem innocuous, but it can have a devastating effect on wildlife, which is why many swimming areas ask you to use biodegradable sunblock or simply wear a shirt.
Pick up savvy souvenirs
Do you really know 25 people who will cherish a tiny piece of the Berlin Wall taped to a postcard? Many people are trying to curb their overconsumption at home, so don't hamper their efforts by bringing them souvenirs that aren't meaningful to them. They'll either gather dust on a shelf or end up in the garbage anyway. Limit what you buy to special items that you know aren't made with endangered species or wildlife products and support local economies so you know where your money is going. There is no point in buying a souvenir in Mexico with a "Made in China" label on the bottom! (Check out the WWF's Buyer Beware tips.)
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