People love to travel so it is not a surprise that tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. But often countries that rely on tourism are more vulnerable due to a large influx of tourists exploring their local areas. You can ensure that you help preserve the locations and natures of the places you visit by making some minor changes to your travel habits. Here are a few tips on how you can become a more responsible traveller. 

Unplug household items. Turn off all of your household appliances before you go on your trip. Things such as your TV, computer, and kitchen appliances all draw electricity even in standby mode. Making sure they are all switched off is not only environmental friendly but will also help you save on your electricity bill.                                                

Connect with the local people. Connecting with the local people is a great way of discovering new places and things you might not see when travelling as a regular tourist. Use the public transport system, cycle and walk wherever you can. Talk to the local people to get tips and advice on everything from restaurants to activities, and help boost the local businesses on your holiday destination by buying local produce.

Try to travel less. Flying is bad for the environment as it allows us to travel further distances than we normally would.  Air travel also emits carbon dioxide into the environment which is the main greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. You can make a difference by reducing the amount you travel by plane or by choosing alternatives to flying. The Journey Planner is a great tool that can help you calculate your CO2 emissions.

Respect the nature and culture of the place you visit. It is good to read up a bit on the destination you are going to, and if you like languages try and learn a bit of the local language. You can ask your tour operator for advice on how to be a responsible traveller in your specific holiday destination, and see if there are any conservation projects going on that you can check out during your stay.

Finally, share your experiences with others. Did you find a great an easy way to incorporate sustainability into your trip? Maybe you went with a different tour operator this time or got involved in a social project that is still ongoing? Share your experiences with others to inspire more people to do the same. 

Have you found a way to be more eco-friendly while travelling? Share your tips with us in the comment box below.

This post was written by Nazila Maparzadeh at http://gemb.co.uk/author/gemb