Top tips on how to
make your holiday greener

• 

  Ben Fogle - Presenter, writer, adventurer

  

  Ben Fogle - Presenter, writer, adventurer

  “Whenever I’m visiting somewhere new, I always book a local guide.

  Their perspective and hospitality enriches the travel experience and you know you are putting money into the local community.”

• 

  Virginia McKenna OBE - Founder of the Born Free Foundation

  

  Virginia McKenna OBE - Founder of the Born Free Foundation

  “Please refuse to have your photo taken with so-called “domesticated” wild animals. Often stolen from their wild environment, or removed from their mother in captivity & hand-reared, they are often mistreated & eventually killed when they become too difficult. I really hope you will not condone this cruel exploitation. www.bornfree.org.uk “

• 

  Alastair Sawday - Founder of Sawday’s Special Places to Stay

  

  Alastair Sawday - Founder of Sawday’s Special Places to Stay

  "It is so easy to be carried away by the great food you discover on holiday, but don’t forget to ask yourself the same questions that you would ask at home.

  Who grew it? Where?  With what help from pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, growth promoters etc.?  Above all, then:  is it organic?"

• 

  Raymond Blanc OBE - Chef & restaurateur

  

  Raymond Blanc OBE - Chef & restaurateur

  "When I travel abroad, there is nothing I enjoy more than visiting small local, family-run restaurants.  I have made some great friends and many of my recipe ideas have come from eating in these wonderful places and from my childhood."

• 

  Sue Hurdle - Chief Executive, The Travel Foundation

  

  Sue Hurdle - Chief Executive, The Travel Foundation

  “Vote with your wallet and avoid souvenirs made from endangered or threatened species.

  While they may look beautiful, tropical hardwoods, corals, shells, animal skins and furs look much better in their natural environment.”

• 

  Lyn Hughes - Editor, Wanderlust

  

  Lyn Hughes - Editor, Wanderlust

  "Walk, cycle or horse ride while you are away. You will see and appreciate so much more, and get closer to the wildlife and the people.

  Go with a local guide for an even more enriching experience."

   

• 

  Henrietta Green - Food writer

  

  Henrietta Green - Food writer

  “Wherever I am, a highlight of the holiday is to go the market – see the produce, chat to stallholders (often in sign language!) & find out more about local food. 

  It’s the best way of getting a true taste of where you are & a chance to buy edible treats to take back home."

• 

  Steve Backshall - Presenter, Deadly 60 (CBBC)

  

  Steve Backshall - Presenter, Deadly 60 (CBBC)

  "For me the perfect holiday would be sea kayaking off the West coast of Scotland, yomping or climbing in the Welsh mountains, or surfing in Cornwall!

  So called stay-cationers are playing a great part in eco-tourism."

• 

  Harold Goodwin - Professor of Responsible Tourism Management

  

  Harold Goodwin - Professor of Responsible Tourism Management

  "Avoid the hotel shop and the tourist traps, buy locally produced crafts and souvenirs. Go to a local market, or better still track down the artist or craft worker and buy directly from them.

  It will be a better experience for you and you will be benefiting local people more."

• 

  Simon Reeve - Broadcaster

  

  Simon Reeve - Broadcaster

  “Read & learn about where you’re going before you leave. When you head off on your adventure, travel with open eyes & an open mind. None of us should now be travelling blind - learning more about the places we visit makes for a more interesting experience."

• 

  John Carter - Travel expert & former presenter

  

  John Carter - Travel expert & former presenter of Holiday and Wish You Were Here

  "If we are aware of the dangers of tourism, we can make it a force for good, improving lives & broadening minds. We must venture beyond the grounds of our hotels & meet the people of our host country, support their enterprises, understand & appreciate their lifestyles, learn not to waste their scarce resources."

• 

  Alice Roberts - Anatomist, author and broadcaster

  

  Alice Roberts - Anatomist, author and broadcaster

  "There's nothing I love better than pitching up on a cliff-top campsite somewhere in Devon or Cornwall. Wherever you're camping, tread lightly, clean up and leave the place as though you were never there."

• 

  Dr Xavier Font - International Centre for Responsible Tourism

  

  Dr Xavier Font - International Centre for Responsible Tourism

  "Sustainability means getting to enjoy the real side of a place.

  So ask companies how their sustainability actions will give you a more enjoyable holiday as well as helping make a difference"

• 

  Pat Riddell - Editor, National Geographic Traveller

  

  Pat Riddell - Editor, National Geographic Traveller

  “As people continue to travel further afield, the more reliant the economies of the world become on tourism. It's essential that this growth in travel & tourism is not mutually exclusive with destinations becoming sustainable in their own right."

• 

  Tony Hawks - Author & comedian

  

  Tony Hawks - Author & comedian

  “Writing my books would not have been possible without spending time with local people on my travels.

  Make the effort to communicate and learn a few words of the local language before you go. A little effort goes a long way and you will be rewarded ten-fold.”

• 

  Benedict Allen - Explorer

  

  Benedict Allen - Explorer

  “Be adventurous on your next holiday - venture out beyond the comfort of your hotel & I guarantee you’ll have a richer tale to tell when you come home. Meeting local people and experiencing their culture & something of their lives adds to the spice of any trip.”

• 

  Mark Carwardine - Zoologist

  

  Mark Carwardine -  Zoologist, presenter, conservationist, writer & wildlife photographer

  “Whatever you do, do not step on, touch or remove any coral when snorkelling or diving.

  It is extremely fragile, takes decades to re-grow and entire ecosystems depend on it.”

• 

  Kate Humble - Broadcaster

  

  Kate Humble - Broadcaster

  "If you are travelling to a developing country, rather than give out sweets and coins to kids which can encourage begging, check out www.stuffyourrucksack.com before you leave."

• 

  Rachel Bright - Illustrator

  

  Rachel Bright - Illustrator

  "The best kind of travel is the kind where you come back a little bit changed as a person.

  For me – that’s about making the most of every adventure by understanding the local culture, meeting local people & making a conscious decision to ensure the only impact I’m having is positive."

• 

  Jo Pratt - Celebrity Chef

  

  Jo Pratt - Celebrity Chef

  "Try something new - swap your usual food choices for locally-produced foods to get a real taste of the country.

  Many items also make great going home gifts, which will really support the local communities."