There comes a time when piña coladas and roasting on the beach get a little old for some travellers, which is when they turn to voluntourism, a type of give-and-take trip. Visitors get to see a new place, meet new people and get hands-on experience somewhere away from home and that region or country benefits from their generosity through the time they spend volunteering. Winnipeg's Fairmont hotel has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity and now offers packages for travellers who want to build bedrooms by day and crash on a comfy bed at night. Opportunities farther from home include helping with reef cleanups and spending time on nature reserves.
Treat the earth like your home
If you keep your showers short at home to save water, do the same on vacation. Wasted water still takes a toll on the earth, even if you aren't paying for it. Remember to turn off the TV in your hotel room before you leave and turn down the air conditioning when you aren't there (and even when you are). Wherever you are is home to someone so maintain good habits no matter where you may be.
Eat local applies no matter where you are
Experience local flavour – literally - by trying local specialties when you're away. Many people believe the best way to experience a culture is through its food, so try locally grown produce and support independent, local businesses instead of the familiar burger chains you recognize from home. This is a great opportunity to try items we feel guilty about consuming at home because they have to be transported from so far away – and those tropical fruits will taste that much better in a tropical environment.
Green Living Blog
Find our how our editors are making their lives greener, plus submit your own stories – you could win a dishwasher or one of 30 other prizes!
Read more:
• Green gardening: eco-friendly lawn and garden ideas
• Travel idea: 9 reasons to visit Tulum, Mexico
• 6 green celebs and their eco causes
Comment reported
Thank you for reporting this comment as inappropriate.
Back to Comments »