Have a greener holiday
It seems like lately we have been inundated with new slogans - go green, reduce your carbon footprint, become energy efficient.
These may get a little tiresome and sound a tad confusing, but they are important issues that we do need to take seriously.
And luckily, it is not actually hard to go green, reduce your carbon footprint or become energy efficient - even when you are going on holiday.
A greener holiday
We have all been offered a plethora of tips on how to go greener in our homes. But what happens when we go on holiday? There is no need for your time off from reality to adversely affect the environment - just imagine, you will come home relaxed, refreshed and with a clear conscience to boot.
• Before you leave - turn off your water heater or set it to vacation mode - this will save energy and money. You can also turn off all your plugs as even when switched off, appliances still draw energy from these sockets.
• The journey - flying uses an incredible amount of energy. Where you can, consider holidaying locally so that you could drive to your destination or take a shorter flight. You will also be surprised at what is on offer in your own country and at how much cheaper it is. If you are flying, pack lightly - believe it or not, every gram makes a difference.
• Getting there - consider taking public transport to the airport if you are flying. Trains are the most efficient option and have the added bonus of letting you admire the scenery along the way, without worrying about keeping your eyes on the road.
• Where to stay - deciding on accommodation is an important part of a green holiday. Many hotels now offer green packages or are rated according to their contribution to environmentally aware practices.
Do a little research before you go and find a hotel or guest house that falls in line with your green principles. If you can't find a hotel that acts in a manner green enough for you, make sure that you leave a comment or suggestion with the manager about how they can improve their colour.
• Getting around - if you do need to hire a car, try and use a fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicle. If you can avoid using a car at all, make use of public transport or, even better, hire a bicycle and really get to know your destination.
• While you're there - don't neglect your good eco-friendly habits while you are on holiday. You can still switch off lights and appliances when you go out and you can even still recycle. You can also make a difference by not requesting clean towels and bedding everyday (I mean, who has a clean towel and sheet at home every day anyway?).
Another helpful hint is to make sure that you add some of the area's natural attractions to your itinerary. Frequenting and supporting places like blue flag beaches and World Heritage Sites will help contribute to their survival - and guarantees a spectacular experience for you.
• Buying stuff - whether you are purchasing food or souvenirs, try and buy local products. This means that there has been minimal transport involved in getting the goods there - reducing carbon emissions. Not to mention how much the locals will love you.
• When you're home - pass on your brochures (you know you pick up at least ten along the way) - someone else will appreciate them or you can recycle them.
• Flying in general - consider taking one longer holiday a year, as opposed to several shorter ones. This cuts down on several flights or car trips and lowers your personal carbon footprint.
If you do need to fly, try and take a direct flight and enquire if that airline has a carbon offset programme. These programmes take a small contribution from you and invest it in ecological projects in order to offset the damage you cause by flying.
GoTravel24 supports responsible tourism in South Africa and offers excellent advice on all travel-related issues. Their cost-effective, all-inclusive packages also ensure that everyone has the time and money to focus on going green on holiday.